DOHA: Qatar Clinical Neuroscience Conference begun yesterday in Doha to explore the latest in research, methods of diagnosis and treatment for brain-related illnesses.
The two-day conference will discuss new advances in clinical neuroscience for depression, bipolar disorder, cerebrovascular disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury.
The event which has brought experts from around the world is organised by the Qatar Foundation, Weil Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q)and the New York Academy of Science.
Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q and himself an internationally renowned expert on anxiety and ageing, said the conference was indicative of Qatar’s growing influence in the academic world.
“Qatar is now well recognised as an international hub for higher education and research.
“This conference on clinical neuroscience brings together experts in multiple domains in the field. I expect the presentations to reflect cutting-edge science and for the discussions to be truly illuminating,” said Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q, addressing a press conference held prior to the conference at Four Seasons hotel.
Neuroscience is a huge field and includes several illnesses which form a large percentage of the global disease burden and are a significant economic cost to nations.
However, when asked specifically about the prevalence of mental illnesses in Qatar Dr Sheikh explained that a research by WCMC-Q is on process and its findings would help to know the nature of the illness.
“We are actually in the process of carrying out the first epidemiology to look at different aspects of mental health and once its completed we will know if the illness has increased in Qatar or not,” he said.
Topics of discussion at Qatar Clinical Neuroscience Conference will cover clinical approaches to affective disorders; translation of animal model research; advances in neuropsychiatry; and pathophysiology and therapeutic insights regarding stroke and traumatic brain injuries.
Sessions will be held on topics such as, Genetic mouse models of anxiety disorders, heartache and headache: depression and cardiovascular diseases and optimal traumatic brain injury treatment.
“Brain disorders know no national boundaries, and it’s critical that neither does scientific research around this area; it will take the best scientific minds to make progress in these challenging areas,” said Ellis Rubinstein, CEO and President of the Academy. “We are thrilled to be convening in Qatar, where we expect to hear the latest research developments that will push the field of neuroscience forward, impacting countless lives.”
In addition, poster sessions and the open format of the meeting will foster dialogue among delegates.
The Peninsula
