The scientific program of the 3rdAfrica Mena Brain Week

19th – 23th February 2025

Rabat, Morocco
Venue: 19th – 22nd February 2025 in Scientific Institut of Rabat
Venue: 23rd February 2025 (sport, leizure & art day) in Mohamed 5th center
for handicap in Salé
 Programme at a glance
DAY MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING
Wednesday Arrival day & Handicap & Strokes General Public
19th Registration Conference 1 Free
day 1

Thursday 20th Childhood Epilepsy Epilepsy surgery/ General Public Social evening
day 2 / Conference 2 in center for
Official handicap in
Herbal Medicine Salé
Inauguration

Friday 21st Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis/ General Public Free

day 3 NMOSD and MOGAD Headache session Conference 3

Saturday 22nd Neurotoxicolog Neurotoxicology/ General Public Gala Diner

day 4 y/ Research Panel/ Conference 4
Psychiatry Telemedicine & AI/
GP and specialist
& Neurology relationship
Sunday 23rd Patient’s Day with social, artistic & cultural event
day 5 Football game between Safi’s and Marrakech’s epilepsy patients
Petanque, Chess, Running and other sport activities for speakers/attendees and
Patients with Epilepsy, SMA, MS, Parkinson disease and other disorders
 The scientific program of the 3rdAfrica Mena Brain Week
19th – 22ndFebruary 2025
Rabat, Morocco
Faculty of medicine of Rabat

GENERAL PUBLIC CONFERENCES locally and by zoom

1. General Public Conference (Wednesday 19th) : Good use, under use, bad use and
pathological use ofthe Brain (Pr Kissani Najib, neurologist (Morocco))
2. General Public Conference (Thursday 20th) : Stress & Brain (Tyal Mohamed Hachem)/
Different hypotheses on the biological origins of anxiety-depression (Pr. R. Soulimani, France)/
Differentes hypotheses sur les origines de l’anxio-dépression.
3.General Public Conference (Friday 21sh) : Sport & Brain (Pr Driss Moussaoui,
Psychiatrist ; (Morocco)).
4.General Public Conference (Saturday 22nd): Patient peer helper in Neurology&
Psychiatry(Dr Said Fettah Psychiatrist (France/ Morocco)).
 DAY 1 (Wednesday) : 19thFebruary 2025
14.00-15.00 Registration and welcome speech
Coran lecture
National Moroccan Hymn
Pr Najib Kissani: president of the organizing committee & LMCE (Morocco)
Pr Brahim Lakhel: Dean of Rabat Medical School (Morocco)
Pr Rachid Soulimani: Chair of Scientific committee, World expert of Neurotoxicology
15.00-15.30 (France)
Pr Atimad Chemaou: President of the Moroccan society of Neuropediatrics: SMNP
(Morocco)
Dr Fatima Azizi: Chair of Moroccan Federation of General Practitioners (Morocco)
Mr Abderrahmane Ait Quirro: President of the NGO: National Federation of Neurological
& Psychiatric patients’ associations (Morocco)
 Meeting room 1
Session 1:Health & Handicap
15.30-17.00 Moderators: Pr Shehu Abdullah (Coventry/UK), Pr Athanase Millogo (Ouagadougou/Burkina
Faso), Pr Reda Ouazani (Morocco)
15 min Epidemiology of handicap in Morocco Pr Arabi Hafid (Rabat/ Morocco)
Moroccan data and future perspectives of SMA Pr Amina Barakat (Rabat/ Morocco)
Pr Nissrine Aboussair (Marrakech/
15 min Genetical forms of mental handicap
Morocco)
15 min Mental handicap, origins and management Dr Carlo Brogna (Rhode Island, USA)
Validation of the Moroccan Arabic version of the Token Dr Youssef Rami (Centre for language and
15 min
Test: Preliminary Study brain Moscow, Russia)
Inclusivities Empowement on Non Communicable Dr Tunga Adhul Global South
15 min
Diseases (Copenhagen/Danemark)
15 min Discussion
30 min Coffee-break
 Meeting room session 2
Session 2: Stroke
15.30-17.00 Moderators: Pr Osheik Seidi (Khartoum/ Sudan), Pr Fatimata Djibo (Niamey/ Niger), Pr Li Da (Ningbo/
China)
15 min Pathophysiology &Clinical diagnosis of Strokes Pr Rachid Belfkih (Tanger/Morocco)
15 min Mimikers and Cameleons in stroke management Pr Osheik Oseidi (Khartoum/ Sudan)
15 min Neurorimaging of strokes Pr M. Chen Guoping (Ningbo ; China)
15 min Treatment, Management, and Rehabilitation: A Dr Wajid Zia (Glascow/UK)
Neuropsychological Model
Acute stroke management Pr Jawad Oumerzouk (Rabat, Morocco)
15 min Surgical Treatment of highly complex vascular pathologies in Pr Athanasios K. Petridis (Greece/ Germany)
environments with limited resources
Discussion
15 min
 Meeting room 1 : Main session Panel : Session 3: Panel about challenges of Handicap management

Neurologist point of view (Pr Benmouh, Rabat/ Morocco)

Physiotherapist point of view (Dr Meliani, Casablanca, Morocco)
How can we harmonize national strategies for handicap in Morocco & developing countries? (Pr Houcine Ouardi,
past Minister of health)
17.00-18.15 The state of postpost traumatic sequalea in Sub Saharana Africa & survived for purpose healing platform Mugambi
Mbaabu (Licensed Psychologist/Clinical Psychiatrist-Kenya) & Josiane Omulinga (Genocide survivor/Author-
Rwanda)
Patient with handicap (related to SMA) what is missing for a better life for patients with handicap? (Mr Bazzi
Hicham, President of SMA association- Morocco)
Challenges and opportunities for neurorehabilitation in low and middle income countries (Pr Francis Fezeu,
Allemagne)

10 Min
Discussion
 1st General public conference

1st Conference grand public :

18.15-19.00 Stress & Brain (Tyal
Mohamed Hachem)/
Different hypotheses on the
biological origins of anxiety-
depression (Pr. R. Soulimani,
France)/ Differentes
hypotheses sur les origines
de l’anxio-dépression

19.00-20.00 Diner-break
 Day 2 (Thursday ): Epilepsy & Herbal Medicine-20th February 2025
08.00- Registration and reception
09.00
Meeting room 1
09.00-
Session 4 : 8 Oral Communications (Epilepsy)
10.00
Expert conference -----Moderator :Pr Ghaeib Bechar (Baghdad/Iraq), Pr Kawtar Khabbach (Tanger/Morocco)
10.00-
IGAP for epilepsy, a global plan for epilepsy launched by WHO & ILAE worldwide (Pr Alla Guekht, Neurologist/
10.40
Moscow; Russia & President of ILAE)
10.45- Session 5: Epilepsy in Childhood Moderators: Pr Zouheir Souirti (Fes/Morocco), Pr Kriouel Yamna (Rabat,
12.55 Morocco), Pr Ammar El Tahir Ahmed (Saudi Arabia/ Sudan)
15 min Mecanismes de l’epileptogenese Pr Chraa Mohamed (Marrakech, Morocco)
15 min Classification of epilepsies, where we are ? Pr Mounach Jamal (Rabat/Morocco)
15 min Epilepsy in West syndromes & Lennox Gastaut syndromes Pr Arif Herekar (Karachi Pakistan)
15 min Differential diagnosis in Childhood Epilepsy Pr Khabbach Kaoutar (Tanger/Morocco)
15 min EEG sessions in Childhood epilepsy Pr. Eliashiv Dawn (Los Angeles, USA)
15 min Neuroimaging in Childhood epilepsy Pr M.Chen Guoping (Ningbo ; China)
Neurological Diseases in Children : Transition from Pediatric to Adult Pr. Atimad Chemaou (CASABLANCA ,
15 min
Consultation MOROCCO)
15 min Medical Treatment of Childhood epilepsy Pr Chahnez Triki (Sfax, Tunisia)
10 min Discussion
 Meeting room 2
10.45- Session 6: Herbal medicine and Microbiota Moderators: Pr Youssoufa Maiga (Bamako/ Mali), Antonina
12.30 Gavajuc (Moldova), Pr Athanas Millogo (Burkina Faso)
Introduction of herbal medicine Pr Yangatimbi Emanuel (BanguiCentral Rep.
15 min
Africa)
15 min Epilepsy and herbal medicine Dr Charlie Ware (Florida, USA)
15 min Toxicity of some herbal plants and aliments used in Subsaharan Africa Pr Athanas Millogo (Burkina Faso)
How can we rationalize the use of herbal medicine in developing Pr Agbetou Mendinatou (Benin),
15 min
countries? Pr Nawal Adali (Agadir, Maroc)
15 min
Gut Microbiota in neurological disorders
10 min Discussion
45 min Symposium CBD/ Cannabidiol in epilepsy ( supported by Pharma 5)

13.00- Lunch-Break
14.45
 Meeting room 1
15.00-
Workshop 1 (Meeting room 1):Psychitaric Workshop 2 (Meeting room 2):Therapeutic Hypothermia and
16.00
comorbidities in epilepsy (Pr Alla Guekht, Neuroprotection of the Newborn, Mechanism of Action and
Worksh
Neurologist/ Moscow; Russia) Practical Applications Pr Amina BARKAT (Rabat/ Morocco)
ops
Session 7: Epilepsy surgery :where we are in developing countries and how to initiate and promote epilepsy surgery
16.00-
in LMIC
17.30
Moderators: Pr Abdesslam El Khamlichi (Rabat/Morocco), Pr Alla Guekht (Moscow/ Russia), Pr Reda Ouazani
Panel
(Rabat/ Morocco)
Starting and development epilepsy surgery in developing Meriem Bensalem-Owen, (Algeria/USA/President,
13 min
countries American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS)
13 min Where we are in epilepsy surgery in Morocco & Africa? Pr Najib Kissani (Marrakech/ Morocco)
13 min Presurgical investigations in refractory epilepsies Dr Lahjouji Fatiha (Rabat/ Morocco)
13 min Epilepsy surgery treatment using Gamma knife Pr Adyl Melhaoui (Rabat/ Morocco)
13 min African Sub-Saharan situation regarding epilepsy surgery? Pr Christian Napon (Ouagadougogou / Burkina Faso)
13min
15 min Discussion
 17h30-18h30

Official Inauguration
Lecture de Coran
National Moroccan Hymn
Mr le Ministre de la Santé et de la Protection Sociale/ Mr le
Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche
Pr Najib Kissani: president of the organizing committee & LMCE
(Morocco)
Mr l’Ambassadeur de la République d’Inde
Pr Brahim Lakhel: Dean of Rabat Medical School (Morocco)
Pr Rachid Soulimani: Chair of Scientific committee, World expert
of Neurotoxicology (Japan)
Pr Atimad Chemaou: President of the Moroccan society of
neuropediatrics: SMNP (Morocco)
Dr Fatima Azizi: Chair of Moroccan Federation of General
Practitioners (Morocco)
Mr Abderrahmane Ait Quirro: President of the NGO: National
Federation of Neurological & Psychiatric patients’ associations,
(Morocco
 2nd General public conference

2nd General Public

Conference (Wednesday
21st): Good use, under
use, bad use and
18.30-
19.15
pathological use of the
Brain (Pr Kissani Najib,
neurologist (Morocco).

19.30-
20.30 Diner-Break
 DAY 3 (Friday): 21st February
Multiple Sclerosis, NMOSD and MOGAD/ Headaches

08.00-09.00 Registration and reception

Meeting room 1
09.00-10.15 Session 8 : MS & NMO oral Communications
Conference of Expert
10.15-11.00 Moderator: Pr Karouache abdelkrim (Oujda/Morocco), Pr Gallo Diop (Dakar/ Senegal)
Optic neuritis, in MS and other causes (Pr Axel Pitzold, London, UK)
Session 9: MS basics, diagnosis and management
11.00-12.30 Moderators:Pr M.YANG Jianhong (Ningbo/ China), Pr Youssoufa Maiga (Bamako/ Mali), Pr
Brahim Admou (Marrakech, Morocco)
15 min Epidemiology of MS Pr Riad Gouider (Tunis/Tunisia)
Pr Mebrouk Yassine (Oujda/
15 min Physiopathology of MS
Morocco)
Pr Brahim Admou (Marrakech,
15 min Biomarkers in MS & NMO
Morocco)
15 min Management of MS Pr Shehu Abdullah (Conventry, UK)
15 min Management of MS in Japan Pr Kazuo Fujihara (Tokyo/Japan)
10 min Discussion
 Meeting room 2
Session 10: NMO and MOGAD special situations
11.00-12.30 Moderators: Pr Messouak Ouafae (Fes/ Morocco), Pr Kazuo Fujihara (Tokyo/Japan), Pr
DiaganaMohammadou (Nouakchot/ Mauritania)
15 min Epidemiology of NMOSD Pr Kazuo Fujihara (Tokyo/Japan)
15 min NMO: experience of Morocco & Sub-Saharan Africa Pr Najib Kissani (Marrakech, Morocco)
15 min NMO and MOGAD: experience of Marrakesh hospital university Pr Louhab Nissrine (Marrakech, Morocco)
15 min New treatments in NMO-MOGAD Pr Romain Marignier (Lyon, France)
15 min Climate change and heat waves affecting MS and NMO patients Dr Jacques Reis (Strasbourg/France)
15 min Discussion
12.30-13.00 MS symposium
13.00-14.45 Lunch-Break Workshop :
Workshop 1(Meeting room 1): Leadership & Workshop 2 (Meeting room 2): How can our patients
15.00-16.00 advocacy for young African neurologists; Pr Osheik with chronic disorders help in raising awarness, Mrs
Workshops Seidi (Khartoum/ Sudan); Pr Shehu Abdullah; Pr Najib Chantal Kanyabutembo (Kigali/ Rwanda) & Mr
Kissani Mahmoud Kharraza (Marrakech/ Morocco)
 Meeting room 1
Session 11: MS : clinical and imaging features
16.00-17.00 Moderators: Pr Louhab Nissrine (Marrakech/ Morocco),Pr Axel Petzold (London/UK)Pr Osheikh Seidi
(Khartoum/ Soudan)

20 min Pr Charkaoui Oussama (Marrakech,

Cognitive impairement in MS
Morocco)
20 min Pediatric MS Pr Zahlane Safaa (Marrakech, Morocco)
20 min Pr Touarsa Firdaouss et Pr Jiddane
Imaging of MS
Mohamed (Rabat/ Morocco)
Treating MS patients using Neuropsychological interventions:
20 min Dr Zia Wajid (Glasgow/UK)
Rerouting & Rewiring
10 min Discussion
 Meeting room 2
15.30-17.00 Session12: Headache session
Moderators: Pr YassineMebrouk (Morocco), Pr Agbetou Atok Mendinatou (Benin), Dr Kadira AbdiAden
(Djibouti City/Djibouti)
15 min Headache epidemiology and classification Dr Carlo Brogna (Rhode Island, USA)
15 min Migraine 2025: A Global Health Issue Taito Overcome, (secondary Pr Paolo Martelleti (Italy)
Headaches)
15 min Migraine in Childhood Pr Ishaq Abou Arafa (UK)
15 min Experience of TM and AI in Djibouti DrKadiraAbdiAden (Djibouti)
15 min Headache and sleep disorders Pr Fusun Maidait (Istanbul/Turkey)
15 min Management of primary headaches Pr M.YANG Jianhong (Ningbo/China
10min Discussion

17.00-18.00 Panel Recherche: How to promote research in developing countries

 3rd General public conference

3rd - General Public

Conference (Friday 23rd):
Sport & Brain Pr Driss
18.00-18.45 Moussaoui, psychiatrist
(Casablanca / Morocco)

19.00-20.00 Diner-Break
 DAY 4 (Saturday): 22ndFebruary
“Morning”: E-Health / Medical research Telemedicine / Artificial intelligence
Meeting room 1
Communications orales Moderators : Pr. R. Soulimani (France) /Pr Alfred Anselme (BUrkian Faso) Pr. P.
09.00-10.00
Bravetti (France)
Session 14: NEUROTOXICOLOGY: EXPOSURES, BRAIN DISEASE AND PREVENTION
10.00-11.30 Moderators: Pr Achour (Fes/ Morocco), Pr Ishaq Abou Arafa (Palestine/UK), Abdeljalil EL GOT (Setat/
Morocco)
15 min Neurotoxicology: overview from Exposures to Prevention Pr Rachid Soulimani (France)
15 min Relationship between oral biological contaminants and
Pr. Pierre Bravetti, France
facial neuropathy
15 min Neurotoxicology of plants and roots in Sub-Saharan Africa Pr Athanase Millogo (Burkina Faso)
15 min Neurotoxicology, how to prevent our nervous system? Dr Li Da Neurologist (Ninbgo/ China)
15 min Neurological toxicity of heavy metals in Morocco: data
from the Moroccan Antipoison and Pharmacovigilance Dr Fatima Daghouane (Rabat/Morocco)
Center
15 min Discussion
30 min Coffee-break
 Meeting room 1
Session 15 : Artificial intelligence
11.30-13.00 Moderators: Pr Salah Al Majeed (Iraq/Morocco), Pr Meryem Benhaddi (Morocco), Pr Victor Patterson
(London, UK)
15 min Moral and ethical components of intelligences Pr Gallo Diop (Dakar/Sénégal)
Digitalization of health ecosystem : opportunities, Pr Meriem Benhaddy (Marrakech/Morocco)
15 min
challenges and advices
15 min Ethics & research Pr El Kadmiri Nadia (Taroudante ; Morocco)
15 min Telemedicine & AI African Subsaharan experience Pr Christian Napon (Ouagadougou/ Burkina Fasso)
Boosting neurosciences in low and middle income
15 min Pr Francis Fezeu (Allemagne/USA)
countries through artificial intelligence
Discussion
15 min
 Meeting room 2
Session16 : Panel on research
11.30-13.00 Moderators: Dr Dardar Mohamed Ibrahim (Djibouti); Pr Eliachiv Dawn (USA), Dr Hassani Mohamed
(Morocco/Rabat)
15 min Ideas of research in neuroscience Pr Najib Kissani (Marrakech/ Morocco)
15 min Update of Good clinical practice and new regulation in Pr Ali Ben Omar (Rabat/ Morocco)
Morroco
15 min Step in editing and publishing a paper in neuroscience Pr Paolo Martelleti (Editor in chief of Headache &
Pain, Italy)
15 min Challenges et difficultés de recherche en NS dans les pays Pr Lala Seck (Sénégal)
en développement
15 min Research in NS seen from the young researcher Pr Jennifer Leoncio (Brazil)
15 min Conclusions, remarks and perspectives Pr Paolo Martelleti (Editor in chief of Headache &
Pain, Italy)
15 min Discussion
13.15-14.45 Lunch-Break
Workshop 2 (Meeting room 2) :
Workshop 1 (Meeting room 1) : Les approches
15.00- Mrs Chantal Kanyabutembo: challenge on patient
d’évaluations de l’impact sanitaire des multi expositions
16.00Workshop with epilepsy, why we enhance youth Nurse to close
(Pr Rachid Soulimani, France)
gap on treatments (Kigali/ Rwanda)
 Meeting room 1
Session 17: Psychiatry and Neurology
16.00-17.15 Moderators: Pr Driss Moussaoui (Casablanca/ Morocco), Pr Abdella Shehu (London/ UK), Pr Dabilgou Alfred
(Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)
13 min Mental health issues in RCA and Sub-Saharan Africa, Mrs Ann (Central Africa Republic)
13 min Santé mentale et changement climatique Dr Jacques Reis (Strasbourg/France)
13 min Pedopsychiatric services and therapies Dr Dalton (Pedopsychiatrist/ USA)
13 min Psychiatry in the 21st century, what next? Pr Caleb Gregoire (Central Africa Republic)
Empowerment of the relatives in recovery of psychiatric Dr Tyal Mohamed Hachem, psychiatrist (Casablanca /
13 min
disorders Psychic balance. Morocco)
10 min Discussion
17.15-
Announcement of Prices for best clinical and
17.45 fundamental NS posters

Session 18: Panel on Community medecine & GP / neurologist how to collaborate?

Moderators: Pr Gallo Diop (Dakar/Senegal), Pr Osheikh Seidi (Khartoum/Sudan), Pr Khalid Choulli (Morocco)
Place of the general practitioner in the management of neurological diseases Dr Azizi Fatima (President of
Moroccan Federation of general
Practioners)
How can we introduce GPs in neurology care in Morocco? Pr Najib Kissani (Marrakech/
17.45-18.45
Morocco)
General medicine in Nurkin Faso & Sub Saharan Africa how it helps in neurology Pr Dabilgou Alfred (Ouagadougou/
care? Burkin Faso)
How is General medicine organized regarding neurology practice in UK? Shehu Abdullah (London/UK)
Where is the Brazilian & Latin American general practitioner located in term of
Pr Jennifer Leoncio (Brazil)
Panel neurology care?
Conclusions & recommendations for ministry of health in African countries
 4th General public conference
4th -4th -General Public
Conference (Thursday 22nd): La
pair-aidance.
Dr Said Fattah (France),
President of scientific committee
of « Association mondiale de
18.45-19.30 psychiatrie sociale»Public
19.30-20.30 Conference (Thursday 22nd): La
pair-aidance.
Dr Said Fattah (France),
President of scientific committee
of « Association mondiale de
psychiatrie sociale»
Diner-Break
DAY 5 (Sunday): “Patient’s Day” 23rd February
2025
Inauguration of sport, art & recreation day
Coran
National Moroccan Hymn
Pr Najib Kissani: president of the organizing committee &
LMCE (Morocco)
Mr Abderrahmane Ait Quirro: President of the NGO: National
Federation of Neurological & Psychiatric patients’
Her Excellence Mrs Ambassador of Rwanda
Dr Aboulhassan, Director of Mohamed VI of handicap in Sale
(Morocco)
Mr Mahmoud Kharraza, Coordinator of Social day activities
(Morocco)
Mrs Chantal Kantabutembo: President of Rwanda Association
for patients with Epilepsy (Rwanda)
 Games and sport activities
Games and sport activities Social conferences

25min Mr Mohamed
5 min Agli (Morocco),
Interactive healing---- Mr Hassan
Hargoun
‫العالج التفاعلي‬ (Morocco), Pr
09.00 - 13.00 Shehu Abdullah
(Coventry/UK)
Le rôle de la fédération
25min des associations pour Mr Ait Quirrou
Football améliorer la PEC et la
qualité des vies des
Abderrahim

matches 5 min
malades
Discussion

for 25min
Décision thérapeutique, à
qui revient le dernier Pr Najib Kissani
mot ?
epilepsy 5 min Discussion
The Attitude of health Mme
patients 25min care workers less
experienced with
Chantal Kanya
Boutembo
epilepsy and how can we
reform the leadership and
drive the stigmatization
out of society via boot
camps and health care
training
5 min Discussion
25min Place de l’aidant dans le Témoignage
suivi du patient suivi d’aidants de
pour épilepsie patients
Alzheimer et
Parkinson avancé
5 min Discussion

13.00-14.30 Lunch-Break
14.30 - 17.00 Chess games for speaker/attendees and patients
with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease and other
disorders
17.00 -17.30 Clôture de la journée sociale / Closing of the social
day
Remise des cadeaux/ Presentation of gifts