International Conference on Neurogenetics held in Holguín
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Holguin
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The First International Scientific Conference on Neurogenetics, held in Holguín, brought together leading scientists from the United Kingdom and Cuba in an academic exchange focused on neurological and genetic diseases.
The event included nearly a dozen high-impact lectures, fostering collaboration between local and international scientific institutions to advance knowledge in neurogenetics.
Among the topics discussed, British specialists presented research on diseases with global significance, while Cuban scientists shared findings related to highly prevalent conditions in the region such as Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Usher Syndrome. The presentations highlighted the depth and relevance of studies conducted in both countries for public health.
The conference opened with a keynote lecture by Dr. John Anthony Hardy, a prominent researcher at the Institute of Neurology, University College London, who addressed progress and challenges in genetic therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Hardy is best known for discovering in 1991 the first mutation directly associated with this condition, marking a milestone in neurodegenerative research.
Other noteworthy presentations included those by Dr. Henry James Houlden, who analyzed the genetic links between Parkinson’s and dominant Ataxias, and Dr. Sigurlaug Sveinbjornsdottir, an expert in neurological and cerebrovascular diseases. Bioinformatician Anupriya Dalmia also presented research on rare genetic disorders. Meanwhile, Cuban researcher Dr. Luis Enrique Almaguer Mederos from Holguín shared progress from a collaborative project aimed at identifying biomarkers for SCA2 Ataxia, developed jointly with British scientists.
The conference concluded with Cuban researchers presenting studies on cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s, motor prognosis after functional stereotactic surgery for Parkinson’s, and the clinical-molecular characterization of Usher Syndrome. Findings on Fucosidosis in the province were also shared. The event, held from December 8 to 12, formed part of an international cooperation program coordinated between Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health and a team of British researchers
