The I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy is participating in the implementation of an international scientific and educational project within the framework of the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2). The programme is aimed at studying the genetic factors of Parkinson’s disease and strengthening research capacity in countries with limited resources.
The project is being implemented with the participation of KSMA in cooperation with international scientific partners, including the University of Lübeck, Germany, and is aimed at advancing research on neurodegenerative diseases in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the country’s scientific capacity in the fields of neurology and neuroscience, train specialists in clinical and genetic research on Parkinson’s disease, and integrate Kyrgyzstan into international scientific initiatives dedicated to the study of this condition.
Project duration: 2024–2029.
Key Objectives of the Project
The project is aimed at addressing several key objectives:
- developing research competencies among neurologists and early-career researchers;
- improving knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with Parkinson’s disease;
- advancing genetic research on neurodegenerative diseases;
- establishing a national research network of specialists working in the field of Parkinson’s disease;
- integrating Kyrgyz researchers into the international scientific community.
Key Project Activities
The following activities have already been implemented within the framework of the project:
- educational workshops with international participation for neurologists from Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries, including:
the Workshop on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonian Disorders (28–29 March 2024);
the Central Asian Movement Disorders Camp (10–11 December 2024, Bishkek);
the Workshop on Bioinformatics (5–6 June 2025, Bishkek); - training in the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, medical genetics, and bioinformatics;
- scientific seminars and training sessions for physicians and researchers;
- establishment of research teams and development of cooperation among clinical institutions;
- patient examinations conducted by physician-researchers of the GP2 Kyrgyzstan team in Bishkek and various regions of the country, including Osh (7–11 October 2024 and 24–31 May 2025), Jalal-Abad (28 July–2 August 2025), and Batken (18–23 September 2025), aimed at screening, improving diagnosis, and enhancing the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian disorders in Kyrgyzstan;
- preparation for a national study on Parkinson’s disease.
Scientific and Educational Activities
Within the framework of the project, specialists are being trained in conducting clinical and genetic research. Participants receive training in modern approaches to the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, methods of collecting clinical data, bioethical principles, and approaches to the analysis of scientific information.
Educational activities contribute to the development of interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and data analysis specialists.
Research Prospects
One of the key areas of the project is preparation for research aimed at collecting clinical information and biological samples from patients with Parkinson’s disease in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The data obtained will be incorporated into the international database of the GP2 programme, contributing to broader representation of Central Asian populations in global genetic research on Parkinson’s disease.
Significance of the Project for KSMA
The participation of the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy in the international GP2 programme contributes to:
- the development of the University’s research activities;
- strengthening international scientific cooperation;
- enhancing the professional qualifications of physicians and researchers;
- advancing research on neurodegenerative diseases in Kyrgyzstan.
The implementation of the project creates new opportunities for integrating national specialists into international scientific initiatives and contributes to the development of modern neurological science in the country.