Course of Neuroepidemiology:

First Central Asian Course on Neuroepidemiology

Dates: December 1-6, 2025
Location: ​Technopark (Maxim Gorky Street, 1/2), Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Organization: WFN Special Group of Neuroepidemiology and the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM)

On behalf of the Organizing Committee and the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM), we are delighted to welcome you to the First Central Asian Regional Course on Neuroepidemiology, taking place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from December 1-6, 2025.

This landmark event brings together distinguished experts, researchers, and young professionals from across the region and beyond to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and advance the field of neuroepidemiology. The course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of current trends, methodologies, and challenges in neurological research and practice, with a focus on regional needs and global perspectives.
We look forward to fruitful discussions, networking opportunities, and the creation of sustainable partnerships that will contribute to the development of neuroepidemiology in Central Asia.

We warmly welcome all participants to Bishkek and wish you an inspiring and productive course!

Teaching team:

• Professor Walter A. Rocca Minnesota, U.S.A.
• Professor Giancarlo Logroscino Bari, Italy
• Professor Jeremiah A. Aakre Minnesota, U.S.A.
• Professor Carlos N. Ketzoian Montevideo - Uruguay
• Dr. Thibaut Gelle - (IENT), Limoges, France.
• Dr. Andrea Erazo - (IENT), Limoges, France.

Coordination:
Dr. Kenesh Dzhusupov - Department of Public Health, Head International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

DAY 1 – Sunday November 30, 2025
ARRIVAL AND ACCOMMODATION

DAY 2 – Monday, December 1, 2025
Morning – SURVEYS IN NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY (8:30 – 12:15)
8:30 – 9:00 – WELCOME –
9:00 – 9:15 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE - Walter Rocca
9:15 – 10:00 – BASIC IDEAS AND TERMINOLOGY - Walter Rocca
10:00 – 10:45 – POPULATION SURVEYS (PART 1) - Walter Rocca
10:15 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 – POPULATION SURVEYS (PART 2) - Walter Rocca
11:45 – 12:15 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
12:15 – 14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon – (14:00 – 18:00)
14:00 – 16:15 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a descriptive survey - Carlos Ketzoian - Walter Rocca
16:15 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a descriptive survey - final considerations - General discussion
17:00 – 17:30 – ALS RESEARCH: EPIDEMIOLOGY, GENETICS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE IN LATIN AMERICA AND FRANCE- Andrea Erazo - Thibaut Gelle
17:30 – 18:00 – CONFERENCE
18:00 – 18:30 – OPENING CEREMONY

DAY 3 – Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Morning – ANALYTIC STUDIES (9:00 – 12:15)
9:00 – 9:45 – ANALYTIC STUDIES: OVERVIEW - Walter Rocca
9:45 – 10:30 – CASE-CONTROL STUDIES - Walter Rocca
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 – COHORT STUDIES - Walter Rocca
11:45 – 12:15 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
12:15 – 14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon – (14:00 – 18:00)
14:00 – 16:15 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a case-control study - Walter Rocca
16:15 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a case-control study - - final considerations - General discussion
17:00 – 17:30 – Second presentation of the Limoges group
17:30 – 18:00 - CONFERENCE

DAY 4 – Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Morning – CLINICAL TRIALS (9:00 – 12:15)
9:00 – 10:30 – CLINICAL TRIALS - Giancarlo Logroscino
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 - INFERENCES FROM EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCHES -
Giancarlo Logroscino
11:30 – 12:15 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
12:15 – 14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon / Free

DAY 5 – Thursday, December 4, 2025
Morning (9:00 – 12:15)
9:00 – 10:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a cohort study - Walter Rocca
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a cohort study - final considerations
11:30 – 12:15 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
Afternoon – (14:00 – 19:00)
14:00 – 16:15 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a clinical trial - Giancarlo Logrscino
16:15 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – a clinical trial - final considerations - General discussion
17:30 – 18:00 - CONFERENCE - HOW TO CARRY OUT AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN LOW FREQUENCY (RARE) NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES - Giancarlo Logroscino

DAY 6 – Friday, December 5, 2025
Morning – STATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY (9:00 – 12:15)
9:00 – 9:45 – USE AND MISUSE OF STATISTICS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY - Jeremiah A. Aakre
9:45 – 10:30 – IMPORTANCE VERSUS SIGNIFICANCE - Jeremiah A. Aakre
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 – CONFOUNDING AND INTERACTION - Jeremiah A. Aakre
11:45 – 12:15 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
12:45 – 14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon – (14:00 – 18:00)
14:00 – 15:00 - DIAGNOSTIC TEST - Carlos Ketzoian
15:00 - 16:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – diagnostic tests - Carlos
Ketzoian - Jeremiah A. Aakre - Walter Rocca
16:30 – 17:00 – Coffee Break
17:00 – 17:30 - HOW TO READ A PAPER – diagnostic tests - final
considerations - General discussion
17:30 – 18:00 - ACADEMIC CLOSURE OF THE COURSE - Walter Rocca
GENERAL CLOSURE OF THE COURSE

DAY 7 – Saturday, December 6, 2025
DEPARTURE