Conference details: XXIII WCN 2017, Kyoto, Japan, 16-21 September 2017
Report from: WCN press office
Published online: 27/9/17
Brain health is moving up in the political agenda – New Neurology Atlas shows global resource and treatment gaps
In the run-up to the World Congress of Neurology in Kyoto the new “Neurology Atlas” was published. Even though there has been progress in the availability of neurological care worldwide and great improvement is being made in diagnostic and therapeutic tools, appalling disparities in the availability of treatment do persist. This treatment gap remains to be closed, experts point out. The good news is that the important impact of brain health on global health is increasingly recognised by international organisations and political decision makers.
Three Nobel Prize laureates address World Congress of Neurology in Kyoto
Three Nobel Prize laureates addressed the XXIII World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2017): Prof Edvard Moser from Norway, Prof Susumu Tonegawa (Japan/USA) and Prof Shinya Yamanaka from Japan. The WCN 2017 was organised by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and co-hosted by the Japanese Society of Neurology and Asian and Oceanian Association of Neurology.
Palliative care in neurology helps patients and their caregivers
At the World Congress for Neurology in Kyoto, experts discussed the growing significance of palliative medicine in neurological practice. Studies show that this form of care not only helps patients to cope better with their symptoms and problems but also with their family and caregivers.
Multiple sclerosis: Experts discuss emerging treatment goals
New drugs and better understanding of the underlying pathological processes behind the condition have led to significant improvements in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the past 20 years. Professor William Carroll gave an overview of therapy options highlighting the emerging treatment goals at the World Congress of Neurology.
Education and global knowledge transfer improve neurological care worldwide
More than 8,000 experts gathered at the XXIII World Congress of Neurology in Kyoto. The event not only included an extensive education and training programme – ongoing education activities that aim to boost standards globally were furthermore presented.
New findings from dementia research: Why some people are resilient to memory loss
90+, plaques in the brain yet still mentally fit: Experts at the World Congress for Neurology discussed why some people are more susceptible to develop memory loss symptoms and others are not. New studies show what keeps people cognitively healthy.
Blood fats play key role in peripheral neuropathy for patients with type 2 diabetes
While glycemic dysfunction is an important risk factor for peripheral neuropathy in diabetes, a new study presented at the World Congress for Neurology demonstrates that obesity and dyslipidemia also have a considerable impact. Study author Prof Eva Feldman calls for a concerted global action and research efforts on diabetic neuropathy due to its ever growing prevalence.
New epilepsy classification helps with orientation in diagnosis and therapy decisions
There are different types of epilepsy: In years of work, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has devised a new classification system for this complex and varied disease. It was presented at the congress.
New assessment scale offers uniform standards to ascertain level of consciousness
More than half a dozen different examination scales are currently in use worldwide for assessing the level of consciousness of critically ill patients. At the congress, researchers of the USA presented a new, composite tool that enables uniform assessment and could contribute to improved communication between different disciplines.
Contact sports do not put neurocognitive performance at risk
From football to karate – concerns have been growing in recent years that contact sports such as these are not only responsible for repetitive head injuries but are also associated with long-term neurocognitive impairment. However, these concerns appear unfounded, as confirmed in a study presented at the World Congress of Neurology.
New dementia test enables diagnosis in 15 minutes
A group of Indian researchers presented a new 15-minute assessment to monitor dementia patients on an ongoing basis. The reliable telephone interview assessment technique opens up new possibilities for early detection as well as treating and monitoring Alzheimer’s patients.
School-based instruction on strokes can save lives and help to prevent lasting disabilities
In the treatment of strokes, every minute gained can save lives or reduce the extent of lasting damage. Japanese doctors presented an effective educational programme for school children and their parents. It not only heightens awareness of this life-threatening disease, but also helps to shorten the time before emergency services are contacted.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) patients suffer more frequently from gastrointestinal dysfunction
Lewy bodies are responsible for one in five dementia cases. Research is just starting to look at the side effects associated with these abnormal deposits of protein. Japanese researchers illustrated the effect of the disease on the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, a number of additional abstracts of potential interest can be found here.
