International dialogue in neurology: II online school brought together young researchers and leading experts from Kazakhstan and Russia

On February 24, 2026, the II International interdepartmental online school in neurology was held at the main building of South Kazakhstan medical academy. The event was organized through the collaboration between JSC South Kazakhstan Medical Academy and Astrakhan State Medical University.
The event brought together faculty members, practicing physicians, residents, and postgraduate trainees from medical universities of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. The online format with live streaming significantly expanded the audience and ensured active participation of learners and specialists from both countries.
The primary objective of the school was to discuss current issues in modern neurology, exchange clinical and scientific experience, and strengthen international academic cooperation between профиль departments.
Within the scientific program, presentations addressed актуальные problems of diagnosis and treatment of hereditary and acquired diseases of the nervous system:
• Molecular genetic analysis of cases of hereditary chorea and spinocerebellar ataxias in Kazakhstan — presented by Serzhan Zhanadilov, first-year neurology resident, Department of neurology, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine and neurosurgery, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (Shymkent);
• Encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis: neurological complications — presented by Dinara Akhmedova, second-year resident, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery with Continuing Professional Education Course (Astrakhan);
• MELAS Syndrome: A Clinical Case of Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy with Stroke-Like Episodes — presented by Darkhan Akzhol, first-year neurology resident, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy;
• Neurological manifestations of AIDS: Clinical cases — presented by Amulanga Arangaevna Basangova, second-year resident (Astrakhan).
Special attention was given to presentations by young specialists who shared clinical observations and research findings. Following the presentations, a professional discussion was held, during which participants addressed contemporary approaches to the diagnosis of rare and hereditary neurological disorders, issues of interdisciplinary collaboration, and prospects for further joint research.
The online School was moderated by leading experts in neurology:
• Zhuzhuna Murmanovna Tsotsonava — Head of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery with Continuing Professional Education Course, Astrakhan State Medical University, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor;
• Vladimir Viktorovich Belopasov — Professor of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery with Continuing Professional Education Course, Astrakhan State Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor;
• Nazira Asanovna Zharkinbekova — Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry, Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurosurgery, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Professor.
The II International Interdepartmental Online School in Neurology became a significant platform for professional dialogue, advanced training of young specialists, and strengthening scientific and educational ties between medical universities of Kazakhstan and Russia.

We express our special gratitude to the moderators of the online School — Zhuzhuna Murmanovna Tsotsonava and Vladimir Viktorovich Belopasov — for their professional moderation, high scientific level of expert guidance, and substantial contribution to the development of international academic cooperation in the field of neurology.