The IV Central Asian Neurological Forum Brought Together Regional Specialists in Almaty

On February 27–28, 2026, the IV Central Asian Neurological Forum “Current Issues of Clinical Neurology and Neurorehabilitation” was held in Almaty, bringing together leading experts, scientists, and practicing physicians from the countries of Central Asia, Russia, and Tajikistan.

The Forum opened with welcoming speeches by: the Rector of Bukhara State Medical University, Professor Shukhrat Zhumaevich Teshaev; the Head of the Department of Neurology, Pediatric Neurology and Medical Genetics of TMA of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chief Neurologist of Uzbekistan, First Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Neurologists of Uzbekistan Madjidova Yokutkhon Nabievna; the Head of the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Chief Neurologist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Turuspekova Saule Tleubergenovna; the President of the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases of KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov Nurguzhaev Erkyn Smagulovich.

The regional session of the Forum was held in the city of Bukhara — in the conference hall of Bukhara State Medical University under the chairmanship of Professor, Head of the Department of Neurology Khodjaeva Dilbar Tadzhievna.

The main goal of the Forum was to unite regional experts to accelerate the implementation of modern standards for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases. Special attention in the scientific program was given to stroke, myasthenia, neurodegenerative diseases, rare nervous system disorders, and neurorehabilitation. The Forum became a platform for shaping a regional strategy for the development of neurological care — from scientific research to the implementation of new approaches in clinical practice and specialist training.

The event demonstrated strong interest from the medical community. On the first day of the Forum, in addition to in-person attendance, 2,816 online participants joined; on the second day, 1,104 online participants connected. Specialists were also provided access to recorded presentations for one month.

As part of the scientific program, presentations and clinical case discussions were delivered by leading specialists. Among the participants and speakers of the Forum were:

Mirdzhuraev Elbek Mirshavkatovich — MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Neurorehabilitation of the Center for the Development of Professional Qualification of Medical Workers of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

Zharkinbekova Nazira Asanovna — PhD, Professor, Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychology of the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Chief Neurologist of the South Kazakhstan Region (Shymkent, Kazakhstan);

Yeszhanova Laura Yerkenovna — PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Neurology of NCJSC “MUA” (Astana, Kazakhstan);

Grigolashvili Marina Archilovna — PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Rehabilitation of NCJSC “MUK”, President of the Karaganda Association of Neurologists (Karaganda);

Kudaibergenova Aigul Serikovna — PhD, Head of the educational course;

Izbasarova Akmaral Shaimerdenovna — PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University;

Atantaeva Elmira Balabek-kyzy — PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University;

Raisov Sanzhar Bolatovich — neurologist, epileptologist, Head of the Laboratory of Pre-surgical Epilepsy Diagnostics at the medical center Shashkin Clinic;

Karakulova Yulia Vladimirovna — MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Neurology and Medical Genetics of Perm State Medical University (Perm, Russia);

Kovalchuk Vitaliy Vladimirovich — MD, Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Society of Rehabilitation Medicine of St. Petersburg, Head of the Medical Rehabilitation Center of City Hospital No. 38 named after N.A. Semashko (St. Petersburg, Russia);

Rachin Andrey Petrovich — MD, Professor, President of the National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology, Editor-in-Chief of the scientific and practical journal “Comorbid Neurology” (Moscow, Russia);

Rachin Sergey Andreevich — Executive Director of the National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology, neurologist, member of the European Academy of Neurology (Moscow, Russia);

Reverchuk Igor Vasilyevich — MD, PhD, Professor, Director of the Bioinstitute for the Protection of Somatopsychic Health, Member of the Presidium of the National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology (Kaliningrad, Russia).

Particular attention of the Forum participants was drawn to the interactive clinical case discussions, which became one of the most actively discussed parts of the scientific program. This format allowed participants not only to listen to presentations but also to analyze complex diagnostic and therapeutic situations together with experts.

Within the framework of the Forum, clinical cases of patients with myasthenia prepared by specialists from various cities of Kazakhstan were presented. Their observations were shared by PhD, Chief External Neurologist of Astana, Head of the Department of Neurology and Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System of the Multidisciplinary City Hospital No. 1 Syzdykova B.R., and Chief External Neurologist of the Health Department of the East Kazakhstan Region, Head of the Stroke Center, Master of Public Health Ainabekova E.M. (Ust-Kamenogorsk). The discussions generated active debate among participants and enabled consideration of modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

A separate highlight was a clinical case of multifocal motor polyneuropathy presented by Ganieva M.T., PhD, Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology of Avicenna Tajik State Medical University (Dushanbe, Tajikistan). The case discussion allowed participants to address the challenges of differential diagnosis of rare neurological diseases and modern therapeutic options.

A special event of the Forum was the awarding of honorary certificates. Professor Rachin Andrey Petrovich presented certificates of honorary members of the Presidium of Experts of the National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology to the President of the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurguzhaev E.S. and the Chief Neurologist of Kazakhstan Turuspekova S.T.

The Forum confirmed the high level of international cooperation and became an important platform for the development of neurological care in the region, exchange of experience, and implementation of modern medical technologies.