Montréal tops the rankings of host cities in the Americas for most international conferences¹. Its attractions and qualities have made it a go-to location for business and leisure travellers. As one of the largest hubs for neuroscience in Canada—240 neuroscience professionals and over 40 companies related to neuroscience, Montréal is a first-rate destination for all with a passion for innovation, understanding the brain and treating patients with neurological disorders.

Together with the Canadian Neurological Society (CNS), generous funding for travel grants by the city’s convention community will enable a record number of scholars and fellows from emerging economies, such as Latin America and Africa, to attend this major event.

In order to foster innovative care and research on a global scale, The Neuro—McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital—will make its open data platforms available to the members of the WFN and help identify potential Canadian collaborators. Founded by Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro is a world leader in the field and has a rich history of welcoming the international neuroscientific community—trainees, researchers and clinicians alike. A pioneer, The Neuro is the first Open Science institute in the world, helping accelerate new therapy research and solutions.

The WCN 2023 will also be an opportunity to expand the annual grants and awards program the CNS jointly administers with the World Federation of Neurology. A new program being developed will focus on colleagues from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Montréal is a smart choice for WCN 2023. Recognized as Canada’s research and higher education capital, the city has 1,500 institutions active in R&D, 200 research centres, 11 higher learning institutions including four major universities, and two academic health centres—neurology from pediatric to adult, from general to highly specialized—making it a high-tech, artificial intelligence, health and life sciences hub. Among the Top 20 safest big cities in Canada and the United States², Montréal also enjoys one of the most vibrant urban scenes, thanks to its numerous world-class festivals, international cuisine, legendary hospitality and European flair. It is home to a richly multicultural community where 100 languages are spoken. Easily accessible and practical, it is only 20 minutes from the airport, which services 150 direct flights from North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America. The wide range of downtown accommodations includes 16,000 hotel rooms within a 10-minute walk from the city’s convention centre, 4,000 of which are directly linked to the centre. Its proximity to 90 million Northeastern Americans less than a two-hour flight away, or within driving distance, means even more students, young researchers, and clinicians can attend the congress. Participants will be able to partake in technical tours of The Neuro and several other university and hospital sites during their stay in Montréal. Success, innovation, and expertise await you in Montréal. October is when the city really shows its true autumn colours.

References

1. Union of International Associations 2017/2018
2. FBI & Statistics Canada 2018

By Dr. Abdul Malik, MD, DCN, PGDN, MBA

The Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation (NARF) in Pakistan organized countrywide activities to mark the fifth Annual World Brain Day, with the theme Migraine: The Painful Truth. Migraine affects one in seven people and, together with other headache disorders, is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

Besides countrywide awareness activities in all four provinces across Pakistan, NARF organized the majority of its activities in the largest city of Karachi. Flyers about migraine were distributed for the general public in the family medicine clinics. NARF also prepared migraine signs/ symptoms/ treatment/ diet and lifestyle modifications awareness mounts, which were placed in 1,000 clinics across the country. A month-long Facebook campaign as well as Twitter activities were executed by placing video messages and awareness posts in local languages as well as the matter provided from the WFN. World Brain Day posters were placed in almost all the major institutes and departments of neurology in Pakistan.

On July 22, under the aegis of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) in association with the International Headache Society (IHS), NARF celebrated the Fifth Annual World Brain Day with a free migraine clinic and press conference by the renowned neurologists of the country, including Prof. Mohammad Wasay, NARF president; Prof. Aziz Sonawala; former PHS president; and Profs. Arif D. Herakar and Dr. Abdul Malik from the Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry in Karachi. In the free migraine clinic, which was held at the Karachi Press Club, a large number of patients attended. They were provided free consultation as well as provided medications for the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

A unique activity was conducted for the awareness of migraine in collaboration with the students of the Masters for the Headache Disorders (MHD) from the University of Copenhagen and Danish Headache Center in Denmark. This activity was done under the patronage of the Prof. Rigmor Jenssen, course director. We had prepared and disseminated messages on migraine awareness provided by the WFN. This included almost 20 videos messages in 16 languages from 14 countries (Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S.).

On July 31, 2019, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) activity on #migraine #thepainfultruth: Diagnosis & Management was held at Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry (LCMD) in context with #worldbrainday. Prof. M. Wasay, Prof. Aziz B. Sonawala, and Associate Prof. Dr. Abdul Malik were the speakers. Prof. Rizwan Azami, director of medical services DSH, and Dr. Rashid Naseem Khan, principal LCMD, were the guests of honor. A large number of undergraduate students, postgraduate trainees, and faculty members attended the interactive session.

The awareness activities were covered in national and local newspapers as well as in the electronic media. There were TV shows on migraine for public interest as well a question-and-answer session about migraine signs and symptoms and treatment. In the Urdu language, an article was published in a local magazine about the awareness of migraine.

In short, a comprehensive advocacy campaign for migraine awareness was executed on the occasion of this year’s World Brain Day 2019 in Pakistan, keeping in view that migraine is the most common neurologic disorder that is treatable.

Dr. Abdul Malik, MD, DCN, PGDN, MBA, is associate professor of neurology in Karachi, Pakistan.

It has been a great privilege to be treasurer of WFN since 2015. During this time, I have been delighted to see the finances of the federation become even stronger.

Richard Stark

WFN’s mission statement is: “… to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide, a goal we seek to achieve by promoting global neurological education and training, with the emphasis placed firmly on underresourced parts of the world.”

I strongly support these aims, and my experience on the board of trustees for the past four years confirms that it is applied in practice.

The role of the treasurer is to advise the other trustees about the state of the finances, and thus which programs can be supported. For example, one of our current major programs involves supporting training in Africa and Latin America. The impact on the budget extends for some years into the future. We must be confident that our position is sound (and will remain so) in order to make the commitment to support training for up to four years in the future.

The income stream for WFN derives in part from member society fees and royalties from the Journal of Neurological Sciences (which are both relatively stable), and more substantially from the Congress (WCN), which is much more volatile. The 2015 meeting in Santiago significantly exceeded expectations, and the Kyoto meeting in 2017 was an outstanding financial success. As treasurer, I must thank all those involved in those meetings for working so hard to ensure success. Early projections for Dubai 2019 are positive also.

The financial success of WCN depends largely on the support from pharmaceutical companies, which depends, in turn, on the stage of commercial development of their products. These factors are outside our control. The management of the WFN’s finances, therefore, requires an astute and flexible approach, efficient administration, and conservative estimation of projected income streams.

My experience over the past four years has helped me to have a more indepth understanding of these issues and should be helpful to the WFN over the next four years. I believe, therefore, that I have something of substance to offer if elected.

I should set out some aspects of my background that have relevance to the position of treasurer of WFN. These include:

• treasurer of the Sydney 2005 WCN, which was a huge financial success
• treasurer of the Australian Association of Neurologists (1997-2003)

WCN 2005 took place at a time of substantial exchange rate volatility, and the strategies designed to minimize adverse impacts of this contributed to the financial success of the conference. Subsequent experience as treasurer of WFN over the past four years (with the impact of Brexit) has reinforced the necessity to have funds diversified in such a way as to minimize volatility while not excluding the possibility of organic growth.

The WFN has a strong tradition of efficient use of funds. This relies on the generous donation of time from the executive as well as the hard work of administrative staff. This efficiency must continue. If elected to a further term, I undertake to continue to work diligently with the executive to ensure that the financial management of the WFN allows it to pursue its aims and objectives.

By Prof. Serefnur Ozturk

The Turkish Neurological Society has been celebrating World Brain Day since 2014. Every year, we follow WFN guidelines and create public awareness by organizing meetings, public service announcements, and newsletters. This year, we partnered with İstanbul, Besiktas municipality, and organized a meeting about this year’s theme “Migraine: The Painful Truth.”

The meeting took place on July 22, World Brain Day, and was open to public attendance. Migraine is a common disorder in our population (reported as one of five women and one of 10 men). Banners were distributed throughout İstanbul promoting the meeting along with powerful support by social media and the national press.

We appreciate the WFN for supporting societies with toolboxes and webinars every year. We also encouraged our members to organize World Brain Day events, and this year, many meetings were held across Turkey. Furthermore, we collaborated with the International Headache Society to increase awareness for migraine.

Prof. Serefnur Ozturk is president of the Turkish Neurological Society.

By Osigwe P. Agabi, MBBS (BENIN), MWACP, FMCP

Undertaking my residency training in neurology in Nigeria had its advantages. I got to learn and practice in a culture where my expertise would be deployed, and the diversity and sheer number of neurological cases and conditions enabled me to hone my clinical skills. The training also afforded me the privilege of providing answers (and some succor, I hope) to patients whose conditions had been undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, cursorily attributed to “spiritual” forces in the absence of a logical alternative explanation. This was enabled by the increase in availability of some technologies, including brain imaging and support laboratory diagnostics for those who could afford them.

Despite these, however, one gaping void was the absence of expertise and technology for electromyography and nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS) testing. Four decades prior was the last time my training center had functioning EMG/NCS, and the combination of competing financial commitments and lack of expertise ensured this was not revived.

That was until early 2018, when a good natured alumnus donated EMG equipment and conducted a preliminary workshop that whet my appetite. About the same time, serendipity brought my mentors together at the EAN regional teaching course in Ouagadougou, and discussions ensued that culminated in the opportunity to begin my formal training in EMG/NCS in Austria.

As I sat down on the Lufthansa flight bound to Vienna from Lagos, Nigeria, my thoughts wandered. What would Austria be like? What will this experience be? Will I achieve my objectives? Will the weather be kind? Will I have problems communicating, as I speak no German?

I reached for my phone and looked down at the pictures of Profs. Walter Struhal and Wolfgang Grisold I had downloaded before the journey. It was this duo of renowned neurologists who had graciously agreed to offer themselves to train me in nerve conduction studies and electromyography at no cost that informed this journey. I thought about my family and the neurology unit back at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. I thought most especially about my teacher, mentor, and boss, Prof. Njideka Okubadejo who had given her all to the actualization of this dream and how lucky I was to have her. I was still in this train of thought when I was jolted into consciousness by the air hostess who was waiting to take my order of refreshment.

I arrived in Vienna and headed straight for the University Hospital in Tullin where Prof. Struhal is head of neurology. Prof. Struhal is a kind gentleman with a calm disposition. I was taken to my apartment that contained most of what I was going to require for the period of my stay.

The next day, I was formally introduced to the neurology department and completed some administrative formalities. Every morning, there was a presentation of all patients, new and old, by the consultants with their relevant investigations and neuroimaging. I looked forward to this exercise every morning not only for its robust intellectual nature but also for the demonstration of genuine patient empathy. I was received warmly by all. I observed the team spirit, astute dedication to duties of all, both young and old.

The synergy between doctors, nurses, and other support staff was exemplary. I worked closely with Drs. Andreas Seiser and Brigit Riemer who were the neurologists in charge of neurophysiology. They walked me through the rudiments of NCS and EMG. They loved to teach and made the process seamless. I cannot forget the patients who offered themselves freely to this exercise so I could learn. I was glad to observe sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulation, fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and some autonomic nerve testing, among others.

Twice every week, I commuted by train to Vienna to catch up with Prof. Grisold in his private practice. In his office, he laid bare nerve conduction and electromyography. He taught with uncommon dedication and passion, making sure I had an untainted understanding of the concepts. He taught me many secrets that only years of practice could bring. He had sessions with me as the patient. It is a great privilege to have been tutored by him. I will forever remain grateful.

Prof. Grisold wanted me to broaden my horizons on my many spheres of neurology. He reached out to many of his colleagues, including Dr. Stefan Meng, a radiologist with expertise in nerve and muscle ultrasonograpy. Dr. Meng was warm and highly knowledgeable, yet humble. He had some teaching sessions with me at the KFJ hospital in Vienna. Before this experience, nerve and muscle ultrasonography was a distant reality for me.

I also had the rare privilege of visiting Prof. Michaela Auer-Grumbach, a renowned neurogeneticist who added the icing on the cake for me. Before long, my 32-day visit had come to an end.

I am overwhelmed by the unconditional kindness, efforts, and support of Profs. Struhal and Grisold for bringing this dream to reality. This experience has awakened in me a restlessness to develop that which I have acquired and to impart to others after me. Yes, St. Augustine was right when he opined that “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Osigwe P. Agabi, MBBS (BENIN), MWACP, FMCP, is a consultant physician and neurologist in the neurology unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

It has been a tremendous privilege serving as elected trustee of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). In my current roles as WFN trustee, chair of the WFN Education Committee, and editor of World Neurology, I am indebted to this organization and the opportunities it has provided me to help achieve its mission to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide via the promotion of global neurologic education and training.

Steven L. Lewis, MD

My initial involvement with the WFN occurred coincident with my appointment by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) as editor-in-chief of Continuum. This joint program of the WFN and the AAN (and its publisher Wolters Kluwer) provides print and online access to Continuum to user groups from more than 40 neurological societies from low- and lower-middle income countries. I have appreciated being involved as our two organizations work closely together to provide this resource for participants who would otherwise be unable to obtain it, including recent and ongoing collaborative efforts to improve and enhance this important global educational program.

As WFN trustee and as chair of the WFN Education Committee for the last six years, I have become integrated into the critical workings of this organization in education, training, and practice of neurology around the globe. I have learned so much from our talented staff, my esteemed colleagues on the many WFN committees and related organizations, and all of the co-trustees up to the president(s) whom I have been so privileged to work with. Their knowledge and expertise have been invaluable in my continued personal development and improving my effectiveness to our organization. In my additional role as World Neurology editor, I have had the privilege to help report on news about neurology and neurologists worldwide, a role that I cherish continuing as well as honing.

In my roles and experiences with the WFN, I have continued to meet so many remarkably talented neurologists worldwide. I continue to be impressed by the similarities among us all, despite differences in resources and access to care within and between regions. If re-elected as trustee, I look forward to continuing to help the WFN achieve its mission via continued partnership with national, regional, and international neurologic societies and disease-based organizations, and the WHO; optimizing our current regional teaching centers for neurologic training—now four African training centers and one in the Americas, with plans for other region(s) as well; growing our department visit programs, which have recently included wonderful partnerships with many European countries for African trainees, and one in the Americas for South American trainees; increasing awareness of travel and research grants for young neurologists from low- and lower-middle income countries; and continuing to react quickly to novel regional or global neurological issues or threats as they arise.

I would be honored to be re-elected as WFN trustee, and if so, I pledge to continue to faithfully serve our delegates and member neurologists for the mutual goal of improved neurological access and the highest quality of neurology and neurological health worldwide.