Conference proceedings from the Western Canadian Neuromuscular Conference (WCNMC) - September 27-29, 2024, Calgary,...

The Western Canadian Neuromuscular Conference (WCNMC) is a conference focused on neuromuscular medicine that was held in Calgary, Alberta from September 27-29, 2024. Although WCNMC has a history going back to 2010 as a regional event, the most recent iteration of the conference aimed to expand this as a national meeting. A collaboration with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Neuromuscular Network for Canada (NMD4C) helped to achieve this goal and encourage participation from across Canada. Other goals for this event were to increase the opportunities for trainees, showcase new research, and integrate new topics into the program. The sessions included a clinicopathologic case series for the first time, which was led by neuromuscular fellows from across Canada. Sessions covering topics in neuromuscular disease focused on challenging diagnostic situations, and therapeutic developments for diseases including spinal muscular atrophy, Pompe disease, and TTR amyloidosis. A separate session covered genetic neuromuscular diseases, with a focus on conditions with genetic founder effects in western Canada. Finally, a transdisciplinary session was included, which discussed patient-focused issues in neuromuscular care, as well as preliminary results from the Burden of Inherited Neuromuscular Disease (BIND) study, on the indirect costs of living with a neuromuscular disorder. A research symposium at the conclusion of the event focused on trainee-led research but also included lectures regarding antisense therapies in neuromuscular disease and updates in research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.