On 15 December 2025, the Turkish Neurological Society (TNS) hosted an EAN Regional Teaching Session (RTS) in Antalya, Türkiye, titled Unlocking Genetic Clues in Neurological Disorders. The session was integrated into a national scientific meeting and represented a significant milestone in strengthening regional education and collaboration in the field of neurogenetics.
The RTS was jointly chaired by Prof. Elena Moro, President of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), and Prof. Hacer Durmuş Tekçe, Board Member of the Turkish Neurological Society and Chair of the TNS Neurogenetics Subcommittee. The session brought together leading European and regional experts to address both clinical and translational aspects of rare neurological and neurogenetic disorders.
Scientific Programme
The three-hour programme featured state-of-the-art lectures covering a broad spectrum of rare neurological diseases and contemporary genetic approaches:
- Rare Neurologic Disorders in Turkiye – Hacer Durmuş (Turkiye)
- Rare Disorders in Europe: An Overview – Elena Moro (France)
- The Lessons of Rare Neurological Diseases for Clinical Neurologists and Neuroscientists, and the Role of International and National Neurological Societies – Antonio Federico (Italy)
- ALS: From Gene Discovery to Targeted Therapies – Antonio Canosa (Italy)
Each lecture was followed by an interactive Q&A segment, encouraging active participation and direct engagement between attendees and speakers. The session concluded with a panel discussion and audience Q&A, moderated by Elena Moro and Hacer Durmuş, with a particular focus on translational research, international collaboration, and future directions in neurogenetics.
Educational Impact and Feedback
The RTS received highly positive feedback from participants, who highlighted the scientific depth, clinical relevance, and practical insights offered by the programme. Attendees particularly valued the opportunity to interact with internationally recognised experts and to discuss real-world challenges in the diagnosis and management of rare neurological diseases.
During the closing segment, EAN educational opportunities and benefits were briefly introduced, further reinforcing the academy’s commitment to education across Europe, especially in emerging and underrepresented regions.
In addition to her role as a speaker and co-chair of the RTS, EAN President Elena Moro’s active participation throughout the Turkish Neurological Society congress, including her engagement in other scientific sessions and her close interaction with TNS members across all career stages, was found to be particularly motivating and highly appreciated by the participants.
Conclusion
The integration of this EAN Regional Teaching Session into the Turkish Neurological Society congress underscores the value of close collaboration between national societies and the EAN. The event not only enhanced awareness and knowledge in neurogenetics but also strengthened professional networks and laid the groundwork for future joint educational initiatives.
As one of the RTS activities embedded within a national congress, this session may serve as a model for other countries, encouraging broader dissemination of high-quality neurological education and fostering sustainable regional collaboration across Europe.
