Record Attendance Expected at World Congress 2001 in London

WORLD NEUROLOGY THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF NEUROLOGY

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1, OCTOBER 1999

RECORD ATTENDANCE EXPECTED AT WORLD CONGRESS 2001 IN LONDON

Attractive Main Themes Chosen • Stroke (chosen by Association of Brit- ish Neurologists as host Society) • Multiple sclerosis (chosen by Euro- pean Federation of Neurological Socie- ties as joint sponsors) • Epilepsy • Neuromuscular Diseases •Dementia The last three main themes were chosen by the Council of Delegates at the London meeting in June 1999. Movement Disor- ders, the fifth topic originally proposed, lost out to the democratic process and was replaced by Neuromuscular Diseas- es. Delegates also accepted the exclu- sion of Headache as a main theme be- London: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament cause it had featured at the last World Congress. London, the venue for the 2001 World Association of British Neurologists, as est growing modern-day specialities. For Congress, offers innumerable attrac- host society, has plans to make your visit the very first time, the European Federa- tions. One of the world's largest, most to London a memorable one. A record tion of Neurological Societies (EFNS) is historic cities, easily accessible from all number of delegates and accompanying joining as partners with the WFN to spon- parts of the globe, London provides a persons is expected to attend this first sor a World Congress. touch of royalty, ancient sites of interest World Congress of the new millennium, and most modern tourist attractions. The marking out neurology as one of the fast-

WFN STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NEXT ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

MILLENNIUM • WFN Strategic Planning • New Management for WN In June, over forty neurologists associat- members, and members of the Research • WFN Annual Report for 1998 ed with the WFN assembled at a hotel Committee. near St Albans on the outskirts of London • WFN Junior Travelling Fellow- Over two full days, there were discus- – Sopwell House – for the first WFN long- ships - Reports sions and break-out groups on topics range Strategic Planning Meeting. Partici- • WFN News such as proposals for organising future pants included members of the Manage- • Book Reviews World Congresses, public relations, edu- ment Committee, National Delegates, • Meetings Calendar cation, constitutional, legal and financial Standing Committee Chairmen and cont’d on p. 4 2 World Neurology

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dr. Jagjit S. Chopra, # 532 Sector 33-B, Chan- WORLD digarh-160 047, India Fax: +91-172-665532 E-mail: [email protected] NEUROLOGY EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Richard Godwin-Austen, World Federation The Newsletter of the World Federation of Neurology of Neurology, 12 Chandos Street, London W1M 9DE, UK VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1, OCTOBER 1999 Dr. Robert B. Daroff, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland, Department of Neurology Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, OH 44106-5015, USA Dr. Jun Kimura,Park City Uji Byodoin 1203, 169 Record Attendance Expected at World Congress 2001 in Uji Myoraku, Uji Shi, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan Dr. Theodore Munsat, Department of Neurol- London ...... 1 ogy, New England Medical Center, Box 314, 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA WFN Strategic Planning for Next Millennium...... 1 Dr. James F. Toole, Wake Forest University, Bap- tist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, World Neurology under New Management ...... 3 Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA WFN Annual Report For The Year Ended 31st December 1998 REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS Introduction ...... 6 (by virtue of Presidency of Regional Congress) President’s Report ...... 6 Dr. S.M. Al Deeb, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospi- tal, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, P.O. Report of the First Vice President and Chairman of the Constitution and Bye- Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia Laws Committee ...... 7 Dr. Amado M San Luis, Rm. 1006, St. Luke’s Report of the Secretary-Treasurer General ...... 8 Medical Center, E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon Report of the Chairman of the Research Committee ...... 8 City, Philippines Report of the Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee...... 9 Dr. Ndiaye, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Fann, Clinique Neurologique, BP 5035, Dakar, Journal of the Neurological Sciences - Report from the Editor-in-Chief: . . 10 Senegal Dr. Jes Olesen, Neurological Hospital Rosen- News...... 10 hügel, Riedelgasse 5, A-1130 Vienna, Austria Dr. Gustavo Pradilla, Carrera 29 # 32-65, Edifi- 1998 WFN Junior Travelling Fellowships - Reports...... 11 cio San Diego Of. 201, Apartado Aereo 678, Bucaramanga, Colombia WFN Junior Travelling Fellowships 1999 ...... 12 ASSISTANT EDITOR Meeting Reports ...... 12 Dr. I.M.S. Sawhney, Consultant Neurologist, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK Book Reviews ...... 13 WFN ADMINISTRATOR Keith Newton, World Federation of Neurology, Calendar...... 15 12 Chandos Street, London W1M 9DE, UK

PUBLISHING STAFF Publisher: Tatjana Fischer-Driessen Design, Lay-out and DTP: COPYRIGHT © 1999 World Federation of Neurology. All rights reserved. Published by Helmut Hummelbrunner Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Operational Support: Manuscripts accepted for publication become the copyright of the World Federation of Josie Gladden Neurology (WFN). Before publication a copyright form will be supplied by the Publisher, which must be completed by all authors. ADVERTISING Please send inquiries about advertising in World Neurology to the Advertising Department, Else- whenever possible. Tables and figures should Amsterdam, the Netherlands; phone +31 (20) vier Science Ltd., The Boulevard, Langford be separated from the text and should clearly 485 3358, fax +31 (20) 485 3237; e-mail Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK. Phone: indicate the author’s name. Colour photographs [email protected] +44-1865-843258; Fax: +44-1865-843976; and illustrations are encouraged. e-mail: [email protected] REPRINTS EDITORIAL STATEMENT Reprint requests and all correspondence re- Although great care is taken to ensure accuracy, garding the journal should be addressed to the Publishing Information the WFN and Elsevier Science BV cannot be Editor. However, back issues of World Neurology held liable for any errors or inaccuracies in this can be obtained from the publisher. MANUSCRIPTS publication. Opinions expressed are those of The Editor is happy to receive unsolicited man- the authors. Elsevier Science BV, the Editor, the CHANGE OF ADDRESS uscripts or photographs for consideration, but WFN or the Grantor cannot be held responsible Notice of change of address should be sent to: cannot accept responsibility for any loss or for the validity of clinical treatments, dosage World Neurology, Editorial Secretariat, 12 damage to such material. Manuscripts should regimens or other medical statements made. Chandos Street, London W1M 9DE, UK. be submitted in English, typed on white paper Any dosage referred to should be checked using double spacing with margins of at least 3 against the relevant data sheet for the product. Printed by Chandika Press Ltd., Key Dee Asso- cm. Authors should submit material on compu- World Neurology, ISSN 0899-9465, is published ciates, 126 Industrial Area Phase 1, Chandigarh ter disk (Microsoft® Word or plain ASCII format) by Elsevier Science BV, Molenwerf 1, 1014 AG 160002, India. EDITORIAL 3

EDITORIAL WORLD NEUROLOGY A Personal Note... UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT I am extremely grateful to the Publica- tions Committee of WFN for having chosen me as Editor-in-Chief. I also thank the Management Committee and Council of Delegates for their approval of the decision of the Publi- cations Committee. I shall try my best to discharge my duties and responsibilities as per expectations of the readers. I do have a request for all of you. Please send me your valuable suggestions for the improvement of World Neurology. I also request you to send me short write ups on the most burning topics of the day of not more than 1200 words. I promise to publish Dr. Jagjit S. Chopra, Editor-in-Chief Dr. James F. Toole, President WFN the same in World Neurology if found of World Neurology suitable. You have all supported the past Edi- tors of World Neurology who did a To celebrate the end of one and the be- the same time, they are producing, with splendid job. I request a similar co- ginning of a new millennium, the officers us, a website – Webmaster B. Todd operation from all of you since only of the World Federation of Neurology Troost – which will over time reach other jointly can we reach our common proudly present the inaugural issue of markets, augmenting and supplementing goal of service to mankind. the reformatted newsletter under the Edi- the printed medium. Lastly my wife Amar and myself wish torship of Jagjit S. Chopra. Not only will all the readers and their families a we redesign the newsletter but, based The World Federation of Neurology is happy, healthy and prosperous entry upon the recommendations of the read- now truly global. The print and electronic in to the new millennium. ership and external advisors, we will media give us a global communication change its content to make it a news network with which we will carry out our Jagjit Chopra medium for neurologists at all levels. In responsibilities for health care delivery order to implement this, we have ap- for the prevention of neurological disor- pointed regional editors to gather and ders and for the distribution of informa- distribute news of global interest. We tion regarding these, working in coopera- neuro journals because of the prohibitive serve a membership of over 22,000 from tion with other international organiza- cost of such journals for them. 84 countries, in which approximately 46 tions, particularly the World Health Lastly, we will increase the visibility of different languages are used. We have Organization. neurologists worldwide, so that in coun- chosen English as the means of interna- tries where there are few neurologists, tional communication but, in the future, Furthermore, for those countries which they will have a powerful support mecha- we will consider other languages, de- have active research programs, we will nism for developing a sense of commu- pending upon the interest of the reader- work to foster and accelerate research nity and a responsibility for increasing ship and the practicality of distributing in designed to improve health care and their numbers, in order to produce more one or more languages. prevention of disease through rapid communication networks designed to be effective health care for patients suffering Because of the enlightened negotiations global, so that those who perform re- with diseases of the nervous system. It is conducted by the WFN Publications search will be in continuing communcia- hoped that with the co-operation and co- Committee Chair, Dr. Robert Daroff, and tion with those who apply it. We shall ordination of national neuro societies / Dr. Tatjana Fischer-Driessen for Elsevier, also make efforts that World Neurology association WFN will achieve its goal of Dr. Chopra will print and distribute the also becomes an organ for dissemina- eradication of some neurodiseases and 1999 issue from India at great savings to tion of latest therapeutic advances, rec- containing the others by advocation of our organization, while ensuring the ommendations of various Research genetic counselling, gene therapy and same quality that it has had under its Groups, investigative methodologies and by taking preventive measures. previous editors and publishers. We are management of various neurological dis- delighted that Elsevier has contracted eases. It is aimed that our readers with the World Federation of Neurology should be able to get such information Jagjit S. Chopra James F. Toole to produce our newsletter and to solicit from World Neurology particularly for appropriate advertisements with which to those practicing in developing countries help defray the costs of publication. At who are deprived of subscribing for the

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 4 WFN STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NEXT MILLENNIUM

WFN STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NEXT MILLENNIUM continued from page 1 matters, World Neurology, and development of a WFN website. The aim – suc- cessfully achieved – was to produce a report outlining wide-ranging recommendations for the WFN’s future mission. Under three broad categories – Mission, Organi- sation/Constitution and Strategic Goals/ Directions – the group set out its proposals, laying particular emphasis on the primary purpose of improving people’s health by focusing on standards, education, and research. The report was presented to the Council of Delegates at their London meeting, and is reproduced below. Comments and suggestions are invited and may be sent to the London secretariat office.

Recommendations of the Ad-hoc Strategic First-class facilities at Sopwell House Hotel. Planning Group June 1999, Sopwell House Hotel, St. The proposed mission statement empha- advance notice, and the 5 regional Albans sises the primary purpose of improving Presidents; the health of people and it focuses on 2. The terms of office generally be four 1. MISSION standards, education, and research. years; 3. A Management Committee of officers That the mission of the WFN be changed 2. ORGANISATION/ exists for immediate decision-making; to read: CONSTITUTION 4. Countries continue to be members • To improve human health worldwide by (with some exceptions as approved by promoting prevention and the care of The Ad-hoc Strategic Planning Group rec- the Directors) with Delegates elected/ persons with disorders of the nervous ommends that: chosen by the National Neurological system by: 1. The WFN be governed by a Board of Societies; 1. Fostering the best standards of Directors to include a President, Vice- 5. Standing Committees of the Directors neurological practice; President, Secretary-Treasurer Gen- (e.g. Finance, Bye-Laws, Research, 2. Educating, in collaboration with eral, Research Committee Chair, and etc.) and operating committees (e.g., neuroscience and other interna- three Directors-at-large, all elected by Education, Public Relations, Publica- tional public and private organisa- the Council of Delegates from nomina- tions, etc.) be appointed by the Presi- tions; and tions proposed either by the Nominat- dent with the approval of the Directors. 3. Facilitating research through its ing Committee or by 5 members of the Research Groups and other means. Council of Delegates with sufficient 3. STRATEGIC GOALS/ DIRECTIONS 1. Research That research groups continue to play a central role in WFN activities, and: a. That the current separate Research Committee Statutes be abolished and Research be made a Standing Com- mittee of the WFN; b. That standards for recognition as a Research Group be established; c. That the activities of the Research Groups be more fully integrated into the WFN and its conferences; d. That the WFN support the implementation of Research Group programmes through loans where possible. 2. Education That the aim of WFN’s educational activities be to improve neurological health particularly among vulnerable populations, Participants at the Strategic Planning Meeting assemble for a group photograph. and that:

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998 5 a. Local experts, including community f. The Scientific Programme Committee • Reports from the Research Groups health workers, be utilised in the devel- should be a co-operative venture • A topic, disease or condition of the opment and conduct of educational between the WFN Research Commit- year, supplemented by quarterly programmes; tee and the local Programme Organis- discussions of that topic b. Educational programmes be focused ing Committee; • Useful guidelines regarding thera- on priority health problems that have g. Satellite meetings before, during and pies and research topics been identified; after the conference be listed in the • Web site information c. Wherever possible, educational pro- programme and an appropriate fee be • Correspondence; grammes should employ collaboration paid if so listed. c. It be financed through advertising and with other organisations, including the 5. Public Relations corporate acknowledgements in the WHO. publication and on the web site; That the WFN work to increase the visibili- d. The Editorial Board include the 3. Regional and sub-regional meet- ty and credibility of the WFN among: ings Regional Presidents or their nominees a. Neurologists, through its publications, and representation from the Board of That the WFN continue to sponsor meet- surveys, the web site, endorsement Directors; and dissemination of guidelines for ings of regional and sub-regional groups, e. Regional Presidents be requested to and that: prevention and treatment, and provide information to the publication improved contact and shared com- a. The official language of the meetings on a quarterly basis. be stated in advance; mon goals with national, regional and b A list of prospective speakers be given international neurological organisa- 8. WHO to the conference organiser by WFN tions; b. Other health professionals, through That the WFN increase its contact and in- and be made available prior to the fluence with WHO by: meeting; co-operation with other medical spe- a. Working with WHO to advance public c Speakers fully acknowledge any exter- cialty organisations and primary health aspects of neurology; nal support or conflict of interest; healthcare groups; b. Supplying materials and guidelines, d Attendance at some meetings for train- c. The general public through annual from a variety of sources, that can be ees be subsidised by the WFN; campaigns aimed at specific neuro- used by WHO and distributed world- e Emphasis be placed on the presenta- logical conditions, and improved con- wide; tion of standards of care of patients. tact with national and international public and private organisations; c. Working to increase the distinctiveness 4. World Congresses d. International organisations, by serving of neurology at WHO; as a data resource. d. Identifying and bringing into relation- It is recommended that: ship NGOs related to neurology that a. The decision on venue be made at Further, the Strategic Planning Group rec- are not now part of, or recognized by, ommends that fund-raising should, as a least six years in advance of the meet- WHO; ing; rule, be project-specific and include meet- e. Reviewing for possible endorsement b. The deadline for bids be at least seven ings, publications, education pro- or comment WHO guidelines related to years in advance of the meeting; grammes and information services. neurology. c. The WFN use a professional confer- 6. Web Site ence organiser every four years on a 9. Financial Resources renewable contract basis, and that this That the WFN web site be developed and be done in concert with the local neu- expanded as rapidly as possible and in- All of the above is dependent on adequate rological society and regional neuro- clude extensive links to other sources of financial resources. The WFN should es- logical organisation, and that a locally- neurological information. tablish a process that works to significant- chosen professional conference ly strengthen its financial position and that organiser be employed if desired. 7. World Neurology this goal be given a high priority. d. The local organising society be That World Neurology be more education- 4. UNRESOLVED ISSUES responsible for local conference al in emphasis and that: arrangements; a. It continue to be published at least 1. Should there be a WHO position repre- e. The WFN take profits commensurate quarterly; senting neurology funded by WFN? with its risk, e.g. 65% of the “profits” b. Its content include: 2 Should there be a new WFN umbrella and 65% of the risk; • WFN organisational information conference organising committee?

WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998

Registered charity no. 1051197 Solicitors: Hunters the assets and liabilities of the WFN on a date to be determined. Registered Office: 12 Chandos Street, The World Federation of Neurology be- came a charitable institution on 4th De- London W1M 9DE, U.K. Donations should be sent to the Secre- cember 1995. It was incorporated under tary-Treasurer General at the Registered Bankers: National Westminster Bank plc UK law, as a company limited by guarantee, on 30th January 1998, with a view to Office. Cheques should be made payable Auditors: MacIntyre Hudson the new, incorporated body taking over to ‘The World Federation of Neurology’.

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 6 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The year has been one of great change for zation more interactive and representative the WFN. What, in the past, has been a of the needs of our membership. The members of the Management Com- collegial group is soon to become a cor- mittee during the year were: poration with articles of incorporation as a We are strengthening WFN ties with the World Health Organization. I invite lay and President: Dr James F. Toole charity. Because the World Federation of Neurology is an organization of national medical groups which have devoted themselves to neurological diseases to First Vice-President: Dr Jun Kimura societies and corporate members, one of become corporate members of WFN if Chairman of Research Committee: Dr its major functions is to stimulate and co- they have not yet done so. By so doing, Theodore L. Munsat ordinate education and research on an international basis into nervous system dis- the WFN would have increased influence Secretary-Treasurer General: Dr Frank Clif- eases utilizing its structure of Research within the World Health Organization. ford Rose Groups and educational committees. I have great hope for developing several Dr Clifford Rose retired on 31st December Understanding the function and malfunc- active WFN programs limited only by our 1998 and was succeeded as Secretary- tion of the human brain and neuromuscu- budget and work force. Dr. Munsat is co- Treasurer General by Dr Richard Godwin- lar system is the frontier of biology. Knowl- ordinating a strategic and long range Austen. edge of how they function is increasing planning conference for June 1999. OBJECTS OF THE and the ability to prevent and treat their In order to implement the aforementioned FEDERATION diseases globally is a major task the WFN programs, a full time administrator, Mr. has undertaken in its relationship with the Keith Newton, was employed to provide The principal activity of the Federation in World Health Organization and interna- organizational skills and administrative 1998, as in previous years, was the devel- tional voluntary organizations. However, strength to the Secretariat under the able opment of the basic and clinical neuro- there remains a tremendous gap between supervision of Richard Godwin-Austen. sciences by: what neurologists know about CNS health • disseminating information and scien- and disease and how this knowledge is James F. Toole, M.D. tific knowledge in the neurosciences; applied to human illness. In order to aug- President • stimulating, encouraging and development its ability to impact this global prob- ing programmes of clinical and basic lem, the WFN has established a perma- neurological research throughout the nent Secretariat, supervised by Richard President’s Report world; and Godwin-Austen. It is revising its Constitu- • providing a means for a closer profes- tion and By-Laws in an effort ably chaired During this year of transition, I represented sional and personal appreciation of by First Vice-President Jun Kimura. The the association at the WHO meeting held neurologists and neurological scien- Research and Education Committee in Geneva; lectured at the Brazilian Acad- tists throughout the world. Chair, Theodore Munsat, reports progress emy of Neurology in San Paulo; the Mexi- in these fields. Secretary-Treasurer Rich- can Academy of Neurology in Cancun; Introduction ard Godwin-Austen regarding finance, the Critchley Memorial in the United King- and Editor Robert Lisak regarding the dom; the Congress on Cerebral Ischemia, Henceforth, our Management Committee Journal of the Neurological Sciences. Vascular Dementia, Epilepsy and CNS In- will submit an annual report to the mem- Their reports are included in this summary jury in Washington, DC; and the European bership, through the Council of Dele- of WFN activities for 1998. Federation of Neurological Societies in gates, which is the WFN governing body Sevilla and presided at the Management I have established Ad Hoc Committees to with one councillor representing each Committee meetings which have now address areas which are of particular rele- member organization. The WFN draws its been conducted on a monthly basis by vance to the future of neurology in general strength from these 84 national societies teleconference. From this collective activ- and the WFN in particular. These Commit- and corporate members who not only rep- ity, I have initiated some innovations which tees are: resent the interests of their organization are worthy of note. but direct the WFN toward achievement of • Continuing Education 1. Monthly teleconferences by the Man- common international goals. Their deci- • Public Relations agement Committee. sions made at biennial Councils ensure • Standards for Neurologic Care and 2. Laying the structure for interaction with that the global strength of the WFN is Te c h n o l o g y greater than the sum of its parts. the Council of Delegates via e-mail • Protocol and Parliamentary Procedure which will be implemented in 1999. From these Delegates, the responsibility • Disability in World Leaders 3. Consideration of how best World Neu- for continuing operation is delegated to In future reports, I will delineate their rology can serve the membership. the Management Committee which is charges, timetables, and progress toward 4. Implementing a strategic planning elected every four years. Your representa- completion of their tasks. conference in June 1999. tives are: President, James Toole; First Vice-President, Jun Kimura; and Chair of In order to make these large and diverse The role of Secretary-Treasurer is pivotal the Research Committee, Theodore Mun- committees workable, we must use e-mail to the organization. This person shep- sat. Richard Godwin-Austen has been ap- both for efficiency and cost. Without it, we herds the finances of the organization and pointed to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. cannot implement many programs. Con- is the custodian implementing the policies He, and the committees which I have sequently, I urge all who can to acquire of the Management Committee with the nominated, will be voted upon by the this technology which has become so es- judicious disbursement of our hard won Councillors in June 1999. These four, and sential in our new age of global communi- funds. These capital reserves are deposit- Robert Lisak, Editor for the Journal of the cation. Your management welcomes ed at attractive interest for operations and Neurological Sciences, submit this report communications from any member of the implementation of programs. However, in for 1998 to the membership. WFN regarding how to make our organi- order to have a stable financial base, con-

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998 7 sideration of other methods for augmen- ther radical modifications to ensure that all Despite our registration as a charity and a tation of funds will be necessary. our practices are fully compatible with our company, the new corporate WFN has not Articles of Association now that the WFN yet got off the ground. The old (existing) Planning for WCN 2001 is well underway will be incorporated under UK law as a WFN, governed by its Constitution, will be with a scientific committee from the United company limited by guarantee. Gathering dissolved in due course. Until then, we re- Kingdom. Planning meetings are held at the information for the first step has main as an unincorporated charity, and frequent intervals and with input from the proved to be easier said than done, pri- we are continuing to operate as the old Association of British Neurologists, the marily because we had to locate specific WFN. Some of the changes already made WCN 2001 Planning Committee, and the wording of the modifications that have in the Constitution and Bye-Laws antici- Management Committee. The European been scattered in different documents pate the Federation’s future status as a Federation of Neurological Societies has over the span of 10 years. Recent person- corporate charity. Further extensive revi- generously contributed £30,000 for under- nel changes within the organization and sions are necessary once the new status writing the Congress in return for a share the relocation of the Secretariat have also is officially established by a formal closure of profits or loss. This is a major step for- made it difficult to pinpoint the exact of the Federation’s status as an unincor- ward and could be amplified by contribu- source of information. With help from the porated charity and a formal transfer of tions from other major societies which members of the Executive Committee and assets to our new incorporated charity. would like to participate. The opportunity Keith Newton at the London Office, how- This formal transfer of our status will be for investment for mutual advantage ever, we managed to collect all the papers done at the Council of Delegates meeting should be encouraged. pertinent for revision. in London in June 1999. Anticipating all these changes, we have already begun I congratulate both the World Health Or- We have since completed the first stage of our work on the second stage of revision ganization and the American Academy of its review of the current status of the WFN, in accordance with the specific charges Neurology for successful passages producing the updated documents. The from the President. We will propose fur- through their 50th anniversaries. The suc- first draft was circulated among the mem- ther modifications to reflect present cess of the European Federation of Neu- bers of the Committee on August 3rd, changes in policy and procedures and rological Societies, founded in 1992, is to 1998, followed by the second and the formulate our recommendations during be emulated by other regional groups. third drafts on September 15th and De- the Committee meeting in June 1999. Such consolidation will produce added cember 7th after appropriate amend- Needless-to-say, all changes will require strength and rapidity of communication ments based on various suggestions re- the formal approval of the Council of Del- for mutual advantage. ceived. With approval of the Executive egates. More importantly, we shall need to Committee, the final version was forward- James F. Toole, M.D. ensure that all our practices are fully com- ed to the Secretariat for printing. The doc- President patible with our Articles of Association ument was then distributed among the once the WFN is incorporated under UK Delegates of the WFN on January 6th, law as a company limited by guarantee. 1999 as the current policy in practice. As Report of the First Vice stated earlier, incorporated in this draft Although most of my time was spent on President and Chair- were all the revisions already approved by the revision of the Constitution and Bye- man of the Constitution the Council of Delegates after 1990, when Laws, I have also attended several confer- and Bye-Laws the last version was printed. Thus, this first ences on behalf of the WFN during this in- Committee stage of “revision” was simply a “catch- terim. These include Management Com- up” process to make the document con- mittee Meetings in Minnesota on April I am happy to make the first annual report sistent with the current rules under which 28th, and in London on September 28th, of the First Vice President of the WFN, a we operate. We have incorporated no new IX International Congress on Neuromus- position created anew at the last election. changes except for the clauses necessary cular Disorders in Adelaide on August During the previous fiscal periods, the for the provisions with the Charity Com- 30th to September 4th, and the first Cor- Chairman of the Research Committee mission. The references included: 1991, porate Advisory Board Meeting in Seville held the office of the First Vice Presidency, 1993, 1995, and 1997 Council of Dele- on September 23rd. In addition, I partici- serving dual functions, perhaps with ex- gates minutes, and Memorandum of As- pated in a monthly teleconference of the cessive burden of responsibilities and sociation and Articles of Association un- Management Committee. I was also commitment of time. When I took the of- der the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989 of scheduled to attend the Central American fice in January 1998, I was given the usual the United Kingdom. Congress of Neurology in Honduras on assignment to assist the President, representing him whenever he so wishes. In addition, I was asked to chair the Constitu- tion and Bye-Laws Committee with the TOBACCO SMOKING AND STROKE – specific aims to update them so that they WFN CONCERN become compatible with the current policies and practices. World Federation of Neurology President, James Toole has written to Dr Gro The Committee has decided to tackle this Harlem Brundtland, Director General of the World Health Organization, to support revision in two tiers. The first stage con- WHO’s Tobacco-Free Initiative and the actions the agency is taking to combat sisted of adding all the changes already smoking and smoking-related diseases. On behalf of the 84 member countries rep- approved by the Council of Delegates af- resenting 22,000 neurologists globally, Dr Toole conveyed WFN’s recognition of ter the World Congress of Neurology held smoking as an important factor in morbidity and mortality for stroke, the common- in India in 1989, when the last version of est cause of neurological disability in the elderly, and emphasised the wish of clini- the Constitutions and Bye-Laws was print- cal neurologists and their colleagues to work with WHO to improve neurological ed. The second stage will be to make fur- health throughout the world.

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 8 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998

November 4th–6th as an official repre- tion flourish and its finances established for the betterment of neurology world- sentative of the WFN. Unfortunately, the on a healthy footing. It is now incumbent wide. Congress had to be cancelled as a result on us all to build on his and Lord Walton’s of Hurricane ‘Mitch’. I was shocked by the work so that the Federation under its new disaster and saddened that Dr. Medina office-holders may fulfil its objectives in and his colleagues were forced to post- the next millennium without jeopardising pone the meeting after spending so much the resources that have been so carefully time and effort in preparation for what was nurtured. destined to be a most successful meeting. I hope the best for their quick recovery It is fitting that the first World Congress of from the damage and a future opportunity that millennium will be held in London to reorganize the Congress in due course. where the permanent secretariat has now I join the President of the WFN in his ap- been established in line with the recom- peal for fund raising in support of our col- mendations of the Charities Aid Founda- leagues in Honduras. tion as approved by the Council of Dele- Richard Godwin-Austen gates. This will undoubtedly make for eas- Secretary-Treasurer General In terms of budgetary matters, I have hired ier and closer co-operation between the a private secretary in Japan, who spends WFN’s new administration and the Asso- about two hours a week or about 100 ciation of British Neurologists as WCN hours per year for WFN matters. Based on Report of the Chairman host society in the run-up to 2001. We hourly payment of 1500 yen as salary of the Research hope too that the Chandos Street office (which is substantially below the average Committee will be regarded as a truly international fo- in Japan for those who can handle the cal point for all WFN neurologists, wherev- During 1998 the following Research English language) and incidental costs for er they may be located in the world, and Groups operated under the auspices of faxes and mail, I estimate a yearly ex- the WFN. Brief reports are included for pense of 1000 pounds for our office. Ac- that they will seek any assistance or advice they may need through the staff those Groups that are currently most ac- cordingly, I requested this amount to be tive and updated contact information list- based there. Further developments that included in the next year’s budget. As a ed, where known: new member of the WFN Management have also won the Council’s formal ap- Committee, it has been a busy but re- proval, such as incorporation as an UK Aphasia and Cognitive Disorders RG warding year for me. After initial entry cri- limited company, have begun to be imple- Secretary/Contact: Dr J R Hodges mented and will be completed by the end sis, I feel more confident and comfortable Sixty-two members. Meets every two years. with the job at hand. I look forward to com- of 1999. Last meeting held in Prague, July 1998. Infor- pleting our immediate task of revision of mational discussion group. Presently consult- We therefore enter the last year of the old the Constitution and Bye-Laws, working ing the membership about two possible century with assets of almost £1m. The closely with the members of the Commit- programs: (1) impact of illiteracy on cognitive tee, and to contributing in any other effort bulk of those funds have been invested by assessment (2) development of universal instruments for assessing language and cogni- to advance the cause of the new corpo- my predecessor at a favourable fixed rate tion. rate WFN. of interest and will generate an annual sum that will go far towards meeting the Ataxia RG running costs of our new administrative Secretary/Contact: Dr S H Subramony structure. Our regular sources of income have three main strands: investments, Two hundred members. Planning home page on web. Conducting an international survey on membership dues and royalties. Together genetic laboratories and guidelines for DNA they bring in approximately £150,000 per testing. Subcommittees on classification, annum. In addition, we look to our flagship genetic testing and neuropharmacology. event, the World Congress, to generate a healthy surplus. The Buenos Aires meet- Autonomic Disorders RG Chair/President/Contact: Dr H C ing did exactly that and our Argentinean Kaufmann colleagues are to be congratulated on staging a truly memorable Congress, Jun Kimura, M.D. Cerebral Palsy Prevention RG thereby contributing during the course of Secretary/Contact: Dr M C O Bax First Vice President and Chair, Constitu- the year a further £82,000 towards central tion and Bye-Laws Committee WFN funds to add to the £95,000 generat- Cerebrospinal Fluid RG Secretary/Contact: Prof C Sindic ed in 1997. Such an injection of revenue every four years or so is very welcome in- One hundred and twenty-five members. Report of the Secretary- deed, but we must of course exercise Recently completed a CSF workshop under the Treasurer General proper financial stewardship in between aegis of ECTRIMS. Internet discussion group being developed. Will be preparing a report times and budget to live within our means. The close of 1998 marked the end of an about CSF analysis in clinical practice. Very successful workshop in Buenos Aires. era for the WFN as Dr Frank Clifford Rose I am honoured to be serving as Secretary- stepped down from the position of Secre- Treasurer General and I look forward to Cerebrovascular Disease RG tary-Treasurer General after 8 eventful and the challenge of helping steer the WFN in Chair/President:Dr F Gotoh productive years, which saw our organisa- a positive direction over the next few years Contact: Prof G Lenzi

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998 9

include: organization of a formal program ses- successful international congress in Adelaide, EDUCATIONAL sion at the EFNS meeting in Seville in 1998; Australia in August 1998. attempts to co-ordinate, if not fuse, the Euro- Neuro-Oncology RG PROGRAMME IN pean Club for the History of Neurology, this RG and the International Society for the History of Secretary/Contact: Prof O Wiestler NEUROUROLOGY Neurosciences; organization of a History of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Neuro- European Neurology program for the 4th EFNS Otology RG Congress to be held in Lisbon this year; and a WFN has received an educational Chair/President/Contact: Prof J J solicitation for new officers. grant from Pfizer, Inc. to develop an Corbett educational programme in the field of Intensive Care Neurology RG Secretary/Contact: Dr J A Sharpe neuro-urology aimed not only at clini- Chair/President/Contact: Prof D F Sixty members. Enlarging membership. cal neurologists but also psychia- Hanley trists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, Secretary: Prof D W Krieger Neuropathology RG physical therapists and nurses. Chair/Contact: Dr S Patt Based on the American Academy of Medical Education RG Secretary/Contact: Prof A L Taratuto Neurology’s Continuum course, the Chair/President/Secretary/Contact: Dr M Menken Eighteen members. The next meeting will be in focus of the curriculum will be on the May. neuroanatomy and neurophysiology Has been incorporated into WFN Education of bladder function and dysfunction; Committee. Neuroradiology RG Chair/President/Secretary/Treasurer/ the impairment of sexual function as a Migraine and Headache RG consequence of spinal cord injury, Contact: Dr G Salamon Chair/President/Contact: Dr J K multiple sclerosis, stroke, muscular Campbell Fifty members. Defined new neuroimaging dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease, and tools. Produced special courses at Buenos dementia; the surgical and pharma- Fifty members. Major meetings this year in Lon- Aires meeting. Coordinating work with neu- cological management of neurologi- don (XII Migraine Trust International Sympo- ropathologists. sium) and Washington (Consensus meeting on cal bladder and erectile dysfunction. diagnosis and treatment). Taking part in a pro- Neuro-Rehabilitation and Restorative Dr Clare Fowler is chairing the faculty gram to develop evidence-based treatment Neurology RG for the programme and course mate- guidelines. Chair/President: Dr J Borg rials will be distributed to 100 interna- Secretary/Contact: Dr Carolyn A Young tional study groups convened by the Motor Neuron Diseases RG WFN, each comprised of 20 neurolo- Chair/President/Contact: Prof M Swash Neurosonology RG gists, in countries with large concen- Two hundred members. Recently completed Chair/President: Dr G M Von Reutern trations of individuals working in the update of international criteria for diagnosis and Secretary/Contact: Dr K Niederkorn speciality. therapeutic trials for ALS. Has an active website Two hundred and sixty-nine members. Affiliated (www.wfnals.org) . Will develop a new journal. with “Journal of Neuroimaging”. Regular news- Multiple Sclerosis RG letter. Has website (www.sime.com/nsrg). Next meeting in Taiwan in November, 1999. Chair/President/Contact: Prof I W Clinical Neuropharmacology RG McDonald Neurotoxicology RG Chair/President/Contact: Dr A Korczyn Chair/Contact: Prof R Feldman Co-ordinates with other international MS A new RG which will have its first meeting next groups. spring in Croatia. Organisation and Delivery RG Neuroepidemiology RG Chair/President/Contact: Prof B Barac Dementia RG Chair/President/Contact: Dr M Alter Secretary: Dr D C Bergen Chair/President: Dr P Antuono Secretary: Dr K Kondo Secretary/Contact: Dr F Boller In process of reorganizing. Eleven active members. Meets annually in con- An active RG. Developing a website. Executive Pain RG junction with the annual AAN meeting. Spon- Committee meets regularly. Several confer- Chair/President/Contact: Dr J Boivie sors the journal “Neuroepidemiology”. Last ences have been held during the past year. Secretary: Dr R M Lawrence scientific program was at the University of Min- Extrapyramidal Disease RG nesota. The next will be in Toronto in April, Space/Underwater Neurology RG (renamed Parkinsonism and Related 1999. Collaborates with other related societies. Secretary/Contact: Prof F Gerstenbrand Disorders) Neurogenetics RG Major meeting in Washington, May 1998. Secretary/Contact: Dr M D Yahr Secretary/Contact: Dr Eva Andermann Tropical Neurology (Europe) RG Main emphasis is on Parkinson’s Disease. Pub- Neuroimaging RG Chair/President: Dr S M Al Deeb lishes a journal “Parkinsonism and Related Dis- Secretary/Contact: Dr R A Shakir orders” (Donald Calne, Ed.). This Research Chair/President/Contact: Dr J C Masdeu Group has an active conference schedule Secretary:Prof F Gerstenbrand Three major subdivisions of this active RG. including the 13th International Symposium on Sixty-eight members. Enlarging participation. Held a recent program in Martinique. Parkinson’s Disease in July, 1999. Hold fre- Reorganizing activities under new leadership. quent critique sessions on new developments. WFN Initiative Against Brain Has a new website at www.elsevier.com/locate/ Neuroimmunology and Virology RG Diseases wfn-rged/. Secretary/Contact: Prof R T Johnson Understanding the function and malfunc- History of Neurosciences RG Neuromuscular Disease RG tion of the human brain remains the last Secretary: Dr C Gardner-Thorpe Chair/President/Contact: Prof P K frontier of biology. Quite apart from being Treasurer/Contact: Dr F Clifford Rose Thomas extremely distressing for those affected This RG has maintained an active program Secretary: Dr L P Rowland and their families, brain disorders are also detailed in its regular Newsletter. Activities One hundred and fifty members. Organized a responsible for significant socio-econom-

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 10 WFN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1998 ic disruption and loss. Despite the dra- zilian Association of Neurologists has the University of Glasgow were appointed matic increase in our knowledge of brain proved to be very effective. Preliminary to the Board. Susan Hutton was appoint- functions and disorders over the past few discussions for similar programs are in ed as the Editorial Assistant. It was decid- decades, there remains a significant gap progress with the Neurologic Societies of ed not to have Regional Managing Edi- between what we know and its application Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, tors. to human illness. Canada, Chile, Finland, India, Mexico, Pa- kistan, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Swe- There were 550 manuscripts submitted in The World Federation of Neurology den, Tunisia and Turkey. 1998. Of these, 177 have been accepted (WFN), with its wide international network and 180 rejected for an acceptance rate of experts is uniquely placed to launch an Despite the havoc and devastation on completed manuscripts of 49.5%. Of “INITIATIVE AGAINST BRAIN DISEASES”. wreaked in Honduras by Hurricane the remaining 193 manuscripts, 30% are Planning has begun, along the following ‘Mitch’, our colleagues there have suc- being revised by the authors and the re- lines, with a view to a start being made to cessfully established a Residency Training coincide with the beginning of the new mainder are being reviewed. The top Program under the aegis of the WFN, at ranked countries by submission are Ja- Millennium: the Hospital Escuela. A start was made in pan (35%), United States (15%), Italy 1. The goals of the initiative will be January with the appointment of five resi- (7.8%), Germany (6.7%), and the United 1.1. to apply existing knowledge of dents, and the Council of the National Au- Kingdom (4.5%). The other countries with brain function, malfunction and tonomous University of Honduras gave its double-digit submissions are India treatment to current specified dis- approval to the program on October 29th. (3.5%), Spain (2.5%), Sweden (2.2%), orders of the brain. A visit to check on progress will be made Australia (2%), and Israel (2%). Clinical re- 1.2. to stimulate new research in the by the Continuing Education Committee, search articles still predominate the sub- basic and applied neurosciences probably in January or February 2000. missions with lesser numbers of basic sci- 1.3. to raise the public’s awareness of ence research articles and short reports. the importance of brain disorders. The WFN, through its Education Commit- tee, has recently contracted to produce an Letters to the Editor that comment on ma- 2. The initiative will be an international interactive continuing education course terial previously published in the Journal effort utilizing the existing WFN on Neurourology. now appear together with the response Research Group structure to define the from the authors. We are soliciting review program specifics. The WFN Manage- articles and will be increasing the number ment Committee will set the priorities of the initiative, with an emphasis on of editorials on appropriate articles or programs of an international nature in groups of articles. We are expediting the developing areas. appearance of book reviews so that they are more timely and thus increase the val- ue of these reviews to the readers.

Report of the Chairman Format changes were made including In- of the Continuing dex changes and changes in Instructions Education Committee to Authors, particularly regarding reference style. These updated Instructions Several applications were received during Theodore L Munsat appear in the Journal as well as on the In- the course of the year from organisers of Chair, Research Committee and Continu- ternet page at http://www.elsevier.nl/lo- international meetings who wished to ing Education Committee cate/jns. have formal WFN endorsement. • 3rd International Congress of Tropical To help expedite the processing of manu- Neurology scripts we are trying to encourage the use • 5th Congress of the European Society Journal of the of fax and e-mails, where compatible, for for Clinical Neuropharmacology Neurological Sciences the review process but do not accept • 10th Pan-American Congress of Neu- manuscript submissions via electronic rology Report from the Editor-in-Chief mail or fax. Most members of the Editorial Board and Ad Hoc Reviewers have com- This entitles them to include the following The new Editor, Robert P. Lisak, MD, of plied. We are also using a software pro- statement in their congress literature and Wayne State University / Detroit Medical gram to track and follow-up on manu- publicity: Center in Detroit began his term on Janu- scripts and reviews of manuscripts. We ary 1st, 1998. Two new Deputy Editors, This programme is endorsed by the World Paula Dore-Duffy, PhD and Richard A. have also obtained 95% of final submis- Federation of Neurology. Federation mem- Lewis, MD, both from Wayne State Univer- sions with discs which shortens the pro- bers and all interested neurologists are en- sity, were appointed. Dr. Arnulf Koeppen, duction cycle by 4 weeks. Ad Hoc Review- couraged to attend. a member of the Editorial Board (Associ- ers were acknowledged in the October is- The WFN has recently begun a new edu- ate Editors) was asked to serve as Editor sue and sent a copy of the acknowledged cational program in conjunction with sev- for Reviews and Book Reviews and Dr. pages. A new cover for the journal was im- eral national neurologic societies. This Michael Swash continued as Supplement plemented in the April issue. Sixteen is- program, the “World Federation of Neurol- Editor. Drs. P. Donofrio, R. Williams, and sues (186 pages), one Special Issue (Jan- ogy Continuum Study Group”, utilizes the R.T. Johnson rotated off the Board. James uary; 177 pages) and one supplement on American Academy of Neurology’s suc- Garbern, MD, PhD, a neurogeneticist at motor neuron disease held in Glasgow in cessful continuing education courses. A Wayne State University and Peter G.E. October 1997 (148 pages) were pub- pilot program in conjunction with the Bra- Kennedy, MD, PhD, a neurovirologist at lished in 1998. Elsevier produced a new

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 News 11 marketing mailer to stimulate subscrip- an initiative by Dr Frank Clifford Rose 9 national society taking responsibility for tions and manuscript submissions. years ago. On that occasion, more than accommodation, social events, transport, 500 WFN members around the world facilities for accompanying persons and joined the RSM. similar ‘local’ details. The Council consid- ered the possible costs involved and the This time, there is a difference. For each impact of such changes on the incentive WFN member who takes up the invitation, for national societies to host a Congress. the RSM has agreed to make a payment It was agreed that there would be no to the WFN equivalent to a proportion of change in the arrangements for the 2005 the entrance fee that they normally World Congress. The following cities ex- charge, so that the more WFN members pressed their interest in hosting the Con- who become RSM Fellows, the more the gress: Sydney, Australia; Bangkok, Thai- WFN will benefit financially. land; Tunis and Carthage, Tunisia; and In addition to the prestige of election to a Cairo, Egypt. Robert Lisak, M.D. Royal Society, there are other benefits for A new Conventions Committee, under the Editor, Journal of the Neurological WFN members: first class club and hotel Chairmanship of Professor Chris Ken- Sciences facilities – particularly relevant with Lon- don as the venue for the next World Con- nard, will provide advice to the Manage- gress – a monthly Journal, access to other ment Committee. RSM publications and one of the finest New members NEWS medical libraries in Europe. To find out more about the RSM, go to Delegates welcomed applications for WFN Representation at their website at http://www.roysocmed. membership from Cyprus and Qatar, ac.uk. bringing the number of WFN member WHO Regional Meetings countries to 84. Plans are being made for the WFN to be News from the Council WFN Website represented at as many World Health Or- of Delegates Meeting – ganization regional meetings as possible, London, June 1999 A website for the WFN is being created at no cost, by inviting locally-based WFN with Dr Todd Troost, a colleague of Presi- members to attend in that capacity. They Finances dent James Toole in Winston-Salem, will be provided with a standard briefing Delegates were notified that, in addition to North Carolina, as the webmaster. The ad- document emphasising the importance central WFN accounts, any funds held by dress is http://www.worldfederationofneu- WFN attaches to raising the profile of neu- Research Groups or other branches of the rology.org. rology within the WHO structure and its WFN will in future need to be audited an- committees. By repeating the message at nually to comply with English company Neurology International every opportunity, that neurology needs to law. Partnership Programme be treated differently by the agency, we hope changes will eventually be intro- Communication The Neurology International Partnership duced. Programme, created six years ago by Dr Efforts will be made to communicate more Donald Silberberg and Dr Pauline Munro widely and more regularly with Delegates to address the lack of educational materi- Fellowship of the Royal through e-mail and fax. Society of Medicine als globally, has been integrated formally World Congresses into the WFN structure as a sub-commit- If you have not already received it by the tee of the Continuing Education Commit- time this issue of World Neurology ap- The Council discussed a proposed tee. The Programme links 200 neurology pears, you will shortly be receiving an invi- change in the way future World Congress- departments in developed countries with tation to become a Fellow of The Royal es might be organised, involving the Lon- partners in less advantaged parts of the Society of Medicine, an historic medical don Secretariat working with the same world. society based in London but with an inter- core professional congress organiser national membership. This is a repeat of (PCO) on every Congress and the host

1998 WFN JUNIOR TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIPS - REPORTS

Thanks to WFN which enabled me to at- chance to meet and learn from the experi- The 3rd Congress of the European Feder- tend the 5th International Congress of ence of neurologists with an interest in ation of Neurological Societies held in a Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Dis- movement disorders and I would like to beautiful Spanish city, Seville, on 19–25 orders held in New York City from 10–14 express my sincere gratitude to the WFN September 1998, was the largest Europe- October 1998. Most aspects of Parkin- for making this experience possible. an Neurology Conference with around son’s disease and other movement disor- Dr Mohammad Athar Javed 3500 delegates. Quite a lot of various sci- ders were discussed in great detail espe- Consultant Neurologist entific programmes, educational and cially advancements made in aetiological, King Abdul Aziz Hospital and Oncology teaching courses were offered and all the pathological, genetic and therapeutic as- Centre participants were able to get new knowl- pects. The Congress afforded me the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia edge and ideas in many aspects of neuro-

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 12 WFN JUNIOR TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIPS 1999 logical sciences: stroke, headache, epi- learn something new and exchange my opathy. The most impressive feature of lepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis and experiences with other colleagues. I was the Congress was the successful meeting others. very satisfied after attending teaching of basic scientists and clinicians, ex- courses and all scientific sessions. Anoth- I am very thankful to the WFN awarded me changing information and considering re- er advantage of my stay was the possibil- the Junior Travelling Fellowship. I am very cent breakthroughs in basic sciences and ity to participate in the Founding Meeting grateful to Dr Clifford Rose and Glaxo their possible clinical application. for the EFNS Committee for Trainees and Wellcome Junior Travelling Fellowship for Junior Neurologists where I could be cho- their kind grant to me to participate in 3rd Dr Ivan Mikula sen with six other colleagues to the Stand- EFNS Congress. Zagreb, Croatia ing Committee which would co-ordinate Dr Tatjana Timofejeva further activities of this organisation. I am Latvia very grateful for this generous support The World Federation of Neurology afford- and I am sure it will benefit my neurological career. ed me the opportunity to attend the Vth In- I am very grateful to the World Federation ternational Congress of Movement Disor- Konrad Rejdak, MD of Neurology and Glaxo Wellcome-Travel- ders and Parkinson’s Disease held in New Medical University of Lublin, Poland ling Fellowship 1998 for awarding me, so York, 10-14 October 1998. Being able to I was able to visit the 3rd Congress of participate in this event allowed me to im- EFNS in Spain, Seville 1998. The Con- prove my knowledge in this growing field The IXth International Congress for Neu- gress afforded me to meet and share ide- of research and to present 3 papers on romuscular Diseases took place in Ad- as with neurologists from all over Europe some rare extrapyramidal disorders. This elaide, Australia, from 30th August to 4th and the rest of the world. I would like to was a unique opportunity to discuss with September 1998. One of the basic aims thank again the WFN for giving me this neurologists from all over the world espe- of the Congress was to determine the po- wonderful opportunity. sition of research in the field of neu- cially interested in movement disorders Dr Tomislav Stefanovski romuscular diseases at the end of the and Parkinson’s disease and to exchange Macedonia 20th century and the goals for the begin- experiences and ideas. Lectures and ning of the 21st century. The predominant poster presentations concerned a broad topics from the field of basic sciences spectrum of disorders but I was mostly in- This year I was awarded a Junior Travel- were the genetics and the molecular biol- terested by the genetics of Parkinson’s ling Fellowship to attend the 3rd Congress ogy of neuromuscular diseases. The as- disease and lectures about the alpha-sy- of the European Federation of Neurologi- sessment of the human genome and the nucleins and their functions, the parkin cal Societies in Seville on September biochemistry of gene expression were gene and recent advances in surgical 19th–25th 1998. It was a great honour and discussed. New entities from the groups treatment of Parkinson’s disease and oth- pleasure to be one of these lucky young of mitochondrial diseases and sarcogly- er movement disorders such as dystonia. neurologists who could present their re- canopathies and channelopathies were search papers in such an interesting con- presented in more detail, namely the Em- Neziha Gouider-Khouja ference. That was a unique occasion to ery-Dreifuss Disease and the Betlem my- Tu ni si a

WFN JUNIOR TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIPS 1999

The following applicants were Vienna, August 22–27, 1999 14–17, 1999 awarded WFN Junior Travelling Fel- lowships in 1999: • Dalius Jatuzis, Lithuania • Viktor Svigelj, Slovenia 8th European Stroke Conference 4th Congress of EFNS - Lisbon, – Venice, April 7–10, 1999 September 7–11, 1999 • David Chkhartishvili, Georgia XI Int’l Congress of EMG and Clin- • Marina Korechkina, Russia • Evia Jurevica, Latvia ical Neurophysiology – Prague, EFNS Congress – Lisbon, 7–11 EFNS Congress – Lisbon, 7–11 September 7–11, 1999 September 1999 September 1999

• Carlos Cosentino, Peru •Janika Korv, Estonia • Marjan Zaletel, Slovenia XIII Int’l Congress on Parkinson’s EFNS Congress — Lisbon, Sep- 4th Congress of EFNS - Lisbon, Disease – Vancouver, July 1999 tember 7–11, 1999 September 7–11, 1999

• Lodi Gogovska, Macedonia •Uday Muthane, India • Nina Tsakadze, Georgia European Charcot Foundation XIII Int’l Congress on Parkinsons 4th Congress of EFNS - Lisbon, Symposium ‘Genes and Viruses Disease – Vancouver, July 24–28, September 7–11, 1999 in Multiple Sclerosis’ – Venice, 1999 October 28–30, 1999 The World Federation of Neurology wish- • K.P.Sivaranaman Nair, India es to acknowledge the generous support • Sherif Mohamed Hamdy, Egypt 2nd World Congress of Neurolog- of Glaxo Wellcome which has made 9th World Congress on Pain – ical Rehabilitation – Toronto, April these awards possible.

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 Meeting Reports 13

MEETING REPORTS be successful too because the ASNA has with local and other Arab speakers in already identified itself and established its highlighting these topics. All update ses- identity in this part of the world. sions were well attended by local general 3rd ASNA Convention Prasert Boongird, MD physicians, neurologists and specialists The 3rd Biennial Convention of the ASEAN Chairman, 3rd ASNA Convention Organiz- from different Gulf states. During the Con- Neurological Association (ASNA) and the ing Committee ference, a business meeting was held with 39th Annual Meeting of The Neurological officials of other regional Gulf societies Society of Thailand were held in Chiang- 2nd Kuwait Neurologi- and the Pan Arab Union for Neurological mai from February 3–5, 1999. The meet- cal Conference & 1st Societies (PAUNS). A suggestion was ings were highly successful and oversub- Gulf Regional Meeting made to form an executive body for this scribed by the participants despite a se- region composed of Gulf Co-operation vere economic crisis in this region. There 1–3 November 1998 Council Countries’ representatives with Dr were 453 people, more than half of them, The Kuwait Neurological Society held its Asmahan Al-Shubaili of Kuwait as its co- 246, were foreign delegates. The total 2nd Conference and 1st Gulf Meeting of number of participating countries was 18. ordinator. The main aim of this group is to Regional Societies in Kuwait from 1-3 No- Both academic and non-academic activi- encourage and promote scientific activi- vember 1998. ties were finished with great and memora- ties and research in the region. Oman was ble success. Many positive comments Over a period of three days, the scientific chosen to hold the 2nd Regional Confer- were received from invited speakers, na- sessions covered a wide range of impor- ence at Muscat in 2000, it would therefore tional and international delegates. The tant topics with special reference to the re- be alternating with PAUNS Conferences. number of attendees was 3 times more gion, including multiple sclerosis, epilep- than my original estimation. I strongly be- sy, stroke, headache and peripheral neu- Dr Asmahan Al-Shubaili lieve that the next 4th ASNA Convention in ropathies. An international faculty, of Consultant Neurologist & Head of Organ- Penang, Malaysia two years from now will outstanding calibre participated along izing Committee

BOOK REVIEWS Subarachnoid Hemor- This is a model monograph and will be the rhage definitive reference work on the subject for the foreseeable future. Headache Ed: Takehiko Yanagihara, David G Piepgras, John L D Atkin- Ed: Egilius L H Spierings son Echoenhancers and ISBN: 0-7506-7128-9 ISBN: 0-8247-9519-9 Transcranial Color No. of pages: 236 No. of Pages: 567 Duplex Sonography Price: £15.99 Price: $195.00 Ed: U Bogdahn, G Becker, F Publication date: 1998 Publication Date: 1998 Schlachetzki Publisher: Butterworth Heinemann Publisher: Marcel Dekker ISBN: 0-63204-856-5 No. of pages: 420 This pocket-book succinctly covers the Since subarachnoid haemorrhage is one Price: £99.50 huge topic of headache and is intended of the most devastating of neurological Publication Date: 1998 for the general practitioner. Divided into disorders this monograph is to be highly Publisher: Blackwell Wissenschafts- three parts depending on whether the welcomed. It deals with the whole subject Verlag GmbH from animal experiments and epidemiolo- headache is acute, subacute or chronic, This book has more than 400 coloured gy to investigations, management and re- this novel approach provides an excellent photographs. Whilst the first part of the habilitation. introduction to the subject and is highly book (Part A) deals with basic principles, recommended. 22 of the 27 contributors are from the the second part (Part B) covers the clinical Mayo Clinic, Rochester, so its comprehen- applications such as findings in stroke, Amyotrophic Lateral sive coverage gives the current views of AVM’s, tumours and extrapyramidal dis- Sclerosis that institution. ease. This is an essential reference book for all those dealing with echoenhancers Ed: Andrew Eisen / Charles and transcranial duplex sonography. Krieger pH and Brain Function ISBN: 0-521-58103-60 Ed: Kai Kaila, Bruce R Ransom Neurologic Disease in No. of pages: 303 ISBN: 0-471-11838-9 Women Price: £45.00 [US$74.95] No. of pages: 688 Publication Date: 1998 Price: £136.00 Ed: Peter W Kaplan ISBN: 1-888799-15-3 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication Date: 1998 No. of pages: 453 Publisher: Wiley-Liss The two co-authors from Vancouver are to Price: unknown be congratulated on this superb update of Divided into seven sections, the first gives Publication Date: 1998 a disease which has worried neurologists an excellent introduction, the second is on Publisher: Demos Medical Publishing since the days of Charcot. It is still disturb- methodology, the third on cellular regula- Inc. ing that less than one eighth of the book is tion, while the following three deal with It could be asked whether neurological concerned with treatment but that is various aspects of pH control. The final disease in women differs significantly enough to indicate that there is light at the section is on pathophysiology, the last from that in men. This volume gives the end of the tunnel of therapeutic nihilism. chapter being on brain oedema. answer. The first part is devoted to general

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 14 Book Reviews issues in women and includes such chap- age of neurologists in developing coun- Genetics of Focal ters as “Sex differences in Regional Brain tries, many patients with neurological dis- Epilepsies Structure and Function” and “Ovarian orders are looked after by internists and Hormones and the Nervous System”. general practitioners. This volume will be a Ed: S F Berkovic, P Genton, E valuable reference book and the editors Hirsch, F Picard The second part is on “Life Stages and ISBN: 0 86196 569 8 are to be congratulated on their choice of Neurologic Disease in Women” and dis- No. of pages: 286 nearly 100 experts in this field, the majority cusses such topics as menstruation, Price: £59.00 / US$103 of whom, as would be expected, are from pregnancy and obstetric issues, the men- Publication Date: 1999 India. opausal transition and the role of oestro- Publisher: John Libbey & Co Ltd gens in Alzheimer’s disease. Because of increasing travel in a global The title of the book indicates the conun- The third and final part systematically re- village, this compendium will also prove drum of how a genetically determined views neurologic disorders in women con- exceedingly useful for those working in brain disorder can be focal. It also points cluding with a chapter on “Gender Differ- the developed world. out that “benign” is not the same as “idio- ences in Diseases of the Nervous Sys- pathic” since the latter term refers to aeti- tem”. This is a commendable book on this ology whilst the former refers to progno- Challenge Epilepsy – sis. particular subject. New Antiepileptic Drugs The book is an excellent monograph for Basic Neurochemistry, Ed: Hermann Stefan, Gunter what many might consider a narrow 6th Edition Kramer, Bruno Mamoli theme but its coverage extends to febrile Ed: George J Siegel ISBN: 3-89412-385-0 convulsion, reading epilepsy and hot wa- ISBN: 0 3975 1820 X No. of pages: 258 ter epilepsy. No. of pages: 1200 Price: £39.50 Price: US $73.50 / £48.00 Publication Date: 1998 Immunological and Publication Date: October 1998 Inflammatory Disorders Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publisher: Blackwell Science of the Central Nervous The fact that this is the sixth edition is suf- This book is based on a symposium or- System ficient evidence of the excellence of this ganised by the German-Austrian-Swiss Ed: Neil Scolding work. It is the standard definitive volume in Study Group on Epileptology which con- ISBN: 0-7506-2357-8 this field and should be on the shelves of sidered the newer anti-epileptic drugs of No. of pages: 264 every reference library. the past decade. Price: £45.00 Publication Date: 1999 Cerebrovascular This series of essays covers most of the Publisher: Butterworth Heinemann Disease, 3rd Edition problems encountered in clinical practice After an introductory chapter on immune Ed: Marc Fisher, Julien Bogous- and special emphasis is given to the prob- responses the next three chapters cover slavsky lems of clinical trial methodology. In spite demyelinating diseases. Succeeding top- ISBN: 0-7506-7119-X of much research, the relative efficacy of ics include paraneoplastic disorders, stiff No. of pages: 232 these new drugs is still controversial and man syndrome, sarcoidosis and cerebral Price: unknown further research needs to be actively pur- vasculitis. Publication Date: 1999 sued. Publisher: Butterworth Heinemann The editor of this monograph has contributed to eight of the ten chapters and is to The fact that this is the third edition testi- Drug Action in the be congratulated on a useful contribution fies to the excellence of this beautifully Central Nervous System to the literature of clinical neuroimmunolo- produced book. It provides an update of Ed: Paul M Carvey gy. continually developing topics which, to quote the editors, has been “spectacular ISBN: 0-19-509334-8 during the last three years”. No. of pages: 416 Cerebral Ischemia: Price: £22.50 Molecular and Cellular All aspects of stroke are covered and the Publication Date: 1998 Pathophysiology editors are to be congratulated on their Ed: Wolfgang Walz choice of contributors and a beautifully Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0-89603-540-9 produced review. No. of pages: 278 This monograph, written by a pharmacol- Price: $125.00 ogist, is primarily about pharmacokinetics Publication Date: March 1999 Neurology in Tropics which includes not only how drugs work, Publisher: Humana Press but also how side-effects are produced. Ed: J S Chopra, I M S Sawhney Although the human brain represents ISBN: 81-7042-121-7 Many of our theories regarding brain func- about 2% of the body weight it accounts No. of pages: 692 tion are pharmacocentric, i.e. they rely on for 20% of aerobic metabolism. This book Price: US $ 85 [including postal using centrally acting drugs as probes of concerns these energy-consuming proc- charges of US $10] brain function. The first three chapters esses and is divided into three parts. Publication date: 1999 provide the principles of drug delivery and Publisher: B I Churchill Livingstone Pvt receptor function while succeeding chap- The first gives an overview of the mecha- Ltd, 54 Janpath, New Delhi- ters focus on such individual entities as nisms of cerebral ischaemia. The second 110 001, India. pain, headache, epilepsy and movement part is on such factors of the brain’s mi- This book gives a comprehensive cover- disorders. Psychopharmacologic topics croenvironment as spreading depression age in 56 chapters. Since there is a short- are also covered. (an excellent informative chapter), cell

WORLD NEUROLOGY, Volume 14, Number 1, October 1999 Calendar 15 oedema, calcium overload, oxygen radi- Ltd, 54 Janpath, New Delhi Numb Toes and Aching cals and neuroprotective cytokines. 110 001, India. Soles: Coping with Part III deals with such cellular changes as This volume embodies the proceedings of Peripheral Neuropathy reprogramming of gene expression after an international conference on the organi- Editor: Johan A Sennef, ischaemia, necrotic versus apoptotic sation and delivery of neurological servic- ISBN: 0-9671107-1-8 changes, reactive gliosis and activated es, held under the auspices of the World No. of pages: 336 microglia. Federation of Neurology in Athens (24-26 Price: $ 19.95 (soft cover) $ 29.95 (hard cover). Shipping $4. October 1996). The different sections of This is an excellent updated review of one Publication Date: 1999 the book deal with an extensive list of top- of the most rapidly advancing topics in Publisher: Med Press, P.O Box 691546, ics, such as the world-wide epidemiology neuroscience. San Antonio, Texas, USA of neurological diseases. The volume is a Progress in Neurology, very comprehensive one and the contrib- It is perhaps the first time that such a book Vol. II utors, many of them internationally known has been written on peripheral neuropathy targeting as likely readers specialists, Ed: Donna C. Bergen, Jagjit S. in the field of neurology, have produced a Chopra, Donald Silberberg, series of well-structured and well-refer- general practitioners, paramedical staff Bosko Barac, Helmut Lech- enced papers covering an exceptionally and even the patients who suffer from this ner wide field of neurological practice and re- disease. There is an extensive review of ISBN: 81-7042-121-7 search. I am sure that many readers of the therapeutic modalities for relief of pain No. of Pages: 323 World Neurology will find the book both in peripheral neuropathies and special Price: US$18 (including postal stimulating and helpful. consideration is given to diabetics and charges) HIV sufferers. This is a useful book for Publication Date: 1998 John Walton both institutional and personal libraries. Publisher: B I Churchill Livingstone Pvt (Lord Walton of Detchant) The author deserves our congratulations.

Contact: Philippine Neurological Associa- New Delhi, India CALENDAR tion Office, Suite 1006, 10th Floor, North Contact: Satish Jain, MD Tower, Cathedral Heights Building Complex Secretary General 1999 St. Luke’s Medical Center Department of Neurology E. Rodriguez Ave., Neurosciences Centre Neurosonology Y2K Quezon City, Philippines All India Institute of Medical Sciences 8th Meeting of the Neurosonology Tel.: (632) 723-2102 (telefax) New Delhi – 110 029, India Research Group of the World Federation E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 91-1-659 4210/656 9007 of Neurology in conjunction with the Asian URL: http://www.pna.com.ph Fax: 91-11-652 1086/686 2663 Symposium on Stroke Prevention and Treat- E-mail: [email protected] ment Third International Symposium on Coma 2–6 November 1999 and Death 2001 The Grand Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan 22–25 February 2000 Contact: Taiwan Stroke Society Havana International Conference Centre, XVII World Congress of Neurology c/o Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Havana, Cuba Ta o -y u a n 33 3 , Ta i w an Contact: Calixto Machado, MD PhD 17–22 June, 2001 Tel/fax: 886 3 327 5548 President of the Symposium London, UK E-mail: [email protected] Instituto de Neurologia, Neurocirugia Venue: Earls Court 2, Earls Court Olympia, http:// www.stroke.org.tw Apartado Postal 4268 Warwick Road, London SW5, UK La Habana 10400, Cuba Contact: WCN 2001, Concorde Services Ltd The 20th Salzburg Conference Tel: 537-5530222 Ext.18 42 Canham Road Meeting of the WFN Research Group on Fax: 537-219496/228382/218270 London W3 7SR, UK Organization & Delivery of Neurological E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 181 743 3106 Services Fax: +44 (0) 181 743 1010 3–6 November 1999 e-mail: [email protected] Neuronal Plasticity: The Key to Stroke The Grand Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan http://www.concorde-uk.com/wcn-2001 Recovery Contact: Zei-Shung Huang, MD Department of Internal Medicine 19–22 March 2000 National Taiwan University Hospital Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada 2002 7 Chung-shan South Road Conference secretariat Taipei 100, Taiwan Liz Reed, Neuronal Plasticity 2000 Confer- Xth International Congress on Neuromus- Fax: 886 2 2393 4176 ence Secretariat cular Diseases Elsevier Science, The Boulevard, Langford E-mail: [email protected] 7–12 July 2002 Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Vancouver, B.C., Canada Tel: 44 (0)1865 843721; Contact: Congress Secretariat 2000 Fax: 44 (0)1865 843958 Venue West Conference Services Ltd., Email: [email protected] 10th Asian and Oceanian Congress of Suite 645, 375 Water Street Neurology Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 22-26 January 2000 3rd Congress of Asian Oceanian Epilepsy V6B 5C6 Philippine International Convention Center, Organisation (AOEO) Tel: 604 581 5226; Fax: 604 681 2503 Manila, Philippines 11–13 November 2000 E-mail: [email protected]

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