2025 FPA Conference Speaker: Wolfgang Liedtke, MD, PhD Presentation: Medication Management — Managing Neuropathic Facial Pain with Medication Wolfgang Liedtke, MD, PhD, is a German-American neurologist. He is a corporate executive at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals where he is the Neurology Chair within Regeneron’s Global Development – Genetic Medicines research area. Dr. Liedtke also holds positions as an Elected Member of the New York University Pain Research Center, an Adjunct Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, and an Adjunct Professor of Neurology at Duke University in Durham, NC. Dr. Liedtke, as a basic research scientist, first described the TRPV4 ion channel in 2000 while at Rockefeller University. Then, after moving to Duke University (where he was an academic professor from 2004 to 2021), his research group made foundational discoveries related to the genetic mechanisms that govern nerve cells’ ionic balance and excitability. He has now published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles that have been referenced more than 20,000 times. As a clinician, he founded two clinics within Duke Health to provide care for patients with trigeminal pain, other forms of nerve pain, and refractory pain in the context of comorbidities across the medical and dental spectrum. He has gained patients’ enduring trust as a doctor who provides empathetic, yet science-based medical care. A long-term supporter of the FPA and grantee of the Facial Pain Research Foundation, in 2021, he was selected to join the Medical Advisory Board of the FPA. His webinars on medications for the treatment of trigeminal neuropathic pain are popular and have been watched over and over again by members of the facial pain community. Learn more about 2025 FPA Conference topics, speakers, the weekend's agenda, and more by visiting https://www.facepain.org/2025-fpa-in-person-conference/ (fb)

In honor of the FPA's 35th anniversary this year, we are interviewing members of the facial pain community about their story and impact. Danielle Clements, who had hemifacial spasm before she received an MVD from Dr. Sekula, is serving as our 35th Anniversary Special Correspondent and conducting these interviews. We are honored to have Dr. Sekula as our first interviewee. Raymond F. Sekula, Jr., MD, MBA is the Director of Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery and a Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Neurological Institute at Columbia University. He also serves as the National Chairman of the FPA Medical Advisory Board, in addition to holding numerous other prestigious positions. With over 100 published papers and studies on neurological conditions, Dr. Sekula has personally and significantly advanced the field of microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. His unmatched expertise has made him a highly sought-after surgeon for patients living with conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). What truly distinguishes Dr. Sekula, however, is not only his exceptional medical and surgical skill but also his genuine humanity and passion for helping others. As a recent and deeply grateful MVD surgery/HFS patient of Dr. Sekula, Danielle had the distinct privilege of sitting down with him to discuss his journey to become a neurosurgeon as well as his love of and dedication to treating patients suffering from facial pain and discomfort. Read the interview by visiting https://www.facepain.org/blog/5-questions-for-35-years-with-dr-raymond-sekula/ (fb)