The Second Caucasus Regional Course of Neuroepidemiology, to be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from October 18 to 24, 2026, is an advanced educational initiative designed to strengthen knowledge and research skills in neuroepidemiology among neurologists, physicians, researchers, and health professionals from the Caucasus region and beyond.
Organized by the European University of Georgia and the WFN Specialty Group of Neuroepidemiology, with the endorsement of the World Federation of Neurology, the course brings together an international faculty with extensive experience in clinical neurology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and population-based research.
The program provides a structured introduction to the principles and methods of neuroepidemiological research, including population surveys, case-control and cohort studies, clinical trials, diagnostic tests, statistical methods, and the interpretation of epidemiological evidence. Particular emphasis is placed on the critical appraisal of scientific literature and on the practical application of epidemiological methods to neurological research.
An important component of the course is the active participation of attendees through the presentation and discussion of their own research projects. This approach aims to promote scientific exchange, critical thinking, and the development of collaborative research networks within the region.
The course is intended to provide participants with both a solid conceptual foundation and practical tools to design, conduct, interpret, and critically evaluate epidemiological studies in neurology, contributing to the development of high-quality neurological research and improved understanding of neurological diseases at the population level.
MORE INFORMATION: European University of Georgia
POSTER
PROGRAM
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PROGRAM
DAY 1 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
ARRIVAL AND ACCOMMODATION
DAY 2 – Monday, October 19, 2026
Morning – INTRODUCTION AND SURVEYS IN NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY
09:30–13:00
09:30–10:00 – WELCOME
10:00–10:15 – INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE – Walter Rocca
10:15–11:00 – BASIC IDEAS AND TERMINOLOGY – Walter Rocca
11:00–11:45 – POPULATION SURVEYS (PART 1) – Walter Rocca
11:45–12:00 – Coffee Break
12:00–12:45 – POPULATION SURVEYS (PART 2) – Walter Rocca
12:45–13:00 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon
14:00–18:00
14:00–16:15 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY, PART 1 – Walter Rocca
16:15–16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30–17:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY, PART 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00–18:00 – PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS – Participants
18:00–18:30 – OPENING CEREMONY
DAY 3 – Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Morning – ANALYTIC STUDIES
10:00–13:00
10:00–10:45 – ANALYTIC STUDIES: OVERVIEW – Walter Rocca
10:45–11:30 – CASE-CONTROL STUDIES – Walter Rocca
11:30–12:00 – Coffee Break
12:00–12:45 – COHORT STUDIES – Walter Rocca
12:45–13:00 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon
14:00–18:00
14:00–16:15 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A CASE-CONTROL STUDY, PART 1 – Walter Rocca
16:15–16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30–17:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A CASE-CONTROL STUDY, PART 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00–18:00 – PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS – Participants
DAY 4 – Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Morning – CLINICAL TRIALS
10:00–13:00
10:00–11:30 – CLINICAL TRIALS – Giancarlo Logroscino
11:30–11:45 – Coffee Break
11:45–12:30 – INFERENCES FROM EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH – Giancarlo Logroscino
12:30–13:00 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon – Free
DAY 5 – Thursday, October 22, 2026
Morning – STATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
10:00–13:00
10:00–10:45 – USE AND MISUSE OF STATISTICS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY – Jeremiah A. Aakre
10:45–11:30 – IMPORTANCE VERSUS SIGNIFICANCE – Jeremiah A. Aakre
11:30–11:45 – Coffee Break
11:45–12:45 – CONFOUNDING AND INTERACTION – Jeremiah A. Aakre
12:45–13:00 – GENERAL DISCUSSION
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon
14:00–18:00
14:00–16:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A COHORT STUDY, PART 1 – Walter Rocca
16:00–16:15 – Coffee Break
16:15–17:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A COHORT STUDY, PART 2 – Walter Rocca
17:00–18:00 – HOW TO CARRY OUT AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN LOW-FREQUENCY (RARE) NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES – Giancarlo Logroscino
DAY 6 – Friday, October 23, 2026
Morning – DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
10:00–13:00
10:00–10:45 – DIAGNOSTIC TESTS – GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS – Carlos Ketzoian
10:45–11:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – DIAGNOSTIC TESTS – Carlos Ketzoian & Jeremiah A. Aakre
11:30–11:45 – Coffee Break
11:45–13:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – DIAGNOSTIC TESTS: FINAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION – Carlos Ketzoian & Jeremiah A. Aakre
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
Afternoon
14:00–18:00
14:00–16:00 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A CLINICAL TRIAL, PART 1 – Giancarlo Logroscino
16:00–16:15 – Coffee Break
16:15–17:30 – HOW TO READ A PAPER – A CLINICAL TRIAL, PART 2 – Giancarlo Logroscino
17:30–18:00 – ACADEMIC CLOSURE OF THE COURSE – Professor Walter Rocca
GENERAL CLOSURE OF THE COURSE – Professor Natia Jojua
DAY 7 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
DEPARTURE
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Organization and Endorsements
OVERVIEW
Objectives
To provide participants with a practical and comprehensive understanding of the core principles of neuroepidemiology, including study design, interpretation of epidemiological evidence, and application of epidemiological methods to neurological diseases. The course aims to strengthen participants’ ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and develop and conduct epidemiological research, including studies of rare neurological disorders.
Key Topics
- Fundamentals and terminology of neuroepidemiology
- Population surveys and descriptive epidemiology
- Case-control and cohort studies
- Clinical trials and epidemiological research
- Diagnostic tests and evaluation of diagnostic evidence
- Statistics in epidemiology: significance, importance, confounding and interaction
- Critical appraisal and interpretation of scientific papers
- Epidemiological research in rare neurological diseases
- Presentation and discussion of participants’ research projects
Methodology
The course combines expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, critical appraisal of scientific papers, and participants’ presentations. Practical “How to Read a Paper” sessions will enable participants to apply epidemiological concepts to real research studies, while discussions and feedback on participants’ own research projects will support the development of practical research skills.
Language: English
TEACHING TEAM AND COORDINATION
TEACHING TEAM:
- Professor Walter A. Rocca – Mayo Clinic – Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.
- Professor Giancarlo Logroscino – University of Bari – Bari, Italy
- Professor Jeremiah A. Aakre – Mayo Clinic – Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.
- Professor Carlos Ketzoian – Neuroepidemiology Section – Institute of Neurology – Montevideo, Uruguay
COORDINATION
- Professor Natia Jojua - Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the European University - Tbilisi, Georgia
- Doctor Giorgi Matchavariani - Tbilisi, Georgia
MORE INFORMATION: European University of Georgia