National Societies of Neuropathology
The following societies are Euro-CNS member societies:
Austrian Society of Neuropathology
Baltic Society of Neuropathology *)
Belgian Society of Neuropathology
British Neuropathological Society
Bulgarian Society of Neuropathology *)
Czech Society of Neuropathology *)
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neuropathologie und Neuroanatomie
Dutch Society of Neuropathology
French Society of Neuropathology
Hellenic Society of Neuropathology
Hungarian Society of Neuropathology*)
Irish Neuropathological Association
Italian Association of Neuropathology
Polish Society of Neuropathology *)
Portuguese Society of Neuropathology
Romanian Society of Neuropathology *)
Scandinavian Society of Neuropathology
Slovenian Society of Neuropathology*)
Spanish Society of Neuropathology
Swiss Society of Neuropathology
Societies with a website are listed in the ' links' page.
Societies indicated with an *) are member societies since May 2004. A short description follows below. The other Societies have also been asked to provide a brief description and will be copied at the bottom of this page.
AFFILIATED SOCIETIES SINCE 2004
Euro-CNS has welcomed 7 new member neuropathology societies since May 2004
Below is a description of the seven newly affiliated societies.
Introduced at Euro-CNS business meeting in Prague (June 2004):
Baltic Association of Neuropathologists
Czech Society of Neuropathology
Polish Society of Neuropathology
Hungarian Society of Neuropathology
Introduced at Euro-CNS business meeting in London (January 2005):
Bulgarian Society of Neuropathology (full member society since 1 January 2007)
Slovenian Society of Neuropathology
Romanian Society of Neuropathology (full member societ since 1 january 2007)
DESCRIPTIONS
The Baltic Association of Neuropathologists (BAN):
On May 31st 2003, a founding meeting of Baltic Association of Neuropathologists took place in Riga, Latvija. At this meeting the Baltic Association of Neuropathologists was officially founded, eyewitnessed by leading neuropathologists of Germany, Norway and some from USA (Prof. Goebel, Prof. Walter, Prof. Skullerud, Prof. Mörk, Prof. Vinters).
The first elected president was Dr. Andres Kulla (Estonia) and the two vice-presidents were from Latvia (Dr. Daina Apshkalne) and Lithuania (Dr. Inga Gudinavichiene) and as Treasurer Dr Enn Jõeste (Estonia). The presidentship will rotate between the 3 Baltic states every 2nd year. The president fulfills the secretarial duties.
At the moment BAN has 12 official members.The BAN delegate for Euro-CNS is Dr. Andres Kulla and the deputy is Dr. Inga Gudinavičiene.
In May 2004 BAN held its very first spring workshop in Tartu, Estonia, organised by the president and supported by the Tartu University Clinics. The workshop dealt with the pathology of the muscle and peripheral nerve diseases and with the practical approaches to the CNS autopsy. There were 18 participants from all the 3 Baltic states, practising general pathologists, forensic pathologists and pathologists dealing mainly with neuropathological diagnostics. BAN also held its business meeting in Tartu on May 19th 2004, where 3 new members were admitted and the decision was made to have the first scientific meeting of BAN (dedicated to the CNS tumours and neuroinflammation) in the spring of 2005 in Tartu, Estonia.
On July 16th 2006, an official meeting of the Board of the Baltic Society of Neuropathologists took place in Riga. Members of BAN from Latvija and some from Lithuania also participated in the meeting. With this meeting and according to the Statutes of BAN, the presidentship of BAN was passed officially to Latvija (Dr. Daina Apshkalne). Vice-Presidents of BAN at the present time are: Dr. Inga Gudinavichiene (Lithuania) and Dr. Andres Kulla (Estonia).
The 2nd Workshop in Diagnostic Neuropathology of BAN will be organized in Riga in June 2007. Exact dates and program will be published in due time.
Neuropathology status in the Baltics:
Neuropathology is not recognized as a separate specialty in Baltic countries. NP is recognized in Estonia and Latvia by the Society of Pathologists as a subspecialty but not at a state level. There is no training program for NP at the moment in the Baltic States. Latvia used to have this since 1996 until 2000. There are 4 registered neuropathologists in Latvia now, two pathologists in Estonia who do NP diagnostic work, and five in Lithuania.
The Bulgarian Society of Neuropathology
The Bulgarian Society of Neuropathology (Bulg SN) was re-established on the 18th of September, 2004, by the following 10 founder-members (attending the constituent assembly):
Professor Dr. Sevdalin S. NACHEV
Docent Dr. Margarita KAМENOVA
Docent Dr. Nadejda DELEVA
Docent Dr. Zaprian ZAPRIANOV
Dr. Veronica KAPARASHEVA
Dr. Jordan JORDANOV
Dr. Ilian K.ILIEV
Dr. Alexander KAPURDOV
Dilyan FERDINANDOV
Dr. Ognian K. KALEV
The founders elected a three-member board of managers:
1. Chairman: Professor Sevdalin Nachev
2. Secretary: Dr. Ognian Kalev
3. Treasurer: Dr. Alexander Kapurdov
Eight of the founder-members are involved in the routine diagnostic neuropathology. The Euro-CNS delegate is Prof. S Nachev, the deputy is Prof. O. Kalev.
The BulgSN aims at bringing together the pathologists, clinicians, and basic scientists involved in routine neuropathology diagnostic or research.
Neuropathology status in Bulgaria:
Neuropathology is not recognized as a (sub)specialty in Bulgaria. Concerning this item we need to establish standards for neuropathology and the younger of us would like to become licensed neuropathologists. We would also need training opportunities at reference European neuropathological laboratories.
The Czech Society of Neuropathology
The Czech Society of Neuropathology was founded as a section of the Czech Pathologic Society in 2004 in Prague. The Czech Society has 10 members, who are active in NP.
The founders elected a three-member board of managers:
Dr. Josef Zamecnik, Ph.D.
Dr. Radoslav Matej
Dr. Jakub Sikora
A website of the Czech Society of Neuropathology is being created.
At its scientific meeting in Prague on 12 June 2004, the Czech Society hosted the Euro-CNS business meeting.
Neuropathology status in the Czech Republic:
Neuropathology is not recognized as a separate specialty in the Czech Republic.
The Hungarian Society of Neuropathology
The Hungarian Society of Neuropathology (HSN) has existed as an independent Society since 1996. The president is K. Majtényi, the general secretary is L. Havas and the secretary is G. Kovács. The board members are P. Molnár and F. Garzuly. The Hungarian Neuropathological Society has 110 members but only 20 are fully active in NP. A congress is organized every 4 years, the last one was held in May, 2004. The Society is a member of the ISN as well.
In September 2006, a Congress on Alzheimer disease was held with the participation of the HSN. The National Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases has existed officially since 2001 at the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology. It is led by the neuropathologists Dr. Kovács, Dr. Majtényi and Dr. Havas and by an epidemiologist group with Dr. Molnár.
Neuropathology status in Hungary:
In Hungary, neuropathology is formally recognized as a specialty. There is a common trunk in pathology training and they now have an exam for NP. The neuropathological work began with Karl Schaffer at the beginning of the 20th century when he founded the Brain Research Institute. His students continued the neuropathological work and now the 3rd and 4th generation is actively involved. There are 4 Medical Universities where neuropathology is taught. In 2006 the HSN is organizing 4 postgraduate conferences for neurologists and pathologists
The Polish Society of Neuropathology
The Polish Society of Neuropathology was founded in 1964. The general assembly is held every three years. The five board members also meet in between. There are 101 members, but only 21 physicians are actively involved with neuropathology. The journal of the Polish Society is ‘Folia Neuropathologica’ (in English).
Society officers from 2005 to 2008:
Prof Dr med. Janusz Szymas - President of the Polish Association of Neuropathologists;
Doc. Dr med. Teresa Wierzba-Bobrowicz - Vice-President:
Dr med. Ewa Bertrand - Treasurer:
Dr Agnieszka Kaliszek Secretary
Dr med. Ewa I ycka- wieszewska Member of the Board
Dr med. Wies awa Grajkowska Member of the Board
Doc Dr Ewa Matyja - Editor-in-chief of Folia Neuropathologica
Official WWW page of the Polish Association of Neuropathologists: snp.amu.edu.pl
Journal: “Folia Neuropathologica” is the official journal of the Polish Association of Neuropathologists and the Medical Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Neuropathology status in Poland:
NP is an official subspecialty of pathology, neurology or neurosurgery. After basic training, three years of NP training are added. There are separate training programs for those coming from neurology/pathology/neurosurgery. After passing the NP exam the trainee becomes specialist in NP. The Polish Society of Neuropathology is actively pursuing the possibilities for the single specialty status.
The Romanian Society of Neuropathology:
The Romanian Society of Neuropathology, founded in 2003, continues the activity of the Romanian Circle of Neuropathology belonging to the Romanian Academy and affiliated to INS from its foundation in 1967.
In the past, several national symposia with international participation were organized. Since 1983 neuropathological meetings are held twice a year.
The Romanian school of neuropathology was created by Gh.Marinescu in 1897 and the neuropathological activity was developed in university departments of neurology and neurosurgery. After the second world war, the laboratories of neuropathology of the Institute of Neurology and the Clinic of Neurosurgery in Bucharest, and the Academy Center in town of Targu Mures were the main scientific neuropathological centers.
The founder-members and staff of our society are:
- Dr.Arcadiu Petrescu - president
- Dr. Inimioara Mihaela Cojocaru - vicepresident
- Dr.Marilena Alexianu - secretary of the society and Euro-CNS delegate
- Biol.Emilia Manole - Euro-CNS deputy
- Dr.Jozsef Kelemen
- Biol.Andrei Dan
The Romanian Society of Neuropathology organizes two halfday symposia each year: one in May-June at the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital Colentina Bucharest, and the other in October-November at the Institute of Pathology "Victor Babes" Bucharest.
Neuropathology status in Romania:
Neuropathology is not recognized as a separate speciality in Romania, the 29 neuropathologists coming from neurology or general pathology specialities.
The Slovenian Society of Neuropathology
The Slovenian Society of Neuropathology (SSN) was established in November 2004 as a division of the Slovenian Society of Pathology and Forensic Medicine (SSPFM), which was established in the year 1973. SSPFM is a part of the Slovenian Medical Association.
The SSN has the same Constitution as the SSPFM. SSN has eleven members, so far. Only one member is a fully active neuropathologist covering central and peripheral nerve pathology (Dr. Mara Popović), two members occasionally perform brain biopsies (Dr. Rajko Kavalar and Dr. Nina Zidar), and one member performs only muscle biopsies regarding distrophies (Dr. Marija Meznarič Petruša). Seven out of eleven members are neurologists.
The board:
President: Mara Popović
Vice president: Mija Meznarič Petruša
Treasurer: Clara Limback Stokin
Activities:
Organization of monthly clinical-pathological conferences from October to June (8 to 9 conferences per year). From December 7-8, 2006, the Slovenian Society of Neuropathology held the 37th Professor Janez Plečnik Memorial Meeting at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ljubljana. The meeting was dedicated to 'Dementias'. Abstracts are published in the Euro-CNS Journal ' Clinical Neuropathology'.
Neuropathology status in Slovenia
Neuropathology is not recognized as a specialty in Slovenia. The last, fifth year of specialization of General pathology could be chosen by residents to study neuropathology as one of five possibilities beside cytology, forensic medicine, internal pathology (kidney and liver pathology), and surgical pathology since 2000.
INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER MEMBER SOCIETIES
(If you would like to see your Society's information here, please contact the Euro-CNS Office)
The Hellenic Society of Neuropathology (HSN)
Neuropathology is represented in Greece by the Hellenic Society of Neuromyopathy, in close scientific collaboration with the Division of Neuropathology of the Hellenic Society of Pathology, established in Athens in December 1995. Most members of the latter are also members of the Hellenic Society of Neuromyopathology which represents our country at an international level, i.e. the International Society of Neuropathology as well as the European Confederation of Neuropathological Societies (EURO-CNS).
The society officially represents the qualified neuropathologists in Greece, as well as the pathologists or neurologists with postgraduate training in Neuropathology or involved in diagnostic work in neuropathological material. It now includes 30 members with a tendency to increase in number (4 neuropathologists, 18 pathologists and 8 neurologists). This society is open to any Greek Neuroscientist who has interest in Neuropathology and wishes to collaborate and contribute to our efforts concerning the establishment of this field in Greece.
Furthermore, apart from the Hellenic Society of Pathology (Division of Neuropathology), the neuropathologists are also in close scientific contact with the Hellenic Society of Neurology, members of which -neurologists involved in the field of neuropathology- are also members of the Hellenic Society of Neuropathology.
In most University Medical Schools of Greece, Neuropathology is taught to the students as a separate course. For the time being, the diagnostic research and teaching neuropathological fields in Greece are covered by the few neuropathologists as well as by the specially trained pathologists and neurologists working in various, mainly pathology departments. Contact: Efstratios Patsouris: epatsour@med.uoa.gr
Neuropathology status in Greece:
Neuropathology is not officially recognized as a separate, independent specialty in Greece. In any event, the small number of specialized centers in Greece is a deterring factor for such recognition, at least for the moment. If however, in the future such directions will appear from the European Union, the HSN will propose the creation of an independent specialty of Neuropathology, in harmonization with other European countries
The Irish Neuropathological Association
The Irish neuropathologists hold a quarterly audit meeting to discuss difficult cases and to review practice and standards. It is anticipated the two Departments of Neuropathology [Cork & Dublin] will establish real time video linkages in the very near future which will facilitate easier collaboration and case discussion. The neuropathologists contribute to the education of medical students and postgraduate training in pathology and the neuroscience disciplines. They participate in medical scientist graduate programmes and are also involved in carrying out National CJD surveillance work.
The society has achieved the recognition of Neuropathology as a speciality by the Irish Medical Council and has developed a training programme approved by the Faculty of Pathology. Ireland’s first specialist trainee registrar in Neuropathology will complete her training in Ireland in late 2006. The trainee is based at Cork University Hospital and also rotates to Beaumont Hospital Dublin. Currently there are two trainee positions in neuropathology. The Joint Committee on Higher Medical Training in Ireland has approved the training programme.
Officers:
President: Dr. Michael Farrell
Treasurer: Dr Brett
The members are actively involved in the Irish Neurological association and in the Irish Neuromuscular association.
The Society organised two Neuromuscular meetings, in Dublin in May 2005, and in Killarney in January 2006, in collaboration with the Irish Institute for Clinical Neurosciences.
The Portuguese Neuropathological Society (PNS)
The PNS has about fourty associates, among them neuropathologists (most of them neurologists who had to pass two-year post-graduate neuropathology training), neurologists, general pathologists and neuropathology and general pathology technicians. Currently, there are 6 neuropathologists in the North ( 4 in Porto, 1 in Matosinhos and 1 in Braga ), 1 in the centre (Coimbra ) and 6 in Lisbon. However, most of them are not fulltime neuropathologists as they also work as clinical neurologists or general pathologists.
We try hard to have two annual meetings, one of which is a very informal one (just to present very unusual cases, and to discuss the problems of the neuropathology in Portugal and of Euro-CNS), and the other usually being in association with the Portuguese Neurological Society (third weekend of November).
Currently, the PNS leader is Prof. José Pimentel (Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon), the vice-president is Dr. Mrinalini Honavar (Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos), the general secretary is Dr. Cândida Barroso (Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon) and the treasurer is Dr. Sofia Oliveira (Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos, Lisbon). Contact address: josepimentel@fm.ul.pt
