By Drs. Sunil Dhungel and Namrata G.R. Raut
The Neuroscience Society of Nepal (NSN), with support from the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) completed the fourth neuroscience workshop i.e. school of advanced type on the theme Psychophysiology of Neurological Disorders – Genomics and Non-Genomics Perception from April 24 to May 8, 2024 at Hotel Encounter Nepal & Spa, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. It started with an inauguration from the Vice Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The chief organizer of the school, Professor Sunil Dhungel, emphasized the goals of the program of study, mainly how it is structured. He highlighted that there were 50 didactic lectures of plenary and advanced type, 36 hr hands-on training including technical lectures and group discussion. The first seven days, they focused on speeches from the esteemed panel spanning several countries. The speakers like Professor Dr. Bindu M Kutty (India), Dr. Michael Ling King Hwa (Malaysia), Dr. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake (Sri Lanka), Dr. Cheah Pike-See (Malaysia), Dr. Nilam Thakur (Nepal), Professor Dr. Rajat Sandhir (India), Dr. Suraj Parajuli (Nevis), Dr. Sunita Ghimire Gautam (Nepal), Professor Dr. Toshihide Yamashita (Japan), Dr. Raju Paudel (Nepal), Professor Dr. Arunab Ghose (India), Dr. Juan Helen Zhou (Singapore) are among those who graced the event. The interactive sessions focused on the recent findings in basic, translational, and medical research in neurophysiology in the Asia-Pacific region.
The second half of the school focused on hands-on training, hands-on training-related lectures, and presentations from the participants. The selection of participants was competitive and was on a merit basis. The participants included MBBS, graduate students, PhDs, and post-docs. Dr. Sunil Dhungel and IBRO selected the participants. All the participants were allowed to witness and do hands-on training on molecular techniques like real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), karyotyping, and DNA-RNA extraction at Global Hospital in Gwarko, chaired by Dr. Nilam Thakur,Dr. Ajaya Jung Kunwar, Mr. Santosh Dahal, Mr. Govardhan Joshi, and Mr. Sandeep Thapa and Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at Mansarovar, Bhaktapur chaired by Dr. Kanchan Dahal, Dr. Barun Mahat and Mr. Mukesh K. Jha. Mr. Roshan Acharya monitored all the sessions. These training courses have recently gained a reputation in the clinical field. For example, molecular techniques are utilized to promptly detect abnormality than the homeostatic condition in the patients for early detection, and rTMS is used to ameliorate the behavior abnormality, pain, etc., in neurological disorders.
The presentations from the participants were the highlight of the session. The participants were divided into two groups, where they showcased their work and presented their dream project. The presentations included the findings in the field of cognitive-mental health care, neuroendocrinology, cognitive neurophysiology, audio-vestibular disorders, dysphagia, vocology, speech and language disorders, psychiatric disorders, and many more. The best part of the presentation was the interactions and discussion afterward. Research-based treatment strategies are scarce in developing countries, and the presentation highlighted how crucial it is to treat neurological disorders in the brief conversation with Drs. Ashish Dutta (Nepal Police Hospital), Mitesh Karn (Gandaki Medical College), and Bishal Dhakal (Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences) spotlighted how this school has advanced their understanding in basic research and are going to utilize the knowledge in their treatment strategies. “The culmination of the research in these two weeks has enhanced my understanding of genomics component leading to a psychiatric disorder in adulthood and has given me a new approach to diagnose the neurological disorder,” as stated by Dr. Dutta. This is the new dawn in Nepal’s medical field, as doctors focus on research-based treatment strategies. This is crucial as there are so many unknowns when it comes to the field of neuroscience, and there is a plethora of challenges for clinicians when it comes to treatment.
The necessity of modern-day medicine is the interdisciplinary approach encompassing basic, translational, and clinical research to uplift the health and was the focus of the IBRO-APRC advanced school. Dr. Yukiko Goda (2021-26, Chair 2024-26, IBRO-APRC) also addressed the available funding in Asia-Pacific for the research, and the school concluded with the fifth annual meeting of the Neuroscience Society of Nepal.
Apart from the scientific sessions, the participants accentuate their bonds with their fellow participants. Participants mentioned they have formed some friendships that are going to last. As this school took place in the historic city of Kathmandu, the speakers and participants utilized the evenings to relish the local delicacies and tour around the UNESCO world heritage sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a formal royal palace complex from Malla Kings of Nepal from the 14th-15th century. One can find the details of the school at IBRO-School, Nepal.
As a neuroscientist by training, it was an honor to be on the organizing team of IBRO-APRC-advance school. Just a decade ago, the term neuroscience was an alien topic, but the advancement in the field has been truly commendable in Nepal’s medical field. The IBRO-APRC school is only the beginning; additional research is required to advance Neuroscience in Nepal.
