The 5^th Congress of the Latin-American Society of Neuromuscular Diseases – SOLANE 2025 took place from May 29 to 31, 2025, at the Hotel Royal Pedregal in Mexico City.

This event marked a significant step forward in fostering Latin American contributions to the global neuromuscular research and clinical community. More than 400 medical professionals, researchers, and industry representatives attended the Congress, representing 21 countries, and making it the most impactful SOLANE event to date.

The Congress served as a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, clinical training, and the development of regional strategies for care, diagnosis, and innovation in neuromuscular disorders.

The scientific agenda, led by a select group of world opinion leaders in neuromuscular disorders, covered a broad spectrum of key topics in neuromuscular disease, with a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and case-based learning. The audience learned about the latest developments and breakthroughs in standards of care, ongoing treatments, and innovative advanced therapies, including autoimmune, metabolic and hereditary neuromuscular diseases.

Leading experts in the field brilliantly discussed the application of AI tools, molecular diagnosis, and MRI pattern recognition. The agenda also made space for insightful debates on the diagnosis and management of core diseases such as DMD, SMA myotonic dystrophy, while concentrating on the Latin American reality.

Invited international speakers’ and local experts’ plenary sessions were combined with focused thematic panels covering diagnostics, translational science, and therapeutic strategies, and interactive practical clinical case and a hands-on physiotherapy workshop were part of the programme.

New features of SOLANE 2025 included the introduction of poster communications, with 46 poster presentations from early-career clinicians and researchers from across Latin America, as well as the introduction of the partnership and support of the World Muscle Society, which is crucial in increasing visibility, credibility, and outreach across disciplines through the dissemination of Congress activities and conferences on the WMS network.

The Congress included seven pharmaceutical symposia, integrated into the daily schedule during breakfast, lunch, and poster sessions. These sessions allowed for in-depth discussion of novel therapies, pipeline research, and real-world challenges in the implementation of treatment protocols across diverse healthcare systems.

Dr Aldo Francisco Ghisoni Silva, from Santiago, Chile said: “This was my first time attending SOLANE. I heard about the Congress from teachers and other colleagues interested in neuromuscular medicine. Overall, it was a great experience. Speakers were leaders in their fields and shared recent advances and innovative approaches to various diseases. Everything was well organised, and the Mexican hosts were excellent. I’m looking forward to attending the Congress again.”

And Dr Francisca Fajre Caamaño, a neuromuscular neurologist also in Santiago, Chile added: “I learned about SOLANE thanks to my professors during my training as a neurologist and as a Neuromuscular Fellow. I participated in the online format offered during the pandemic, and then had an excellent in-person experience in 2023. It's a high-quality conference and allowed me to update my knowledge. It's also interesting to learn about the work of other neuromuscular colleagues in Latin America, their experiences and work methodologies, which are similar to our own experience, but with challenges and limitations that make it difficult to compare with the experience presented at international conferences in Europe and the USA.

“The poster session added important academic space and content, allowing us to learn about the lines of work and interests of professionals you weren't familiar with from your own country, as well as from other countries, creating a rich space for exchange around the work.

“I would attend SOLANE again because it's a high-quality conference that contributes to my professional practice from an educational perspective and allows me to stay up-to-date. It also provides an opportunity to interact with neuromuscular colleagues in the region, including during breaks and opportunities to exchange ideas, and establish collaborations to enhance our way of working for the benefit of our patients.”

The event organisers, led by Prof. Dr. Alberto Dubrovsky, are more than satisfied and excited with the growing success of SOLANE. The SOLANE community feels pleased to promote this long- awaited strengthening of neuromuscular scientific networks in the region and worldwide, and to provide continuing education opportunities in local languages, which encourages research collaboration and participation in global clinical trials, research and awareness for the benefit of our patients.

The SOLANE 2025 Congress stands as a milestone in the integration of Latin America into global neuromuscular research and clinical practice. As event organisers, we are deeply grateful for the collaboration with the WMS and look forward to strengthening this partnership in future editions.

If you are organising an event that would benefit from WMS funding or support, you can find out more about the project proposal submission process on our website or contact [email protected] for more information. The deadline for the next round of applications is 22^nd September 2025.