The 22nd Annual Meeting of the Asian and Oceanian Myology Center (AOMC) and the 10th Annual Meeting of the Japan Muscle Society (JMS) was held at the Nara Prefectural Convention Center in Nara, Japan, from September 12-15, 2024. Prof. Ichizo Nishino of the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan, served as chairperson. The meeting spanned a wide range of topics, from clinical examination to basic science, including natural history studies, neurophysiological and structural mechanisms, disease modeling, and therapy development. A total of 530 participants enjoyed an exciting and diverse learning experience.

In this four-day meeting, the entire first day was dedicated to educational sessions, including the AOMC-WMS Collaborative Session featuring three distinguished speakers sent by the WMS: Prof Alessandra Ferlini, Prof Jordi Alberto Diaz-Manera, and Prof. Werner Stenzel. This collaborative session was chaired by A/Prof Wen-Chen Liang from Taiwan and A/Prof Gina Ravenscroft from Australia. Prof Diaz-Manera discussed the future-forward role of muscle imaging in optimising the connection between genetic diagnosis and disease phenotype through imaging studies. Prof Ferlini described the optimisation of genetic testing, transitioning from single-gene analysis to next-generation sequencing. Finally, Prof Stenzel detailed the complexities of inclusion body myositis and its differential diagnosis.

The remaining three days included two keynote lectures, 14 symposia, and oral and poster scientific sessions, along with morning and lunch seminars. Keynote lectures were delivered by Prof Michio Hirano of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, USA, and Dr Yoshitsugu Aoki of the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan. Prof Hirano focused on emerging therapies for thymidine phosphorylase and thymidine kinase 2 deficiencies, while Dr Aoki discussed exon skipping therapies and innovations in personalised drug development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Symposia included the AOMC-TREAT-NMD Collaborative Symposium, featuring Prof Annemieke Aartsma-Rus, dispatched by the TREAT-NMD Alliance, along with Prof Alessandra Ferlini and Prof Masanori Takahashi from Japan, who discussed therapy development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and clinical trials for myotonic dystrophy.

Another significant symposium addressed the current status of the neuromuscular field in new member and expected-to-be new member countries. This topic is particularly important as the AOMC region (Asia and Oceania) encompasses a highly diverse area in terms of language, culture, religion, economic status, and availability of neuromuscular medicine, unlike other parts of the world. Chaired by Dr Umapathi Thirugnanam from Singapore and Dr Ohnmar from Myanmar, this symposium included presentations from Dr Le Tri Si from Vietnam, Dr Abdulnasir Hussin from Iraq, Dr Altynshash Jaxybayeva from Kazakhstan, Dr Sanjaya Shanthiputhra from Sri Lanka, and Dr Southanalinh Keovilayhong, highlighting the myology status in their respective countries and the challenges they face in building neuromuscular services.

AOMC and JMS also recognised the work of scientists in the mid-career, young investigator, and student categories. Their enthusiasm for discovering new insights in neuromuscular disease research and care offers hope for brighter and more effective disease management and patient care.

As a demonstration of our commitment to developing the field of neuromuscular disorders through clinical research and patient care, the WMS is seeking project proposals for funding and broader support. We want to break down the barriers to access for our community and ensure that scientists around the world can network, learn from one another, share science and publish their work. The project proposals process is available to all WMS members. For more information and to apply for funding, please visit the project proposals page of the WMS website.’