More Than 3,500 Neurologists and Researchers from Around 100 Countries Attend
The 27th World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2025), the largest academic event in the global neurology community, was held from October 12 to 15, 2025, at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This congress was co-hosted by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the Korean Neurological Association (KNA), with more than 3,500 neurologists and researchers from around 100 countries in attendance.
WCN, which began in Brussels, Belgium, in 1961, is the world's largest international neurology congress, held every four years. This is the first time the event has been hosted in Korea. Kim Seunghyun, President of the Korean Neurological Association and Professor of Neurology at Hanyang University Hospital, stated, "This congress in Seoul will serve as a milestone for the advancement of neurology not only in Asia but worldwide," adding, "It is meaningful to provide a platform for new trends in neuroscience research and global collaboration."
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon said in his welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony, "In an era of aging populations, neurological diseases are a critical challenge that we must all address together, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government is deeply committed and making various efforts in this area. I hope this congress will be a meaningful opportunity to share the latest research achievements and find new solutions for these issues."
This year's congress theme was "The Heart of Innovation in Neurology." Under the overall direction of Organizing Committee Chair Jeon Beomseok, the program included approximately 130 sessions, such as keynote lectures, educational sessions, regional academic symposia, and hands-on workshops. Major sessions covered not only neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and neuroimmunological disorders, but also the latest advancements in brain science research and clinical innovation, including AI and digital healthcare.
The keynote lectures featured leading scholars in global neurology, including Wolfgang Grisold, Guy Rouleau, and Steven L. Lewis, who presented future directions for neuroscience and models for global collaboration.
Notably, this congress showcased Korea's innovative achievements in digital health, such as AI-based early diagnosis technologies for brain diseases, digital therapeutics (DTx), and remote neurorehabilitation technologies, to an international audience. Additionally, the "Patient Day" program, which included participation from the general public and patients, helped foster a social consensus on patient-centered care, neurological disease prevention, and cognitive health management.
The congress also introduced a sustainable international event model through its "Sustainability Initiative," featuring eco-friendly exhibitions, paperless operations, and carbon-neutral certification.
Choi Hojin, Secretary General of the Korean Neurological Association and Professor at Hanyang University Guri Hospital, who oversaw the practical operations of the congress, said, "WCN is the most prestigious academic event in the field of neuroscience, bringing together neurologists and researchers from all over the world. Through this congress, the Korean Neurological Association will strive to ensure that neuroscience in Korea grows alongside the rest of the world."
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