Welcome letter

It goes without saying that the nervous system is the most fascinating organ system in the human body. Its development in the early delicate life, and its subsequent decay at old age, are both orchestrated by a whole host of complex and fine-tuned genetic and environmental factors. This `complexity`, however, comes at the price of rendering the nervous tissue, wherever it exists in the body, particularly vulnerable to genetic divergences.

The field of neurogenetics has witnessed vast changes in the last couple of decades. Thanks to the remarkable advancements in genomic testing, we are now able to diagnose more diseases than ever, to discover new entities, and to gain astonishing insights into their molecular mechanisms. This betterment in understanding has enabled scientists and healthcare professionals to develop new life-changing therapies. Many of these currently available breath-taking genetic-based treatments, together with those soon to come, have forever altered the natural history of several disorders known to mankind. On several occasions, neurogenetic disorders that in the past used to be ‘life-limiting` have now become conditions `to-live-with-for-longer`, or perhaps even ‘potentially curable`!

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region includes more than 20 countries with an area of 15 million square kilometers and more than 600 million population. This region has a genetic landscape that is similar to no other. With higher rates of consanguinity, inter-tribal marriages, interracial mixes and diverse ethnicities, common practices of large family size, and advanced maternal and paternal age at conception, it is not surprising that neurologists and geneticists are dealing with more neurogenetic disorders than anywhere else in the world, one could argue.

This conference`s program in its first edition has carefully been crafted to address the current hot topics and the innovative directions as well as the `knowhow` in this area. This will be delivered by a carefully selected experienced faculty of speakers. Through exchanging knowledge, sharing expertise, and exploring new horizons, we, in the scientific committee, hope to bring arrays of hope to those patients, and their families, affected by neurogenetic disorders in our region and beyond.