UPCOMING CLINICAL EXCHANGE WORKSHOP
From research to policy: advocating for Brain Health
April 26 2024 | 2pm UK time | Register
The time to address the global burden of neurological diseases is now. With ample data and the landmark WHO's Intersectoral Global Action Plan, engaging policymakers is imperative. But how do we translate evidence into policy? Skillful advocacy is the key. Join our expert panel to discuss essential ways in which doctors, researchers and members of the public can use advocacy to contribute to global action on neurological diseases.
Chair: Prof. Mayowa OWOLABI, MBBS, MSc, DrM, MD, DSc, FRCP, FAAN, FAS
Professor of Neurology | Director of the Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria | Regional Vice President World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation
Professor Owolabi’s expertise spans neurology, brain health and global health as well as implementation science, translational community-based genomic epidemiology of non-communicable diseases, and the study of hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. He is Principal Investigator on a number of groundbreaking initiatives such as: African Rigorous Innovative Stroke Epidemiological Surveillance (ARISES), Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) - the largest study of stroke on the African continent, and the Systemic Investigation of Blacks with Stroke using genomics (SIBS-Genomics), which focus on stroke epidemiology and genetics. He is the pioneer Regional Vice-President (Africa), and member of the Presidium, World Federation of Neurorehabilitation (Africa); member Board of Directors, World Stroke Organization; African Regional Director, World Hypertension League; Lead Co-Chair, WSO- Lancet Commission on stroke; and Member/Rapporteur of the WHO Technical Action Group on NCD (Research and Innovation).
Speakers:
Dr Justin Jordan, MD, MPH, FAAN | Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical
Dr Jordan's clinical interests are in primary nervous system tumors, neurofibromatosis type 1, and schwannomatosis. His research interests are in the identification and targeted treatment of molecular drivers of tumor formation. He is a leader in defining and measuring quality care across multiple diseases in the neuro-oncology space. Dr. Jordan is passionate about the intersection of health policy and the practice of medicine; he chairs the Board of Heath in his local government, runs the Center for Health Policy and Advocacy within the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, serves as Vice Chair of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)’s Health Policy Subcommittee, as a member of the AAN’s Brain Health Committee, and as a member of the organizing team for the AAN’s Brain Health Summit in 2022 and 2023. Finally, Dr. Jordan is a steadfast advocate for health policy improvement, leading the AAN’s Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum in 2023, and currently serving on the board of directors for two large disease-specific advocacy organizations.
Mr Sam Mountney | Policy and External Affairs Manager, Neurological Alliance
The Neurological Alliance is England’s largest coalition of over 90 neurological advocacy organizations. Sam led the delivery of My Neuro Survey, the largest national neurological patient experience survey in the UK. He was previously seconded to National Voices, the leading coalition of health and care charities, as Head of Policy and spent three and a half years at Epilepsy Action heading up their health policy and campaigning efforts. Prior to joining the third sector, Sam worked for a Member of Parliament managing their Westminster office after completing an MA at the University of Leeds and a BSc at the University of Birmingham.
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PREVIOUS CLINICAL EXCHANGE WORKSHOPS
Using virtual technologies to improve training in global neurology
22 March 2024
The World Health Organisation estimates that the median number of neurologists in sub-Saharan Africa is 0.3 per million people. How can we build capacity in global neurology and use technology to do so? Can technology help patients gain quicker or more effective access to care for neurological conditions? In this clinical exchange we will hear how telemedicine is being used to manage and provide education on Movement disorders in Africa and also about the implementation of Teleneurology for Electroencephalography (EEG) in Zambia.
Chair: Dr Ali S. Shalash MD, PhD Professor of Neurology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Dr Shalash is the founder of the first movement disorders clinic at his institute, an active member of Egyptian Society of Neurology, and the Clinical Coordinator of Egyptian Network of Neurodegenerative Diseases (ENND). He organized the first movement disorders society (MDS) School for Young Neurologists in Africa (in Cairo, Egypt) and other several national and international, live and online educational activities in the field of movement disorders. Recently, Ali has been nominated as Consultant with the WHO for launching of Parkinson disease: a public health approach: technical brief and PD global disparities.
Speaker: Dr Melody Asukile MB.ChB, MMed (Neurology), FC Neurol (SA) Adult Neurologist and Lecturer at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
Dr Asukile is one of Zambia's first Zambian neurologists. She has a special interest in epilepsy and recently completed a clinical epilepsy fellowship at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She directs the national EEG laboratory at the UTH and is a tutor on a 6-month online EEG course. Together with Prof Deanna Saylor, she helped set up a teleneurology clinic in Zambia during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Clinical experiences from two decades of HIV related meningitis research in Uganda
23 February 2024
How can we use randomised control trials to improve care in global neurology? How can we improve diagnostics for central nervous system infections in low income settings? In this clinical exchange we will hear about some of the work being done to drive improvements in screening, treatment and policy in the fields of tuberculous and cryptococcal meningitis.
Chair: Professor David Meya MBChB, MMed, PhD
Associate Professor at Makerere University, Uganda and Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota.
His particular specialty is in central nervous system infections and HIV Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). Dr Meya leads multi-site studies on cryptococcal meningitis and TB meningitis treatments and outcomes. His role extends to the implementation of a national cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening program, contributing to improved policies for the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis. He currently chairs the Advanced HIV/TB Technical working group at the Ministry of Health.
Speakers:
Dr Lillian Tugume M.MED, MPH
Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Uganda
Lillian Tugume is an internal medicine physician based at the Infectious Diseases Institute in Kampala with additional training in public health. Her primary research interest is implementation of evidence based diagnostic and treatment strategies for neurologic syndromes in resource limited settings. She has been involved in clinical care, research and community engagement related to HIV associated meningitis in Uganda for nine years. In addition to implementing clinical trials on cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculous meningitis, Lillian has provided clinical care for >1000 patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis as well as hundreds of patients with TB meningitis. Lillian is currently a global health research fellow investigating the utility of cerebrospinal fluid C- reactive protein for diagnosis and prognosis of TB meningitis.
Dr Abdu Musubire MBChB, M.MED, MSc, CTropMed
Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Neurology Unit, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Uganda
From 2001-2005, Abdu Musubire was a medical officer joining the frontlines of the global HIV pandemic. He became a national trainer in the integrated management of Adolescent and Adult Illnesses (IMAI) that paved way to the national rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda. These experiences gave him exposure to national surveillance and policy implementation of health services in a resource limited setting. He has worked on a number of research trials including the Cryptococcal Optimal ART Timing (COAT) Trial from 2010-2013 and as a co-investigator on the Adjunctive Sertraline for the Treatment of HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis (ASTRO-CM) study 2014, and currently HARVEST trial and ENACT trials. His career goal is to study cost effective diagnostics and cost effective approaches to manage neuroinflammatory disorders in resource limited environments.
Opportunities in Global Brain Health with the World Federation of Neurology
What programmes, resources, and tools are available to improve brain health? How can we develop successful local or national programmes for improving brain health? In collaboration with the World Federation of Neurology, we will share available resources and discuss real-life case studies.
Chair: Professor Alla Guekht MD, PhD, Director of the Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry and Professor of Neurology at the Russian National Research Medical University.
Her main research interests are focused on epilepsy after stroke and traumatic brain injury, somatic and psychiatric co-morbidities in epilepsy, social issues (epidemiology, QOL, stigma). She is Elected trustee of the World Federation of Neurology, Treasurer of the International League against epilepsy, co-chair of the “Follow-up and long term impact working group meeting COVID-19 NeuroForum”. She has been involved in many WHO projects in epilepsy and brain health.
Download the presentation [pdf 8mb]
Speaker:
Dr Deanna Saylor M.D., M.H.S. Associate Professor, Director of the Global Neurology Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
Dr. Deanna Saylor is a neuro-infectious diseases specialist, Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of the Global Neurology Program and Global Neurology Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Saylor has been living and working full-time in Zambia as Director of the first and only neurology post-graduate training program in Zambia. She also leads the only inpatient neurology service in the country at the University Teaching Hospital and has helped to launch Zambia’s first teleneurology service.
The Zambia neurology story [ppt 7mb]
Neurosurgical Health for all: A realistic target or a wishful vision? Setting Priorities in Neurosurgical Care
In 2022, the WHO published its first action plan on neurological disorders, marking a milestone towards Brain Health for all. But what does it mean for neurosurgery? What are the challenges and pragmatic solutions involved in making high-quality neurosurgical care universally accessible? Join our distinguished panel of experts as we discuss the effective strategies for diverse settings and gain a comprehensive understanding of the global landscape of neurosurgical care.
Chair: Professor Kee Park, MD, MPH
Director of Policy and Advocacy and Lead, Global Neurosurgery Team, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School
Chair, Global Neurosurgery Committee, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies
In 2013, Prof Park volunteered with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery to support Cambodian neurosurgeons. As a Consultant in Neurosurgery at the Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh and head of the Cambodia Neurosurgery Support Project, he taught neurosurgery and conducted research on head and spine injuries. Prior to Cambodia, he was the Director of Spine Surgery at the Myungsung Christian Medical Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2009 to 2013).
Speaker: Associate Professor Abenezer Tirsit
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Addis Ababa University | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
He is currently an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Addis Ababa University, and had been working as a neurosurgeon at Black Lion Hospital since December 2014. Assoc Prof Tirsit is also a Clinical PhD candidate at the University of Bergen, Norway. He is a member of the following Boards: Ethiopian Medical Association (EMA); WFNS Global neurosurgery committee; EC member of CAANS; and WFNS Senior delegate for Society of Ethiopian Neurological Surgery Professionals. Previously Assoc Prof Tirsit was President of Society of Ethiopian Neurological surgery professional, 2019-2023, and Head of Neurosurgery Division, Department Of Surgery: Addis Ababa University, 2022-2023.
Speaker: Dr Tariq Khan MBBS, FRCS
Neurosurgeon, Northwest General Hospital & Research Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan
Dr. Tariq Khan is the Dean of Northwest School of Medicine located in Peshawar, Pakistan, and a Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Northwest General Hospital & Research Centre. Dr. Khan is the immediate past Chair of the Neurotraumatology Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Currently he is the Coordination Lead of the Global Neurosurgery Committee WFNS.
Paediatric Brain Infections
Infections of the central nervous system are life-threatening in children. In this interactive session we will discuss tuberculosis meningitis, the most devastating form of tuberculosis, which even when treated has a 20% mortality rate in children and leaves over 50% of survivors with a neurological disability. We will also discuss ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection, an often-neglected cause of neurological infection in children which is associated with increased risk of seizure disorders, decreased intellectual performance and increased mortality. We invite all clinicians, academics, policy makers and allied professionals who are interested to join.
Chair: Dr Stephen Ray, M.Phil, MRCPCH, MRes, DTM&H, PhD
Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Oxford, UK
Dr Ray is a paediatric registrar, currently undertaking sub-specialty training in paediatric infectious diseases. His research aims to improve the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of critically ill children with life-threatening infections, with a focus on brain infections, particularly in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Dr Ray’s Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellowship was primarily based in Malawi (2018-2022), collaborating with the Blantyre Malaria Project and Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust. During this period he was also PI on a national study investigating the neurological manifestations of COVID in children.
Speakers:
Professor Van Toorn, MD, PhD
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Prof Ronald van Toorn is a pediatric neurologist. He is currently a full professor of Pediatrics and Child health at Tygerberg Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (SU). He obtained his MBChB from SU in 1992, MRCP from the Royal College of London in 1996, FCP (Pediatrics) from the College of Medicine in South Africa in 1999 and the Certificate in Pediatric Neurology in 2005. He obtained a PhD on the diagnosis and management of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children at Stellenbosch University in 2015. His field of study is pediatric neurology with a research interest in neuro-infectious diseases (especially tuberculous meningitis), neuro-metabolic disease, neonatal neurology and epilepsy, especially its management in resource-constraint settings. His main focus has been in the field of childhood TBM, and his work has added unique insights into the understanding of childhood TBM diagnosis, complications and treatment. He has written on various aspects of TBM, including numerous collaborative reviews and three book chapters. He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and a Scopus h-index of 24. He is an established member of the International TBM research consortium and is considered a global expert on Pediatric TBM, which includes a collaborative effort in understanding TBM, epidemiology, diagnostics and complications especially stroke, treatment and advocacy. Last year he contributed to the WHO expert consultation panels on a shorter regimen for pediatric TBM (the WHO has adopted the short 'Cape Town' regimen for drug susceptible TBM in children).
Dr Alemayehu
Associate Professor and Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist
American Medical Center and St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dr Tinsae Alemayehu is a paediatric infectious diseases specialist and an Associate Professor of Paediatrics based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He also serves as the Vice President of the African Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and has been recognized as an emerging leader in infectious diseases by the International Society of Infectious Diseases (ISID) in 2022. His research interests are in paediatric antimicrobial stewardship, congenital infections and inborn errors of immunity.
How to use patient and public involvement to improve global brain health
Patient and public involvement is about patients actively contributing through discussion to decisions about research design, acceptability, relevance, conduct and governance from study conception to dissemination. Occasionally patients lead or do research too. During this meeting, we will hear practical examples from patient organisations and people affected by neurological conditions about their approach and involvement in PPI, and why it is so valuable. Examples will be drawn from a range of settings, including clinical research, public policy and campaigning.
Chair: Georgina Carr | Chief Executive at the Neurological Alliance
Georgina joined the Alliance in January 2020. Prior to this role, Georgina worked for the MS Society, overseeing their work to campaign for improved MS treatment, care and support. Georgina is also patient and public voice representative on the NHS England Neurology Clinical Reference Group and the Co Chair of the Patient and Public Voice Reference Group for the Acquired Brain Injury Strategy.
Georgina has a close connection to MS and traumatic brain injury, and is passionate about raising the bar of neurological treatment, care and support across the country. Prior to working at the UK MS Society, Georgina worked on EU health policy for the consultancy Burson Marsteller.
Twitter: @NeuroAlliance
Website: https://www.neural.org.uk/
Speaker: Dr. Ava Easton | Chief Executive, Encephalitis Society
Dr Ava Easton is Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society, a researcher and global expert on encephalitis patient outcomes and quality of life.
She has produced and published many papers, book chapters, and a book (Life After Encephalitis) on various aspects of encephalitis and its after-effects. She also speaks at conferences and lectures around the world on the condition and its impact for patients and their families.
Her expertise also extends to neuro-narratives, narrative medicine, and patient and public engagement.
Ava is involved in a number of research studies looking into the processes and outcomes of encephalitis and is an Honorary Senior Fellow in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Liverpool, UK.
She is member of the Global Neuro Research Coalition; member of the Steering Committee and Chair of the PPI arm of The COVID-Clinical Neuroscience Study (CNS). She is also Co-Investigator and Chair of the Patient and Public Involvement Panel for the Brain Infections/COVID Neuro Global Study, an Ambassador for the European Brain Injury Council, and a member of the Royal Society of Medicine, the American Academy of Neurology, and the European Academy of Neurology.
Ava acts as a consultant to various media (radio and television) on encephalitis and acquired brain injury.
Twitter: @encephalitisava
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ava_Easton
Download presentation [pdf, 26mb]
Speaker: Prof. Dr Bindu Menon | M.D. (Med.), D.M. (Neuro), DNB. (Neuro), PGDCN (Neuro),(London), FRCP (Edinburgh), MNAMS. FICP, FIAN, FWSO, FAAN | www.drbindumenon.com
Prof. Bindu Menon is the Head of Department Apollo Hospitals actively involved in research and outreach activities for stroke and epilepsy. She is member of the Research and world stroke campaign committee member of WSO and a recipient of the Mridha Spirit of Neurology award, A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition, and World Stroke award among others.
She founded the Dr. Bindu Menon foundation; SSO in August 2013, which is a representative of the WHO South East Asia Region and the life time Network member of NCD Alliance. She has been instrumental in starting several novel projects for the first time in the country: “Neurology on wheels”; Tele awareness Programme; Stroke app “Stroke help”; and Epilepsy help app.
Download presentation [pdf, 38mb]
Implementing WHO’s neurology revolution: challenges and opportunities in managing epilepsy
June 30 2023
Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects about 50 million people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of those affected live in low-middle-income countries, with three-quarters not getting adequate treatment. In addition, those affected face stigma from their community. In this session, experts in the field will discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing epilepsy.
Chair: Professor Gagandeep Singh, MD, AM, FAMS, FRCP (London), FIAN, FICP. Professor & Head, Department of Neurology at Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India. Honorary Associate Professor at UCL, London, UK. Secretary General of Indian Epilepsy Association.
Speaker: Dr Tiwonge Phiri MBBS Neurologist, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi
Learning Objective - Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants.
Building capacity in global neurology
The increasing burden of neurological disorders calls for a prompt and targeted action to improve access to the neurology care worldwide. One of the pillars of the WHO's intersectoral action plan is building capacity in global neurology. Using his experiences from USA and Zambia, Dr Mashina Chomba will discuss strategies on how meaningful improvements can be made on the ground in settings with variable resources.
Chair: Professor Sam Nightingale MBChB, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Cape Town.
Speaker: Dr Mashina Chomba MBChB, MMed Neurology Consultant Neurologist, Department of Internal Medicine at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia Dr Chomba is one of Zambia's first locally trained neurologists. He graduated from the University of Zambia School of Medicine where he attained his medical degree and later his Master of Medicine degree in Neurology. He also completed a research fellowship in neuroinfectious diseases at Columbia University in New York, USA, in 2021 and is currently an NIH Fogarty Global Health Fellow. Dr Chomba’s research focus is on the epidemiology of neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, in Zambia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Learning Objective - Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants.
Promoting intersectoral action for brain health: a focus on dementia
The World Health Organization has outlined the need for intersectoral action to improve brain health around the world - but how do we achieve this? Our chair, speaker and panel will discuss using intersectoral approaches in dementia, covering both the healthcare setting and community. We will describe practical approaches that can be taken with limited resource.
Chair: Professor Mohamed Salama MBBCH, DTQM, PhD
Professor at the Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology, the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
Mohamed is leading the Egyptian Longitudinal Study of Aging to try to reshape the current understanding of aging. He obtained his medical degree in 1999 from Mansoura University, Egypt where he began his clinical training. He received his MSc in Toxicology in 2006 and through a DAAD scholarship his PhD degree in Neurotoxicology in 2011 through collaboration with Philipps University in Marburg, Germany.
Good Food is Vital for Brain Health So We Must Change the Food Industry | Baker Institute
Speaker: Professor Eléonore Bayen MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine at Sorbonne University and Director of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Department of Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris.
Eléonore holds a medical degree in Neurology (2008) completed with a qualification in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and a PhD in Economics (2015). She has a dual background in Neurosciences and Health Economics. She has expertise in neurology, in cognitive impairment and in the management of complex disability situations. Her research focuses on synergistic patterns of social-economic and medical handicap and also the impact of multimorbidity in the process of loss of autonomy, including prediction-prevention of disability and of acquired vulnerability according to the ICF - WHO approach. To raise awareness of Brain Health Eléonore launched the MyBrainRobbie initiative in 2019, which aims to empower children and teenagers in the domain of brain health and, more broadly, promote equity in brain health in society at large; it has been translated in 7 languages.
Co-creative dance program for people living with dementia [pdf 96kb]
Implementing WHO’s neurology revolution
Chair: Dr Nicoline Schiess, MD, MPH Technical Officer, World Health Organisation (WHO), Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, Brain Health Unit.
Nicoline Schiess is a technical officer working in the Brain Health Unit in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use at the World Health Organization. In this role she serves as the point person for various adult neurological disorders as well as assists in the implementation of the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, a global plan of action for neurological disorders.
Dr Marie-Pierre Preziosi MD, PhD Lead Meningitis and Co-Lead R&D Blueprint for Action to prevent epidemics World Health Organisation (WHO), Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals.
Dr Preziosi is leading on the Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030 at the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as co-leading on the R&D Blueprint for action to prevent epidemics. From 2012-2014, she was director of the Meningitis Vaccine Project, a partnership between WHO and PATH, established in 2001. The project mission was to eliminate epidemic meningitis as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa through the development, testing, introduction and widespread use of meningococcal conjugate vaccines.
This is an open session for policy makers, academics and clinicians organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Neurology & COVID-19 Global Forum and The Global Health Network.
Developing tools to deliver neurological Universal Health Coverage
This interactive session will discuss different tools to ensure neurological health care is universal for all. Including a global inter-observer variability study reviewing the in-patient Case Record Form used by the COVID-CNS team, supported by the WHO and WFN and conducted across 14 countries in high, middle and low income settings.
Chair: Prof. Njideka Okubadejo, MBChB, FMCP, FAAN | Professor of Neurology and Consultant Neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
She is the first female neurologist and first female tenured Professor of Neurology in Nigeria. Her main research interest is in Movement Disorders in Africa (particularly genetics and epidemiology).
Speaker: Dr Arina Tamborska, MD National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool and Department of Neurology, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
Dr Arina Tamborska is an academic clinical fellow in neurology at the University of Liverpool and a neurology registrar at the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust. Following graduation from Edinburgh Medical School, she pursued academic clinical training at King’s College London before moving to Liverpool. Her research interests include neurovascular disease, neuroepidemiology and developing tools for clinical research harmonisation. Learning Objective -Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants
Movement disorder
Dr Sundus Alusi, Consultant Neurologist, The Walton Centre, Liverpool UK.Dr Alusi subspecialises in movement disorders including Huntington's Disease, Deep brain stimulation and tremor disorders. She was the clinical lead for movement disorders at The Walton Centre 2020-2022.
Speaker: Dr Nestor Nsengiyumva, MD, Neurology lecturer, Hope Africa University Faculty of Health Sciences, Bujumbura, Burundi, Honorary Neurology Consultant, Burundi National Police Hospital, Bujumbura, Burundi
Dr Nestor Nsengiyumva is a Consultant Neurologist in Burundi. He did a six month clinical training fellowship in Movement Disorder at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK with Dr. Sundus Alusi and Dr. Antonella Macerollo in 2019-2020, funded by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, European Section.
COVID-19, de novo seizures, and epilepsy
In this highly interactive session we will discuss several clinically relevant questions on the association of COVID-19 with epilepsy/seizures:
- Is the risk of COVID-19 contraction increased in patients with epilepsy?
- What is the incidence of de novo seizures in people with COVID-19? Clinical cases with variety of forms of de novo seizures in COVID-19 will be demonstrated.
- Are acute symptomatic seizures frequent in patients with COVID-19 disease? The risk factors and diagnostic strategies will be discussed.
- What is the impact of COVID-19 and pandemic on the occurrence of the non-epileptic (functional) seizures?
- What is the frequency and etiology of seizures in post-COVID condition?
Chair: Professor Alla Guekht MD, PhD, Director of the Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry and Professor of Neurology at the Russian National Research Medical University.
Her main research interests are focused on epilepsy after stroke and traumatic brain injury, somatic and psychiatric co-morbidities in epilepsy, social issues (epidemiology, QOL, stigma). She is Elected trustee of the World Federation of Neurology, Treasurer of the International League against epilepsy, co-chair of the “Follow-up and long term impact working group meeting COVID-19 NeuroForum”. She has been involved in many WHO projects in epilepsy and brain health.
Speaker: Professor Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, M.D. Dr. Asadi-Pooya is a Professor of Epileptology, at the Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. He is also an Adjunct Research Associate Professor of Neurology, Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. He did his fellowship in “epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology” at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA in 2006-2008, and a second epilepsy fellowship on “Invasive intracranial EEG monitoring” in 2014-2016.
He has established an Epilepsy Care Unit and epilepsy surgery program with a multidisciplinary team in 2008 at Namazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. He has also founded the Shiraz Epilepsy Research Center in 2020. He has published more than 290 papers and 12 books about various aspects of epilepsy.
One Health and neurological disorders – an interdisciplinary multi-health approach
One Health uses an interdisciplinary and at times transdisciplinary approach to look at the interconnection of human, animal and environmental health in the context of infectious and non-infectious diseases and beyond. The One Health concept is hardly ever used in the context of neurological disorders but has recently gained traction through its inclusion in the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. This will attract attention but foremost curiosity about how the One Health concept could best be implemented for neurological disorders. We will shine some light on this intriguing approach by presenting classical One Health neurological cases such as rabies and neurocysticercosis.
Chair: Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea S. Winkler
Co(joint)-director Center for Global Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Prof. Winkler is a specialist neurologist, a senior researcher and the co(joint)-director of the Center for Global Health at the Technical University of Munich. She is also the founding director, now deputy director, of the Centre for Global Health at the University of Oslo, where she holds a full professorship in Global Health. Prof. Winkler has 20 years of experience with both clinical work and research in countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Her special interest lies with poverty-related neglected diseases of the infectious as well as non-infectious nature, global neurology/mental health and global One Health.
Speaker: Assoc Prof. Dr. Fan Kee Hoo, MRCP
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Associate Professor Dr. Hoo Fan Kee is a neurologist, general physician and senior lecturer at the University Putra Malaysia. He is currently the chairman of Malaysian Stroke Council and ex officio member of Malaysian Society of Neuroscience.
Global Brain Health Clinical Exchange Platform – Critical Care of the Neurological System in COVID-19
This interactive session covered critical care of the neurologic system.
Chair: Assistant Professor (Dr) Sherry H-Y Chou, Associate Professor of Neurology (Neurocritical Care). Chief of Neurocritical Care in the Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
Dr. Sherry Chou is a physician-scientist with expertise in clinical neurology, neurocritical care and vascular neurology and award-winning mentor. Dr. Chou founded and leads the large Global Consortium Study on Neurological Dysfunction in COVID 19 (GCS-NeuroCOVID) and serves as an invited member to the World Health Organization forum on neurological impacts of COVID 19.
Speaker: Dr Ayush Batra, MD
Assistant Professor Department of Neurology (Neurocritical Care) and Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
Ayush Batra, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and practicing Neurocritical Care Physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, USA. He completed his neurology training at the combined Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, in Boston, MA, USA, where he subsequently completed fellowship training in Neurocritical Care. Dr. Batra’s research interests bridge immunology, vascular biology, and neuroscience, and seek to understand inflammation-mediated mechanisms of acute neurologic injury.
Learning Objective
-Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants
Brain Health Clinical Exchange Platform: Neurological Infectious Diseases: Focus on Diagnosis & Management of Brain Infections
27 May 2022
This interactive session will cover pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis of major infections of the brain, including meningitis, encephalitis and abscess. We will additionally discuss acute involvement of the nervous system in COVID-19.
Chair: Dr Benedict Michael
Speaker: Dr Bhagteshwar Singh, MBChB MRCP DTMH
Lead fellow for the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Brain Infections & MRC-funded COVID-Neuro Global research programme in Brazil, India and Malawi.
Clinical Research Fellow in the Liverpool Brain Infections Group, and senior clinical trainee in Infectious Diseases.
Brain Health Clinical Exchange Platform: A focus on headache
29 April 2022
In this interactive workshop, we will discuss the detection and characterisation of headache in high, medium, and lower income settings.
This is an open session for policy makers, academics and clinicians organised by The Global Health Network.
Chair: David García-Azorín MD PhD MSci
Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Spain. Spanish Society of Neurology board.
Speakers:
Professor, Dr. Med. Director Rigmor Højland Jensen, Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen
Dr. Marcio Nattan Souza, Coordinator of the Headache Fellowship Program at University of São Paulo and member of the Education Committee of the International Headache Society.
Learning Objective
-Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants
Brain Health Clinical Exchange Platform: A focus on paediatric neurology
25 March 2022
In this interactive workshop, Assoc Prof Roa will discuss clinical cases in paediatric neurology, including pediatric NeuroCOVID/MIS-C. This is an open session for policy makers, academics and clinicians.
Chair: Ass Prof (Dr) Ericka Fink
Associate Professor of Critical Care Medicine and Paediatrics, Dept of Critical Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
Speaker: Assoc Prof Juan David Roa, MD MSc
Associate Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Intensive care, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, LARed Network, SLACIP
Learning Objective
- Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants
Brain Health Clinical Exchange Platform: Coma - Approach to encephalopathy
25 February 2022
In this interactive workshop, Asst Prof Omar Siddiqi will discuss the approaches taken to the encephalopathic patient in high, medium, and lower income settings.
This is an open session for policy makers, academics and clinicians.
Asst Prof (Dr) Omar Siddiqi:
Assistant Professor of Neurology & Director of Global Neurology Program, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, USA.
Chair
Prof (Dr) Kameshwar Prasad:
Professor of Neurology. Director & Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Learning Objective
- Gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants
Brain Health Clinical Exchange: Acute neurology in resource-limited settings: tackling clinical dilemmas using decision analysis
24 January 2022 | 2 PM (London, GMT)
Prof Aaron Berkowitz: Professor and Director of Global Health, Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine (USA); Health and Policy Advisor, Partners In Health; Senior Specialist Consultant, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
Chairs
Dr Kiran Thakur: Neurologist, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, USA Consultant, World Health Organisation: Brain Health Unit
Dr. Biniyam A. Ayele: Department of Neurology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Post-Doctoral Neuroinfectious Fellow, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, USA
Decision Analysis to Address Clinical Dilemmas in Resource-Limited Settings, Aaron Berkowitz MD PhD | Download presentation [pdf 1.8mb]
Brain Health Clinical Exchange: ’Seizures in the Fields’…Using Public Health to Address Neurologic Illness
30 November | 2 PM (London, GMT)
In this interactive workshop, Dr James Sejvar from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will use a recent outbreak investigation to outline how public health professionals go about solving medical mysteries.
The Brain Health Clinical Exchange is co-organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Neurology & COVID-19 Global Forum and The Global Health Network.