The Stephen Hawking Mystery: KazNMU Discusses the Secrets Behind Motor Neuron Degeneration
On May 22, a unique lecture was held in the legendary Manshuk Mametova Auditorium of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University. The lecture was delivered by Professor Mansur Amirovich Kutlubaev — Head of the Department of Neurology at Bashkir State Medical University, Chief Neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and Honored Doctor of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The distinguished guest’s visit took place within the framework of the prestigious “Visiting Professor” program and the large-scale “ANaMedFORUM 2026.”
The event was opened with welcoming remarks by Gulzhan Amangeldievna Shopayeva, Dean of the School of General Medicine-2 (SGM-2). She emphasized the importance of international exchange of experience and noted that visits by professors of such caliber enable KazNMU students and physicians to stay at the forefront of modern medical science.
The lecture topic — “The Stephen Hawking Mystery: Why Do Motor Neurons Die?” — attracted significant interest within the medical community. Professor M.A. Kutlubaev presented an in-depth scientific analysis of the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, using the life story of the great physicist Stephen Hawking as an example of remarkable resilience and clinical complexity.
The lecture brought together a distinguished audience, including:
- Residents and faculty members of the Department of Nervous Diseases at KazNMU and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University,
- Participants of advanced training courses from various medical institutions across Kazakhstan,
- International colleagues who specially traveled from Andijan, Uzbekistan, to attend the meeting.
Online participation was also available for attendees from remote regions of the country, including Aktau and Atyrau.
During the meeting, participants discussed modern theories of neuronal death, methods of early diagnosis, and перспективные approaches to the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The interactive format allowed practicing physicians to receive answers to complex clinical questions.
The event became another important step in strengthening the international scientific collaboration of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and in advancing the professional development of domestic and international specialists in the field of neurology.
