MENA Congress

​Opening Session

Chairperson: Dr. Mohamed Babiker
Consultant Pediatric Neurology and Director, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Al Jalila Children`s Speciality Hospital, Dubai, UAE

08:30 AM - 08:55 AM

Neurogenetic disorders: current situation and future directions

Dr. Mohamed Babiker

Consultant Pediatric Neurology and Director, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Al Jalila Children`s Speciality Hospital, Dubai, UAE


08:55 AM - 09:20 AM

The evolving landscape of genomic diagnostics in the Middle East

Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun

Director, Genomics Center of Excellence, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, UAE


09:20 AM - 09:45 AM

The spectrum of neurogenetic disorders in the MENA region in the era of next generation sequencing

Dr. Dina Saleh

Head of Department and Consultant, Pediatric Neurology, Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Neurocutaneous Diseases

Chairperson: Dr. Ubaid Shah
Consultant Pediatric Neurology and Epileptology, Director, American Children’s Centre, American Hospital Dubai, Dubai, UAE

09:45 AM - 10:10 AM

Tuberous sclerosis updates 2024

Dr. Pawan Kashyape

Consultant and Head, Pediatric Neurology, Neuroscience Centre of Excellence. Al Jalila Children's Hospital Dubai, UAE


10:10 AM - 10:35 AM

Advances in neurofibromatosis genetics: theory meets practice

Dr. Hibba Bedri

​Neurodevelopment Consultant, Neurofibromatosis Clinic and Complex MDT Service Lead, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE

10:35 AM - 11:00 AMBreak

Movement Disorders

Chairperson: Dr. Biju Abdul Hameed
Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE

11:00 AM - 11:25 AM

Metabolic and genetic ataxias

Prof. Brahim Tabarki Melaiki

Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


11:25 AM - 11:50 AM

The genetic landscape of hyperkinetic movement disorders

Dr. Wejdan Hakami

Pediatric Movement Disorders Neurology, Head of Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


11:50 AM - 12:15 PM

Therapeutic advances in movement disorders: real life stories

Dr. Mohamed Babiker

Consultant Pediatric Neurology and Director, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Al Jalila Children`s Speciality Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Genetic White Matter Diseases

Chairperson: Dr. Saleel Chandratre
Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Ajman, UAE

12:15 PM - 12:40 PM

CNS hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): the devil in disguise

Prof. Hoda Tomoum

Professor, Pediatric Neurology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt


12:40 PM - 01:05 PM

Genetic leukodystrophies: diagnostic clues and novel therapies

Dr. Lamya Alsubaihi

Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

01:05 PM - 02:30 PMLunch Break

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Chairperson: Prof. Pierre Krystkowiak
Consultant Neurology, Specialized Rehabilitation Center, Capital Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

02:30 PM - 02:55 PM

Inherited chorea

Prof. Pierre Krystkowiak

Consultant Neurology, Specialized Rehabilitation Center, Capital Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE


02:55 PM - 03:20 PM

Inherited Parkinson disease

Prof. Jean-Luc Houeto

Neurology Department, Regional Expert Center for Parkinson Disease, Limoges University Hospital, Limoges, France


03:20 PM - 03:45 PM

The spinocerebellar ataxias: genotypes, phenotypes, and therapeutic opportunities

Dr. Chloé Angelini

Medical Geneticist, Reference Center for Rare Neurogenetic Diseases, Medical Genetics Department, Pellegrin Hospital, Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Bordeaux, France


03:45 PM - 04:10 PM

The type I interferonopathies: a decade on new frontiers

Prof. Sunny Philip

Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Mediclinic City Hospital and Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai, UAE


04:10 PM - 04:35 PM

Motor neuron disease: Can genes provide hope for treatment

Dr. Najwa Al Bustani

Consultant Neurology Residency Program Director, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE

04:35 PM - 05:00 PMBreak

Neurometabolic Diseases

Chairperson: Prof. Ayman El-Hattab
Consultant Clinical Genetics at Burjeel Medical City, University Hospital Sharjah, Kanad Hospital, and Genesis Healthcare Center, Sharjah, UAE

05:00 PM - 05:25 PM

Neurometabolic disease: a practical guide to approach treatable causes

Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri

Consultant Clinical Genetics and Medical Biochemical, Genetics and Program Director, Clinical Genetics Fellowship Program, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE


05:25 PM - 05:50 PM

Sulfite oxidase deficiency: diagnostic challenges

Dr. Mohammed Mekki

Consultant Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE


05:50 PM - 06:15 PM

Metabolic seizures

Prof. Ayman El-Hattab

Consultant Clinical Genetics at Burjeel Medical City, University Hospital Sharjah, Kanad Hospital, and Genesis Healthcare Center, Sharjah, UAE

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