MS Among Research and Discussion Topics at 24th World Congress of Neurology

Some 4,000 science experts from 126 countries will gather at the 24th World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2019) to discuss cutting-edge research, including advances in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Hosted by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the Emirates Neurology Society, the conference will run Oct. 27–31, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Climate change and brain health, the connection between stroke and dementia, new data on gene therapies and neurodegenerative disorders, and the latest in brain-machine interfaces will also be among topics discussed.

With its theme “Accelerating the Pace of Change,” the event will be attended by leading scientists, public health experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Regarding MS, educational presentations and courses will include a day-long teaching course on Oct. 27 titled “Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Disease.” The next two days will feature research presentations on “MS & Demyelinating Diseases,” and s scientific session on Oct. 29 will focus on “MS and Demyelinating Disorders.”

“Our congress emphasizes the importance of brain health, inspiring researchers and patients alike by showcasing extensive, high-quality scientific research, and educating with teaching programs unique to this congress,” William Carroll, MD, WFN president, said in a news release.

In tandem with the World Health Organization, the WFN seeks to foster high-quality neurologic care and brain health globally, with an emphasis on underserved regions.

“Every two years, the congress is held in a different quadrant of the world to promote improved neurological care and accelerate research advancements around the world,” Carroll added.

This year, the event will present news conferences on stroke and migraine that will be live-streamed on the World Federation of Neurology’s Facebook page.

Among others, participating MS experts include Xavier Montalban, PhD, neurology director at the University of Toronto and director of the MS Centre of Catalonia at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona; and Alan Thompson, FMedSci, dean of the faculty of Brain Sciences at University College London.

“This is an exciting time for the field of neurology as healthcare professionals and researchers have come together in a movement toward global brain health and better access to care,” said Wolfgang Grisold, the WFN’s secretary general.