School of clinical neurology in Southern Kazakhstan: Results of the regional conference 2025

On February 17, 2025, the important Regional scientific and practical conference "School of clinical neurology in Southern Kazakhstan" was held in the city of Taraz. The event gathered leading specialists from the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and rehabilitation to discuss the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system diseases. The conference focused on modern diagnostic techniques, pharmacotherapy, and clinical practices in neurology.
The conference began with welcoming speeches from Nazira Asanova Zharkinbekova, Chair of the "Neurologists Association of Southern Kazakhstan", Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry, Rehabilitation, and Neurosurgery at SKMA, MD, Professor, and Aigul Askerevna Momunalieva, Chief Freelance Neurologist of Jambyl Region, Head of the Neurological Center at the Regional Clinical Hospital. They emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange among specialists to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment in neurology.
The first session, moderated by Nazira A. Zharkinbekova and Bakhyt Myrzalieva, Assistant Professor of Neurology at KRMU and Coordinator for NMZ UOZ, featured several important reports. Among them was a presentation by Bakhyt Myrzalieva on "Modern methods of diagnosing spinal muscular atrophy: from genetic testing to clinical assessment." This presentation highlighted the role of genetic testing in diagnosing rare diseases, providing a more accurate and timely diagnosis for patients.
Moreover, the conference provided an excellent platform for residents to present their research and clinical cases. For instance, Eldar Baurzhan, a second-year neurology resident at the department of neurology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and neurosurgery at SKMA, presented a rare clinical case of funicular myelosis, sparking an active discussion among attendees. Also, Olzhas Kalzhan, a second-year neurology resident, shared insights into progressive supranuclear palsy, providing valuable perspectives on the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.
Another notable presentation was by Aigerim Bazarova, a second-year neurology resident, who shared her experience diagnosing and treating the rare "stiff person" syndrome. Her case presented a complex clinical challenge and was met with keen interest from both young specialists and seasoned experts. The residents’ contributions highlighted their growing role in addressing current medical challenges and their commitment to scientific and clinical practice.
The session also included a report by Aigul Askerevna Momunalieva on the role of early diagnosis in predicting the course of diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy. She emphasized the importance of identifying "red flags" that could influence treatment strategies and accelerate diagnosis.
After a welcome coffee break, the conference continued with a session on "Modern principles of epilepsy pharmacotherapy," presented by Nazira Asanova Zharkinbekova. In her presentation, she discussed the latest approaches to epilepsy treatment, including new medications and methods that significantly improve patients' quality of life.
One of the highlights of the conference was a presentation by Zholdasova Zhibek Allilulaevna, Director of the Center for Neurotic Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease Treatment, who outlined diagnostic algorithms and approaches to providing care for Alzheimer's patients. The focus was on the necessity of an integrated approach to treatment, from early diagnosis to multi-level rehabilitation.
The second half of the day featured thematic sessions on myasthenia gravis, the differential diagnosis of diseases in the spectrum of optic neuromyelitis and multiple sclerosis, as well as atherosclerosis and other neurological disorders. These sessions were characterized by active discussions, allowing participants to exchange practical insights and treatment strategies.
The conference concluded with an engaging discussion session, where both young specialists and experienced experts shared their views. One of the key topics was the need for closer integration between scientific research and clinical practice to introduce new developments into everyday medical care.