THE AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL STROKE CONFERENCE 2026 COMES TO NEW ORLEANS FEBRUARY 4- 6

More than 5,000 global stroke and brain health leaders convene for the world’s premier cerebrovascular science meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 4, 2026

WHO/WHAT
The American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2026 (ISC26) takes place Feb. 4- 6, 2026 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

ISC26 is the world’s premier scientific meeting focused exclusively on stroke and brain health science. The conference brings together global leaders in cerebrovascular research, clinical care, prevention, rehabilitation, and recovery to share practice changing science and shape the future of stroke care.

The educational meeting will feature more than 1,500 scientific presentations across 22 categories, expanded global collaborations, new abstract tracks, an enhanced Simulation Zone, Fireside Chat sessions, and five Digital Oral Poster Theaters designed for real time engagement. Attendees represent more than 50 countries, with international participants accounting for over 80 percent of professional attendees.

Patient centered programming is a core focus of ISC26. More than 50 stroke survivors and caregivers, including 10 to 15 from the Greater New Orleans area, will participate in the Stroke Connection on Feb. 4 and 5. Survivors are embedded directly into the conference to ensure lived experience informs conversations around prevention, treatment, recovery, maternal health, and rehabilitation, strengthening the science through real world perspective.

The meeting coincides with major developments in stroke care, including new stroke treatment guidelines and recent data identifying stroke as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Significant scientific announcements and medical advancements are expected throughout the conference.

More than 5,000 attendees are expected including neurologists, clinicians, researchers, and innovators from more than 50 countries. Over 80 percent of professional attendees travel internationally with strong representation from China, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and beyond.

WHEN
February 4-6, 2026

WHERE
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

  • News Media Center, 3rd Floor, Room 342 / Interview Room 341
  • Newsroom Hours
    • Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 and 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Friday, February 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: https://professional.heart.org
Hashtag: #ISC26

CONTACTS
Media are welcome to attend and may register onsite at the conference Media Newsroom.

Interview opportunities include local stroke survivors, national stroke experts, and American Stroke Association leadership discussing new science, updated guidelines, and the importance of integrating patient voices into stroke research and care.

  • Survivors and experts will be available for onsite interviews Feb. 4 and 5, with advance and post event interviews available upon request.
  • Executive spokesperson Suzanne Grant, Vice President of Communications, is available for media interviews and can assist with coordinating interviews with researchers and speakers.

ASA:  Suzanne Grant, Suzanne.Grant@heart.org, 727.271.7325

New Orleans & Company: Kelly Schulz, kschulz@neworleans.com, 504-421-0962;
Rhonda Cook, rcook@neworleans.com, 504-616-6161