DANUBE NEUROLOGY NEWSLETTER

Newsletter No. 13. November, 2006

INTERNATIONAL DANUBE NEUROLOGY

ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPE

 

Honorary President: Prof. Dr.Dr.h.c. Franz Gerstenbrand (Vienna); Secretary General: Prof. Dr. László Vécsei (Szeged)

Deputy Secretary General: Prof. Dr. Zbigniew Stelmasiak (Lublin); Scientific Secretary: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Ransmayr (Linz)

Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. János Tajti (Szeged); Head of Office: Assoc. Lecturer Erika Grossmann (Szeged)

 

 

 

Contents:

1. Protocol of the Curatorium Management Committee Meeting of the

International Danube Association (Glasgow, 2-5 September, 2006)

2. Consensus Document on European Brain Research

3. The Fifth International Congress on Vascular Dementia

4. The Third Central Eastern European Neurological Symposium

(April 26-27, 2007, Szeged, Hungary)

5. The 15th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (2011, Budapest, Hungary)

6. Future Conferences, Meetings, Courses and Symposia

7. Present and Future Activities of the International Danube Neurology Association

8. Finances of the International Danube Neurology Association

9. Web-site of the International Danube Neurology Association

 

 

* Important information for all Danube Neurology Association members receiving the Danube Newsletter *

Due to financial reasons, our next Danube Neurology Newsletter will be posted mainly per e-mail.

If you would like to receive the printed version of the Newsletter free of charge in the future, please send a short e-mail with your request to the following address: grossmannerika@hotmail.com (Erika Grossmann)

 

  1. Protocol of the Curatorium Management Committee Meeting of the

International Danube Association (Glasgow, Great Britain, 2-5 September, 2006)

The forthcoming Curatorium Management Meeting of our Association was held in Glasgow, Great Britain.

We are glad to announce that following colleagues have participated – as guests – at the Curatorium Meeting:

  • Professor Ashraf Al-Kurdi (from Jordan, World Federation of Neurology)

  • Professor Jagit S. Chopra (from India, World Federation of Neurology)

Below you find the protocol of the Meeting:

  1. Introduction (Professor F. Gerstenbrand)

  2. Professor L. Vécsei (General Secretary) gave a report about the present activities of the IDS as follows:

    1. The Danube Neurology Newsletter No. 12 (in June 2006) was posted to 600 addresses per surface mail and e-mail to International Danube Neurology Association members, participants at former Danube Symposia and Teaching Courses.

    2.2 The web-site of the Danube Association is being constantly actualized with all Danube Newsletters, new, up-to-date information about future meetings, symposia, teaching courses, etc. (http://www.szote.u-szeged.hu/neur/danube)

  3. ESCNP Symposium 2007 (Letter from Prof. L. Battistin)

  4. Brief discussion about the organization of the 39th Danube Neurology Symposium in Würzburg, Germany (Organizer: Professor P. Riederer, 2-5 June 2007)

  5. Future International Danube Neurology Symposia:

    1. The 40th Danube Neurology Symposium organized by Professor O. Bajenaru (2008 Romania)

    2. The 41st Danube Neurology Symposium organized by Professor G. Ransmayr (2009, Austria)

    3. The 42nd Danube Neurology Symposium organized by Professor V. Demarin and

      4. Professor M. Relja (2010, Croatia)

       

    4. The 43rd Danube Neurology Symposium organized by Professor H. Reichmann (2011, Germany)

    5. The 44th Danube Neurology Symposium organized by Professor L. Vécsei (2012, Hungary)

  6. Discussion of organization of 45th International Danube Symposium in 2013. Present applicant is: Professor E. Růžička (Prague, Czech Republic). Final decision will be made by the Danube Curatorium Management Committee in Würzburg, 2007.

  7. Future Meetings, Teaching and Training Courses, Exchange Programs under the auspices of the International Danube Neurology Association (Professor L. Vécsei); planned venues of teaching and training courses – in alphabetical order – are: Bulgaria, Poland, Rumania, Serbia.

  8. Teaching Course organized by Prof. Z. Stelmasiak: “Progress in Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy and Headache”; venue and time: Kazimierz, Poland, 29-30-31 March, 2007.

  9. Suggestion for the organization of National Brain Councils in all European countries (Prof. L. Vécsei)

  10. Plans and discussion about the organization of Danube exchange programs (Prof. F. Gerstenbrand, Professor L. Vécsei)

  11. Finances of the Danube Neurology Symposia, Training and Teaching Courses: 70:30 between the local organizers and the permanent International Danube Neurology Association Secretariat or to transfer the amount of min. EUR 2,500 to the Secreteriat.
  12. Collaboration with EFNS, WFN, EPDA, EBC and other neurological organizations (Professor F. Gerstenbrand).

  13. Future Danube Association activities (Prof. L. Vécsei)

  14. Closing remarks (Prof. F. Gerstenbrand)

2. Consensus Document on European Brain Research

Jes Olesen, Mary G Baker, Tamas Freund, Monica di Luca, Julien Mendlewicz, Ian Ragan, Manfred Westphal

(In: Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Vol. 77 Supplement I, August 2006: i1-i49)

The publication stresses the followings: “Brain disease psychiatric and neurologic disease combined represents a considerable social and economic burden in Europe. (...) That burden is set to grow, mainly due to the fact that the European population is ageing. (...) In general, increasing funding in the brain sciences would bring enormous economic returns by lightening the burden on healthcare systems and increasing the productivity of affected individuals – and might easily pay for itself. The human and social returns of such an investment are inestimable. And the time to act is now.“ (Consensus Document on European Brain Research. Olesen, Baker, Freund et al. In: Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Vol. 77 Supplement I, August 2006: i1).

The authors underline the importance of the financial investment in brain sciences. “Over the last decades, Europe has been losing ground to the USA and Japan in terms of both basic and clinical research. Many of Europe’s young researchers are taking up posts in the USA and staying there. Big pharmaceutical companies are fleeing Europe for the USA, taking drug development programmes with them.” (see above: i1) The need for further innovative treatments and research work in biotechnology could be a promising future. Therefore, it needs further “collaboration between countries, greater collaboration between industry, academia and patient organisations, and increased investment in the brain sciences.” (see above: i1)

The EBC (European Brain Council) outlined a compound programme with 45 research themes and topics in different brain disciplines. These projects focus on the major brain diseases connected with the related basic research necessary for a possible treatment. “The programme is therefore constructed “from man to molecule” and not the other way round, with equal importance attached to basic and clinical research. “ (see above: i1)

“In general, increasing funding in the brain sciences would bring enormous economic returns by lightening the burden on healthcare systems and increasing the productivity of affected individuals – and might easily pay for itself. The human and social returns of such an investment are inestimable. And the time to act is now“, summarize the authors their opinion as closing remarks in the executive summary. (see above: i1)

The article focuses on the following topics:

  1. Executive summary

  2. Brain diseases

  3. Brain research

  4. Ethics

  5. Aims and methodology

  6. Suggested research themes

    1. Development, plasticity and ageing of the brain in health and disease

    2. Mind-brain relationship and mental disorders

    3. Degeneration and repair in the brain

    4. Revealing pain mechanism and their control

    5. Rehabilitation, psychosocial care and prevention

    6. Sensory systems and automatic disturbances

    7. Towards a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach

  7. The need for funding

  8. Concluding remarks

  9. Acknowledgement

 

 

3. The Fifth International Congress on Vascular Dementia

(8-11 November, 2007, Budapest, Hungary)

The 5th International Congress on Vascular Dementia will take place in Budapest, Hungary.

Honorary President: J. Toole (USA); Co-Chairmen: A.D. Korczyn (Israel); L. Vécsei (Hungary)

Venue and time: 8-11 November, 2007 - Budapest, Hungary

Information: Kenes International Tel.: +41 22 908 0488 Fax: +41 22 732 2850

E-mail: vascular@kenes.com www.kenes.com/vascular

 

 

 

4. The Third Central Eastern European Neurological Symposium

(April 26-27, 2007, Szeged, Hungary)

Initiated by: Professor H. Reichmann

Scientific Committee: Z. Kadanka (Brno), P. Kalvach (Prague), V. Kostic (Belgrade),

H. Reichmann (Dresden), E. Růžička (Prague), A. Sczudlik (Krakow), L. Sztriha (Szeged),

L. Vécsei (Szeged),

Local Organizers: L. Sztriha (Szeged), J. Tajti (Szeged), L. Vécsei (Szeged)

 

 

 

5. The 15th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies

(2011, Budapest, Hungary)

We would like to draw your attention on the following future meeting:

15th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies

Local Organizing Committee: L. Csiba, S. Komoly, Z. Nagy, I. Szirmai;

Chairman of Local Organizing Committee: L. Vécsei

Time: 2011 Venue: Budapest, Hungary

Information: Kenes International Tel.: +41 22 908 0488 Fax: +41 22 732 2850

 

 

 

 

6. Future Meetings of the International Danube Neurology Association

6.1 The 39th International Danube Neurology Symposium in conjunction

with the 1st International Congress on ADHD: from childhood to adult disease

Venue: Congress Center of Würzburg, Germany Time: June 3-7, 2007

Scientific Organizer: Prof. Peter Riederer E-mail address: peter.riederer@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de

Organization: CPO Hanser Service E-Mail: wuerzburg@cpo-hanser.de www.danube-wuerzburg.de

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 28 February 2007 End of Early Registration Fee: 1 April 2007

List of preliminary topics: 39th Danube Symposium – Analgesis; Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Dementia Disorders; Dyskinesias; Dystonia; Epilepsy; Gait Disorders; Migraine/Headache; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscle Disorders; Myasthenia Gravis; Neuropathyn; Neuropsychiatry; Neurorehabilitation; Pain; Parkinson´s Disease; Psychosis; Restless Legs Syndrome; Sleeping Disorders; Tics; Viral CNS disorders

1st International Congress on ADHD – Addiction; Depression; Co-morbidity; Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Electrophysiology; Etiopathogenesis; Genetics; Imaging; Models, experimental; Molecular Mechanisms; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Psychostimulants; Substance abuse; Tourette’s syndrome; Treatment

6.2 Teaching Course of Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: “Romanian Society of Neurology” and the “Society for the Study

of Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity” (SSNI)

Time: 21-22 March, 2007 Venue: New Montana Hotel (Sinaia, Romania)

 

 

6.3 Teaching Course of Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor Z. Stelmasiak

Title: “Progress in Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy and Headache”

Time: 29-30-31 March, 2007 Venue: Kazimierz, Poland

 

6.4 The 40th International Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor Ovidiu Bajenaru, Romania E-mail: ovalbajenaru@xnet.ro Time: 2008

 

6.5 The 41st International Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor Gerhard Ransmayr, Austria

E-mail: gerhard.ransmayr@akh.linz.at Time: 2009

 

6.6 The 42nd International Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor Vida Demarin & Professor Maja Relja

E-mail: Vida-demarin@zg.litnet.hr & mrelja@mamef.mef.hr Time: 2010

 

6.7 The 43rd International Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor Heinz Reichmann (Dresden, Germany)

E-mail: Heinz-Reichmann@mailbox.tu-dresden.de Time: 2011

 

6.8 The 44th International Danube Neurology Symposium

Organized by: Professor László Vécsei (Szeged, Hungary)

E-mail: vecsei@nepsy.szote.u-szeged.hu Time: 2012

 

7. Present and Future Activities of the International Danube Neurology Association

  • The Danube Neurology Association fosters and coordinates fellowship programs for young neurologists from Danube Countries

  • Coordination of future Danube Neurology Symposia

  • The Danube Neurology Newsletter is posted to more than 600 surface addresses, and the electronic version is available free of charge on Internet as well;

  • Information about future events (Calendar of events)

  • We also consider as our task to help with the activity of the EFNS in the Danube-countries.

 

 

 

8. Finances of the International Danube Neurology Association

According to previous decision of the Danube Curatorium Meeting, the financial sources of the International Danube Neurology Association from all kinds of symposia, conferences, meetings or courses under the roof and auspices of our organization, are as follows:

According to a final report of the meetings, symposia, etc. to be handed in electronically to the Head Office in Szeged, Hungary, the financial surplus of all meetings should be divided 70:30 between the Local Organizers and the permanent International Danube Neurology Symposium Head Office in Szeged, Hungary. Or the amount of min. EUR 2,500 is to be transferred – together with the financial report – to the Head Office according to our invoice.

 

 

 

9. Web-site of the International Danube Neurology Association

The home-page of the International Danube Neurology Association consists of:

  • the contents of all Newsletter (Nr.1-13)
  • Managing and Executive Board Members of Danube Neurology Association
  • Past and future Symposia, Conferences, Meetings
  • Other further important information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danube Association web-site:

http://www.szote.u-szeged.hu/neur/danube