WFN Junior Traveling Fellowship recipients detail learnings from a conference in Tokyo.
By Dr. Purushottam Singh and Dr. Cheshta Arora
Dr. Cheshta Arora (second from left), Dr. Purushottam Singh (fourth from left) and other attendees at the AOPMC in Tokyo, Japan.
As recipients of the 2025 Junior Traveling Fellowship Award from the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), we were privileged to attend the Asia-Oceanian Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress (AOPMC), held March 21-23, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. It was an enriching experience that offered valuable academic and professional insights. It not only provided exposure to cutting-edge research, but also enabled meaningful networking with peers and experts.
The conference was a three-day educational journey where we learned new skills related to movement disorders, our primary area of interest. The program included a wide range of sessions, such as keynote addresses, oral presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions. We also had the opportunity to interact with international faculty and gain useful insights on our work.
Dr. Purushottam Singh displays a poster at the congress.
Key Learnings
We took multiple lessons away from this conference. They included:
- In the session, “An Approach to Genetic Testing and Counseling in Movement Disorders,” we learned how to approach the different movement disorders and what genes to suspect based on the phenotype. We also learned which test to send for which disorder.
- The different formulations of botulinum toxin available and the techniques of administering them for various neurological disorders, including writer’s cramp and limb dystonia.
- New updates in the medical and surgical management of Parkinson’s disease.
- Key points on movement disorders including functional movement disorders, neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), normal pressure hydrocephalus, and pediatric movement disorders.
(Left to right): Dr. Purushottam Singh, Dr. Cheshta Arora, and a fellow poster presenter at the AOPMC.
There was also an interesting session on the ophthalmological examination in movement disorders.
We returned to our institutions with updated clinical knowledge, renewed motivation to pursue research in movement disorders, and practical tools to improve patient care. Participation in this conference has significantly contributed to our academic and professional growth.
We are truly honored and deeply grateful to have received this Junior Traveling Fellowship from the WFN. •
Dr. Purushottam Singh is a neurologist at Army Hospital Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, India. Dr. Cheshta Arora is a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru, India.
