Course of Neuroepidemiology:

First Central Asian Course on Neuroepidemiology

Dates: December 1-6, 2025
Location: ​Garden Hotel, Mederova street, 115, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Organization: WFN Special Group of Neuroepidemiology, the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM) and Kyrgyz State Medical Academy named after I.K. Akhunbaev (KSMA)

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM) and the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KSMA) 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 - Mayo Clinic - Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.
• Professor Giancarlo Logroscino - University of Bari - Bari, Italy
• Professor Jeremiah A. Aakre - Mayo Clinic - Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.
• Dr. Thibaut Gelle - PhD in Public Health and Epidemiology - (IENT), Limoges, France.
• Dr. Andrea Erazo - MD, PhD in Public Health and Epidemiology - (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
INTRODUCTION AND 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, Part 1 – Walter Rocca
16:15 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Descriptive Survey, Part 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00 – 17:30 – ALS Research: Epidemiology, Genetics and Clinical Practice in Latin America and France – Andrea Erazo
17:30 – 18:00 – Conference: Multiple Sclerosis in Kyrgyzstan: A Clinical–Immunological Correlation Study – Dr. Asel T. Zhusupova
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, Part 1 – Walter Rocca
16:15 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Case-Control Study, Part 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00 – 17:30 – Capture–Recapture Methods in Epidemiologic Surveys – Thibaut Gelle
17:30 – 18:00 – Conference: Prevalence and Structure of Neurological Pathology in Children: Regional Aspects and Risk Factors – Dr. Asel Sh. Kadyrova

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 Research – Giancarlo Logroscino
11:30 – 12:15 – General Discussion
12:15 – 14:00 – Lunch Break

Afternoon: Free

DAY 5
Thursday, December 4, 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
12:15 – 14:00 – Lunch Break

Afternoon (14:00 – 19:00)14:00 – 16:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Cohort Study, Part 1 – Walter Rocca
16:00 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Cohort Study, Part 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00 – 18:00 – How to Carry Out an Epidemiological Study in Low Frequency (Rare) Neurological Diseases – Giancarlo Logroscino

DAY 6
Friday, December 5, 2025 Morning
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS (9:00 – 12:15)9:00 – 9:45 – Diagnostic Tests: General Considerations – Giancarlo Logroscino
9:45 – 10:30 – How to Read a Paper – Diagnostic Tests – Giancarlo Logroscino, Jeremiah A. Aakre
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:15 – How to Read a Paper – Diagnostic Tests: Final Considerations & General Discussion – Giancarlo Logroscino, Jeremiah A. Aakre
12:30 – 14:00 – Lunch Break

Afternoon (14:00 – 18:00)14:00 – 16:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Clinical Trial, Part 1 – Giancarlo Logroscino
16:00 – 16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 – How to Read a Paper – A Clinical Trial, Part 2 – Giancarlo Logroscino
17:30 – 18:00 – Academic Closure of the Course – Walter Rocca
General Closure of the Course – Kenesh Dzhusupov

DAY 7
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Departure