MND Australia, in collaboration with the Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS), is excited to bring the PACTALS Congress and the 12th MND Australia Care Forum to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7-9 September 2025.

The PACTALS Congress brings together scientific experts in MND/ALS research from the Asia-Pacific region, along with global leaders in the field. The PACTALS Congress will be the premier MND research conference in Australia for 2025 (MND Australia will not be running a separate research symposium in 2025).

In conjunction with the three-day PACTALS Congress, we are also pleased to host our 12th MND Australia Care Forum on Tuesday 9 September 2025.

The Care Forum will showcase the latest developments and best-practice in MND care, and is ideal for health professionals, service providers and others who support people living with MND, including people living with MND and their carers.*

Conference attendees will have the choice of attending one, two, or all three days. On Tuesday 9 September, both the MND Australia Care Forum and a full day of PACTALS Congress sessions will run concurrently.

*Registration is free of charge for people living with MND and their carers.

The draft program for the 12th MND Australia Care Forum is available below. Registrations for the Care Forum can be completed at pactalscongress.com


PROGRAM

12th MND Australia Care Forum


0900–1030SESSION 1: OPENING KEYNOTE

Welcome and opening remarksMND Australia
How to be your best friend: The power of resilience and self-compassionDr Oliva Ong
Update on the latest in MND managementProfessor Steve Vucic
Dare to demand betterTodd Johnson
1030–1100Morning tea break
1100–1230SESSION 2: WELLBEING AND COMMUNICATION

Building from the ground up: Reimaging the ideal MND care landscapePanel discussion
Tips and tricks on wellbeing and communication, not to just survive by thrive with MNDLeanne Sklavenitis
Exploring preferences for management of cognitive and behavioural changes in MNDRebecca Francis
'Invest' in your voice: How a novel co-designed voice banking service supports people with MNDLilian Krikheli
The all encompassing nature of care in MNDSally Neville
Sleep for people with MND and their families in New Zealand: A questionnaire studyNatalie Gauld
1230–1330Lunch break

1330–1430SESSION 3: THE LATEST IN EVIDENCE-BASED CARE

Developing the Australian MND Guideline: A collaborative, evidence based approach using grade methodologyZachary Munn
Exploring the narrative behind the numbers: Using data to improve care and support for those living with MNDVictoria Tull
Exploring the uptake of non invasive ventilation by people with MND in Australia: A qualitative studyMarnie Graco
Trial and triumphs in community based respiratory care for adults with MND: West Australian experienceJuliet Travlos
Bridging health equity gaps for Australians with MND: Co-designing solutions with the MND communityKaren Hutchinson
Dysphagia in neurodegenerative diseases: Implications for swallowing, dry mouth and oral healthVictoria Perchyonok
Enhancing MND care: Evaluating the effectiveness of in person MND upskill workshopsSadaf Warraich



1430–1505SESSION 4: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN CARE AND SUPPORT


International Network for ALS Research and Care (INARC) 
Juliette Foucher

International Alliance of ALS/MND
Cathy Cummings

Lived experience perspective
Paula Trefiak
1505–1530Afternoon tea
1530–1615SESSION 5: INNOVATIONS AND NEW HORIZONS

Amplifying the lived experience of MND voice in AustraliaJulie Labra & Phil Camden
Developing a MND Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to increase global knowledge, understanding and awareness of MNDSharn Perry
Continuing the game in spite of the beast: Supporting gaming accessibility for people with MNDAlicia Edwards
Occupational therapy meets Mcgyver – Solving functional challenges with creativity and innovationSarah Soloman
Meeting the assistive technology needs of people with MND – NSW and VIC collaborative modelAlicia Gibb
1615–1700SESSION 6: CLOSING KEYNOTE

Lived experience perspective

MND – Past, present and futureProfessor Paul Talman
Closing remarksMND Australia


Poster presentations

Innovations in MND care: An affordable strategy monitoring weight at home – Timothy Sheehy

Innovations in MND care: Achieving quality of life goals for ventilated individuals through access to hydrotherapy. A case study – Timothy Sheehy

The role of the MND palliative care clinician in MND education in Victoria – Jane Turton

Lunchtime sessions: Free online MND education for all – Jane Turton

Descriptive analysis of patients with MND who underwent voluntary assisted dying – Dev Nathani

Emotional adjustment and MND: The benefits of an in house counselling program for people with MND and their families – Bethany Lisa Bradhurst

Directing care towards the carer: Empowering carers to support loved ones with MND – Meg Sinead O'Connor

The experience of suffering in ALS: A case repor – Ang Chui Munn

An evaluation of the Alssqol Sf in the Malaysian context through cognitive interviewing – David Paul Capelle

Mapping suicide helpline services in the PACTALS region: Addressing needs for people with disabilities – Nguyen Tran Minh Duc

The impact of blood lipid classes on risk of developing ALS: A systematic review and grade analysis – Amber Rae Sewell Green

Survey of constipation in Australians with MND using the Lived Experience Network – Barry Werth

Prioritising the factors influencing non invasive ventilation uptake by people with MND: A modified Delphi study – Kylie Anne Russo

Structure based and flexible ligand docking alongside co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry based Mazor X robotic spinal neurosurgery: A translational research to alleviate central canal stenosis in elderly – Priscilla Clarita Neda Br Sirait

Evaluating the impact of weight loss and accuracy of predictive energy equations in Australians with ALS – Amber Rae Sewell Green

From team to model: Embedding true multidisciplinary care for people living with MND in the community – Daniel Patrick Charny

Meeting the assistive technology mneeds of people with MND: NSW And VIC collaborative model – Alicia Gibb

Development of a specialty driven home palliative care service in MND – Punitha Krishnan