Samar Antoine Abbas, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Chief of Section, Residence Program Director, Neurology

Dr. Abbas earned her Medical Degree (MD) from Saint Joseph University in Beirut in 2012. She completed her residency training in Neurology at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut. She subsequently pursued advanced fellowship training in Clinical Neurophysiology at Henri Mondor University Hospital in Créteil, France, with a focus on neuromuscular disorders. She further specialized in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring at Georges Pompidou European Hospital and Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris, as well as pediatric clinical neurophysiology at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris.

Dr. Abbas has contributed to the development of clinical neurophysiology services in Lebanon, including the implementation of small fiber neuropathy testing for the evaluation of pain and peripheral neuropathies. She was also involved in the establishment of a multidisciplinary spine center at Bellevue Medical Center in Beirut.

Dr. Abbas is actively engaged in research, with publications in the fields of clinical neurophysiology, multiple sclerosis, and pain disorders. Her current research interests include pain syndromes, sensory disturbances, and neurophysiological assessment in multiple sclerosis.

In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Abbas is actively involved in medical education and serves as the Neurology Residency Program Director at LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital. She also serves as a consultant in clinical neurophysiology to several hospitals locally and internationally, and is a member of multiple professional societies and scientific committees.

Professional and Research Interests

• Research in clinical neurophysiology 
• Pain and numbness
• Development of small sensory fiber studies

Education and Training

•  M.D Degree, Faculty of Medicine,  Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, 2012
• Internship in Internal Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, 2012-2014
• Residency in Neurology, Saint Joseph University Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, 2014-2016
• Fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology (EEG, EMG, EP) - Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, Paris, France, 2017
• Fellowship in Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuromuscular Biopsy - Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, Paris, France, 2017
• Specialized Medical  Training Diploma in Clinical Neurophysiology , Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, Paris, France, 2018
• Specialized Medical Training Diploma in Small Sensory Fiber Neuropathy Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, Paris, France, 2018-2019
• Pediatric Clinical Neuroelectrophysiological Explorations, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Paris, France,  2019

Professional Memberships and Organizations

• French Neuromuscular Disorders Society
• Lebanese Society of Neurology

Selected Publications

• Abbas SA, Chebly A, Harb F, Salameh R, Azar A, Hanna C, Ibrahim A, Khalil C. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources and their secretome in multiple sclerosis therapy: a single-center experience. J Reg Med Biol Res. (2026) 7(1):1–9. doi:10.46889/JRMBR.2026.
• Abbas, SA, Costa J, Saba J, Matta C, Abboud H. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis: etiologies and common diagnostic pitfalls. Neuroimmunol Rep. (2025) 7:100255. doi:10.1016/j.nerep.2025.100255.
• Khalil C, Chebly A, Harb F, Antoun F, Akouche K, Khalil R, Azar A, Khalil M, Chaar B, Abbas S, Hanna C, Ibrahim A. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome-based therapy for neurological disorders: a scoping review. Stem Cell Discov. (2024) 14:1–19. doi:10.4236/scd.2024.141001.
• Lefaucheur JP, Abbas SA, Lefaucheur-Ménard I, Rouie D, Tebbal D, Bismuth J, Nordine T. Small nerve fiber selectivity of laser and intraepidermal electrical stimulation: a comparative study between glabrous and hairy skin. Neurophysiol Clin. (2021 Aug) 51(4):357–374. doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2021.06.004.
• Abbas SA, Chalah MA, El Helou J, Abboud H, Ayache SS. Gaze holding abnormalities as an inaugural event in multiple sclerosis: a case report. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. (2020 Nov) 198:106136. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106136.
• Makhoul J, Ghaoui N, Sleilaty G, Koussa S, Abbas S, Azar C, El Helou J. Restless legs syndrome among multiple sclerosis patients in Lebanon. Mult Scler Relat Disord. (2020 Jun) 41:101997. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2020.101997.
• Abbas SA, El Helou J, Chalah MA, Hilal H, Saliba G, Abboud H, Ayache SS. Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis in an immunocompetent older individual: a rare complication of varicella-zoster virus reactivation. Medicina (Kaunas). (2019 May) 55(5):201. doi:10.3390/medicina55050201.
• Abbas SA, Abboud H, Chalah MA, Sabbagh C, Ayache SS. Isolated mammillary bodies damage: an atypical presentation of Wernicke syndrome. Behav Sci (Basel). (2018 Nov) 8(11):104. doi:10.3390/bs8110104.

Keywords

Neuromuscular disease, pain, numbness, neuropathy, spine evaluation, cervical and lumbar pain, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , epilepsy, dementia, memory loss, stroke, multiple sclerosis, headaches, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, parkinson’s disease, tremor