A global scientific conference on Autoimmune Neurology will begin here on Saturday.
The highly advanced scientific meet titled Indian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis - ICTRIMS 2018 will be attended by more than 70 experts and eminent speakers from the European Charcot Foundation, besides the largest panel of experts in the field from different States.
The three-day event, organised by the Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN) and the Kerala Association of Neurologists (KAN), will be held at Hotel Crowne Plaza. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) is actively participating in the event.
Dr. Satish V. Khadilkar, president-elect, IAN, will inaugurate the conference. Explaining the significance of the meet, Dr. Suresh Kumar, organising secretary, said the focus of ICTRIMS 2018 will be a broad group of autoimmune diseases which affect the central nervous system. Autoimmune diseases are caused by one’s immunity acting against own system. The conference will lay special emphasis on multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease which mostly affects young individuals, especially women.
Disease incidences in the country are seen to be growing, and the causes include viral infections, Vitamin-D deficiency, smoking, and lifestyle changes. In India, the prevalence of the disease is about 3 to 5 per one lakh population. The disease affects the central nervous system and causes multiple symptoms like visual impairment, paralysis, bladder issues, cognitive dysfunction, and mood changes, said Dr. Suresh Kumar.