For December 2016 we have selected: Gonzales-Bermejo J, Morélot-Panzini C, Tanguy M-L, et al.  Early diaphragm pacing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (RespiStimALS): a randomized controlled triple-blind trial. Lancet Neurol 2016:15;1217-1227. The main cause of death in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is related to respiratory failure. It has been hypothesized that diaphragm pacing (a technique that induces diaphragm contraction through the stimulation of the phrenic nerve) could slow the progression of respiratory muscle weakness, and increase alveolar ventilation and lung compliance in ALS patients.

It is a great pleasure to introduce the recipients of the Research Fellowship 2017 (in alphabetical order):

…and register to the EAN congress in Amsterdam 2017. It is not only that you can save more than 100€ if you register now, but you will be able to cover the big five neurological diseases, as well as rare… Continue Reading

The authors developed a sensor molecule to detect serotonin, injected it into rat striatum and scanned the rodents for 2 hours in a 9.4T magnet with 200 micron in-plane resolution to track the dynamics of reuptake of serotonin and the influence of drugs.

EAN pages strives to present one country every month to the readers of the EAN pages. We have seen presentations from Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, and Ireland so far and I would draw your attention to these wonderful articles in our newsblog. This month we have Latvia and in December it will be Moldovia. The country where the EAN congresses take place (so far Germany and Denmark) are even presented in a series of articles covering special aspects of the development of local neurology. The top neurologists from these countries take their time to present important aspects of their country like Denmark did before the Copenhagen congress in 2016. In a series of seven articles they have presented the state of the art and research in their country concerning basic MS research, pain, dementia, clinical MS research, cerebral blood flow research, clinical neurophysiology and headache. The care structures for patients and how research is helping to develop new treatments and new innovations are outlined and one can learn from their success. Whenever I read their presentations it reminds me to the rich history of neurology in Europe. All the different countries were able to show their particular contribution to the field and the achievements they have reached to provide better patient care.

Zika virus is an arbovirus, member of the family Flaviridae, genus Flavivirus, which has created an important public health emergency in the Americas after an epidemic outbreak associated with nervous system disorders.

Regional teaching course of the European Academy of Neurology 6-8.10.2016 Kutaisi, Republic of Georgia

After 14 years, the EAN Regional Teaching Course took place in Georgia again, but not in the capital of Tbilisi, but a 4-hour drive away, in the 2nd largest town, Kutaisi, which is an old University town and the administrative and cultural Capital of the western part of Georgia.

Latvia - officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika), is a beautiful country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic states. The name “Latvia” comes from the ancient Latgalians, one of four Indo-European Baltic tribes who formed the core of modern Latvians. With a coastline of 531km along the Baltic Sea, Latvia is bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus, and has 64,589 km2 of scenic plains and rivers, lakes and hills, including a majestic coastline.

David B. Vodušek (DV): As a senior experienced European neurologist, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European Neurologists? Claudia Sommer (CS): The EAN is the umbrella society for the community of European Neurologists, and I am more than glad that after many years, we have achieved to build one strong society.

For November 2016 we have selected: Cree BAC, Gourraud P-A, Oksenberg JR, et al. Long-term evolution of multiple sclerosis disability in the treatment era. Ann Neurol 2016:80;499-510. Studies describing the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) before the availability of disease-modifying treatments have reported a progression of the disease from the relapsing-remitting form to the secondary progressive form in about 50% of patients at 19 years after the onset.