by Ekaterina Titianova
I would like to express my gratitude towards the European Academy of Neurology for the honour to organize the Regional Teaching Course in Sofia, Bulgaria which proved to be an event excelling in terms of attendance and content. In this respect I would like to thank all the invited speakers for their great responsiveness and support.
The purpose of this course was to bring international knowhow in different clinical neurological areas to the attending medical practitioners who came not only from the region but also from outside Europe. More than 160 doctors from 10 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine) participated in the Regional Teaching Course and in addition more than 40 students in Neurology were allowed to visit and listen to the lectures.
Each participant received a bag with the scientific journal “Neurosonolgy and Cerebral Hemodynamics” issued by the Bulgarian Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics containing the presented lectures.
The Godmother of the EAN Regional Teaching Course in Sofia, Bulgaria was Prof. Vida Demarin, MD, PhD, FAAN, FAHA, FESO from Croatia. She presented the recently formed European Academy of Neurology to the delegates, the principles it is based on and the numerous opportunities this bigger structure now provides as educational grants to its members.
The representative of the EAYNT – Dr. Monica Moarcas gave detailed information about the Association and explained how young practitioners can search and apply for training opportunities and grants in 2015.
The first day of the course was dedicated to Aging brain, stroke and dementia.
Professor Elsa Azevedo (Portugal) presented her research on How to face the burden of AF with aging to prevent stroke and vascular dementia. Prof. Vida Demarin (Croatia) had a speech on Stroke and Neuroplasticity and Professor Kurt Niederkorn (Austria) talked about the Present state of thrombectomy in acute stroke. Prof. Lachezar Traykov (Bulgaria) gave talk on the Classification and early diagnosis of cognitive impairments. The workshops in the afternoon were also very interesting and useful to the delegates.
The second day was dedicated to the Modern aspects of Neurorehabilitation
Professor Mario Siebler (Germany) really kept the attention of the audience presenting the topic “Advances in neurorehabilitation after stroke”. Prof. Ina Tarkka (Finland) spoke about Brain imaging in neurorehabilitation and Prof. Ann-Marie Hughes (UK) described Combining electrical stimulation mediated by iterative learning control with movement practice using real objects and simulated tasks for post-stroke upper extremity rehabilitation. The lecture session was concluded by Professor Ekaterina Titianova (Bulgaria) who spoke about Hemiparetic gait in stroke neurorehabilitation. The workshops in the afternoon were also very productive and raised many discussions.
The third day was dedicated to the Advance of Neurosonology
Professor Claudio Baracchini (Italy) presented his research “Ultrasound study of intracranial stenoses: pre- and post- endovascular treatment”. Professor Massimo Del Sette (Italy) gave wonderful presentation about Sonothrombolysis. Professor Milija Mijajlovic (Serbia) described “Ultrasound imaging of brain parenchyma, temporal arteries and orbita”. At the end of the lecture session, Professor Irena Velcheva spoke about Cerebral vasomotor reactivity in clinical settings.
On the second day of the course, a City tour was organized for the delegates and they managed to feel both the ancient and modern atmosphere of Sofia – a city which gets older but doesn’t age. In the evening we organized a Gala dinner for all the participants which took place in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. The evening was full of many positive emotions due to the delicious Bulgarian food, folklore dances and program.
An exam was organized on the third day after the end of the lecture session and all participants received a Certificate of attendance with 21 CME points. The lecturers also received Certificates of attendance with 31 CME points. Those participants who passed the exam were given a second Certificate for a successfully taken exam.
Our meeting turned to be a very beneficial forum for teaching, learning and exchange of ideas. People spent great time together sharing their professional experience, expressing their readiness to learn new things and acquiring additional knowledge. We strongly believe that the Regional Teaching Course in Sofia succeeded in creating a remarkable experience for all participants, lecturers and guests and helped to promote “Excellence in Neurology in Europe”.
Ekaterina Titianova is Professor of Neurology in Sofia, Bulgaria and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee
