The Second International Congress on Neurodermatology and Rare Diseases: The Axis of the Brain and Skin. Truth or myth?

On Wednesday, the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases of the Faculty of Medicine of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) together with the Kaunas Regional Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists organised a conference “Neurodermatology and Rare Diseases”, which aimed to share international expertise with dermatovenerologists and other doctors. 

The programme of Congress covered four main topics and sessions: The Axis of the Brain and Skin, Infection and Neurodermatology, Inflammation and Degeneration, and  Rare Clinical Cases. 

“Doctors from dermatovenerology, neurology, our ideological allies from other specialities gathered at this conference. The event is important for the University because it promotes knowledge and ideas, as well as inter-regional and international cooperation,” said the LSMU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr. K. Petrikonis in his opening speech. 

“We are delighted that there was a lot of interest in the event; there were 201 attendees and more than 20 presenters, including six international lecturers. The event was mainly attended by dermatovenerology and neurology doctors, students and resident doctors. This year, the programme of the Congress is even wider, with more international and national lecturers involved. The 21st Congress of the Baltic Association of Dermatovenerologists, scheduled for 5–6th November 2026, in Kaunas, will include a Neurodermatology session”, said the initiator of the event Prof. S. Valiukevičienė. 

Insights from a world-class dermatology expert at the conference 

The first report was delivered by Prof. Habil. Dr. Christos C. Zouboulis. The professor is the head of the Laboratory of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology of Dessau Medical Center and the Laboratory of Biogerontology, Dermatopharmacology and Dermatoendocrinology. He is the coordinator of the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Skin Diseases (ERN-SKIN) ALLOCATE group. His fields of scientific and practical interest include general dermatology, dermatoendocrinology, rare skin diseases.  

Professor Christos C. Zouboulis’s lecture “Cortropin as an Essential Hormone that Regulates Joint Brain and Skin Activity” became the conference’s primary focus.  

“Less familiar with the topic of the conference may raise the question of what dermatology and neurology can have in common – two seemingly different disciplines. However, studies show that the skin and brain from an embryological point of view have the same origin, from ectoderm. Therefore, skin and nerve tissues at the molecular level have links that are important for the pathogenesis and management of dermatological and neurological diseases. Thus, understanding that these aspects need to be identified, understood and explored is an incredible step forward. I am happy to be a part of that,” the professor spoke on the subject of the conference.  

After the presentation, the professor received not only questions, but also pleasant surprises – he was awarded the title of honorary member of Kaunas Regional Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists. Later he met with LSMU Vice-Rector for Science Prof. Habil. Dr Vaiva Lesauskaitė. During the meeting, the possibilities of continuous experimental scientific interdisciplinary cooperation between young scientists and students of dermatology and neuroscience were discussed.  

Since 2023 Professor Christos Zouboulis has been working as the Chief Researcher at LSMU in the project of the Research Group of the Research Council of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences HYDRA (No. 2023-PRO-00059/ No. P-MIT-23-436). In the project, dermatologists together with the laboratory team of the LSMU Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology investigate the immunomodulatory effects of placental stem cells in vitro (skin tissues) and ex vivo (blood samples). During the project, promising results of the study were obtained for a new treatment technology for patients with a rare chronic autoimmune disease – Hidradenitis suppurativa.    

Presentation of the latest research and complex clinical cases in four sessions 

In the first session,the “Axis of the Brain and Skin”, international lecturers presented remotely. Prof. Habil. Dr. Steffen Emmert read a report about Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). For patients with XP, the first signs of premature skin ageing occur at an early age and the risk of developing skin cancer caused by UV rays increases significantly. XP belongs to a group of disorders of cellular DNA repair defects, which are most often diagnosed clinically and only later are confirmed at the molecular level. Unfortunately, there are no causal treatment options for this rare autosomal recessive disorder, but early diagnosis and protection from UV radiation are crucial. In the case of XP, the nervous system can also be affected (Cocayne syndrome).  

Professor S. Emmert earned his doctorate by studying genotoxicity and mutagenicity of 1, 2 dioxins in human cells using a plasmic shuttle vector. This work was awarded the German National Science Prize and in 1997 became the main activity axis of the professor’s leading clinic of Dermatology and Venereology of the University Medical Centre Rostock and the opportunity for this Centre to join ERN-SKIN network in the field of rare skin tumours.  

The President of the Polish Dermatological Society, Professor Jacek Szepietowski of Wroclaw, presented the report “the Axis of Neuroimmune Itching” remotely. In the presentation, the professor mentioned that the clinical picture, etiology and treatment strategy of chronic itching are heterogeneous. Sensory nerves may be activated by environmental or endogenous stimulus factors. After this stimulation, the sensory nerve endings release the neurotransmitter into the skin, again contributing to inflammation, impaired barrier function and itching. In addition, dysfunctional peripheral and central neuronal structures contribute to neuroinflammation, neuropathic chronic itching and resistance to therapy, especially in atopic dermatitis. 

Visiting Professor Harald Gollnick, Professor Emeritus at the University of Magdeburg Otto-von-Guericke, remotely presented a report on “Anogenital Itching”. Professor reminded that anogenital itching (AN) is a troublesome and often non-disclosed symptom of various dermatovenerological, neurological and psychosomatic diseases. It is important to identify these diseases, treat and select the appropriate symptomatic local treatment.    

Children’s physician haematologist Rūta Maškė presented a report on “Neurofibromatosis Diagnostics and Treatment Options”, available experience with children who have this rare disease. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that causes changes in skin pigment and neural tissue tumours. Early diagnosis of this rare disease in childhood can be aided by dermatological symptoms, noticed multiple bleached coffee spots, multiple freckles in the folds of the body, Lisch nodules found in the iris of the eyes.  

The second part of the event“Infection and Neurodermatology” was chaired by the Head of the Skin and Venereology Outpatient and Inpatient Department of LSMU Kaunas Hospital, Doctor Daiva Stanienė, together with the LSMU guest from the University of Connecticut Health Center Prof. Dalia Giedrimienė. In this part, the presentations about the  atypical forms of herpes zoster in immunosuppressive patients were presented by Prof. Skaidra Valiukevičienė and Prof. Kęstutis Petrikonis.  

A remote report on the “Issues of Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease” was read by Kevin Dieckhaus, a professor at the University of Connecticut. The early stage of Lyme disease in the skin is most often manifested by migrating erythema. In such cases, there is no positive serological reaction. Adult patients are treated with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 10 to 14 days. When there is a neurological symptom of Lyme disease, treatment is prolonged to 14–21 days, intravenous ceftriaxone is prescribed for the treatment of severe neurological and cardiological conditions at 2 g/d for 14–21 days.  

”Dermatological Symptoms and Clinical Cases of Lyme Disease” were presented by the lecturer of the LSMU Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Doctor Dermatovenerologist Arūnas Petkevičius. “Clinical Expression and Diagnostic Issues of Syphilis” were shared by LSMU Skin and Venereal Diseases Assoc. Prof. Vesta Kučinskienė. The report on “Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis Associated with Concomitant Diseases by IL23 Inhibitors” was presented by Dermatovenerologist Dominyka Stragytė, PhD student of the LSMU Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases.       

The third part of the conference“Inflammation and Degeneration” was begun by Prof. Giedrė Jurkevičienė, Professor at the Department of Neurology of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and a Paediatric Neurologist Milda Dambrauskienė, who gave a presentation “The Sleeping Beauty: The Relationship Between Skin and Sleep”. The quality of sleep affects the condition of the skin, and vice versa, skin diseases can disrupt sleep. In the treatment of skin diseases, attention should also be paid to the quality of sleep of the patient, as lack of sleep can make it more difficult to heal wounds, complicate the course of atopic dermatitis or acne, and accelerate the ageing processes of the skin. 

A remote report on “Parkinson’s Disease and Skin Damage” was presented by a Neuroscientist working in the UK, Dr. Kristina Laučkaitė. Parkinson’s disease can cause a variety of skin lesions. Some skin changes may be related to the disease itself, others are caused by medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Dr. K. Laučkaitė recalled that Parkinson’s disease is associated with a higher risk of melanoma, so it is important to warn patients about the need to use sunscreen and conduct regular check. 

Dr. Gintautė Samušytė (LSMU MA Department of Neurology) gave a presentation “Non-Motor Effects of Botulinum Toxin: From Pain to Feeling Good”. It is known to everyone that botulinum toxin is used in the treatment of muscle spasticity or in the reduction of wrinkles, while Dr. G. Samušytė, in her report, reviewed the benefits of botulinum toxin in treating chronic pain, possible complex mechanisms, how it helps with migraines, and presented new studies that show that botulinum toxin can be used to treat depression. 

Prof. Dr. Renata Balnytė (LSMU Department of Neurology)presented the report“Multiple Sclerosis and Dermatology. From Pathogenesis to Treatment: Do We Have Synergy?” The professor shared insights on how similar etiopathogenetic factors can cause several autoimmune diseases, reviewed common factors, clinical signs and treatment peculiarities of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. Future research should better define both genetic and genomic etiopathogenesis of various diseases, in the hope that more effective and targeted treatment and prevention for several autoimmune diseases will be developed. 

In the fourth part of the event, LSMU Professor Dr. Neurologist Prof. Renata Balnytė, Dermatovenerologist of LSMU and VU Assoc. Prof. Vesta Kučinskienė and Assoc. Prof. Rūta Gancevičienė represented the jury in the selection of the most interesting clinical case. During this session, resident doctors presented clinical cases of rare skin and nerve diseases, prepared together with resident managers, which provided valuable insights into neurology and dermatology and their connections.  

Practical examples highlighted the importance of interconnectedness between these areas in clinical practice. These are: “Neurological Symptoms in Scleroderma” (Aistė Jankevičiūtė), “Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Pain Management” (Gabrielė Vengalytė), “Cystic fibrosis and Polyneuropathy” (Camilla Rumševičius), “Herpes Zoster: More than just a Skin Rash” (Kamilė Kalendraitė), “The Challenges of Tuberous Sclerosis” (Tadas Vanagas), “Dermatological Manifestations of Hereditary Ataxia“ (Miglė Natkevičienė), “Reactive Perforating Collagenosis” (Kamilė Meliešiūtė). 

The jury recognised the LSMU Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases Resident Aistė Jankevičiūtė and LSMU Department of Neurology Resident Tadas Vanagas and their co-authors works as the best clinical cases. Their lecturers were awarded with cash prizes established by conference organisers. The final session of the reports was chaired by LSMU professor Dr. Neurologist Prof. Renata Balnytė, LSMU and VU Dermatovenerologist  Assoc. Prof. Vesta Kučinskienė and Assoc. Prof. Rūta Gancevičienė.  

The Second International Congress on Neurodermatology and Rare Diseases attracted great interest and gave the opportunity to hear the wisdom of experienced speakers. This year’s congress was even more successful. Gifts were given to international speakers, and cash prizes were awarded for the finest clinical cases. The Congress encouraged scientific cooperation, which will continue at the Congress of the Baltic Association of Dermatovenerologists in Kaunas in 2026.  

“This conference was a great opportunity to deepen the knowledge of the links between the skin and the nervous system. We are pleased that students were given the chance to help prepare clinical cases in addition to volunteering or attending the conference. Such involvement provides valuable practical experience and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to medicine,” LSMU student, Livija Bakšienė, shared her impressions.