by Franz Fazekas
Dear colleagues and friends,
I am very excited that the EAN-family will meet again in Oslo in less than three months. I can assure you that all preparations are full on track.
Reviewers and the Programme Committee, chaired by Prof. Tony Marson, have had a hard time to evaluate the 2,250 abstract submissions and to assign the different formats of presentation. A strong emphasis will be given again to e-poster presentations as this has worked out so well last year, with a very exciting program that will cover almost all aspects of Neurology. Information on abstract acceptance was sent out two weeks ago and I am sure that most of you have received good news. If your work has been rejected, please do not feel offended. EAN has the duty to constantly strive for increasing quality and scientific excellence that can be reached when the bar is very high. Please also note that the Early Registration deadline for the Congress is April 10. Do not forget to register and to prepare your travel in time. EAN is proud to invite 240 colleagues with accepted abstracts to the congress and to support them with a travel grant.
Oslo will also be the time to think back and reflect on the first 5 years of EAN. There has been a remarkable change in our Annual Meeting, with many new educational and scientific formats and a broadening of the scope of general Neurology. These changes are also confirmed by the big interest of old and new partners from other societies and organizations as well as pharmaceutical industry. Progress in diagnosing and treating neurologic disorders is ongoing at a fast pace, and for some disorders, especially rare diseases, it is the first time that efficient drugs become available. This development certainly cannot go without disappointment such as the recent stopping of two Alzheimer trials with aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody to clear amyloid ß from the brain, for futility to reach the primary endpoint. Thus, you will not only hear about new opportunities and options for diagnosing and treating your patients at the Oslo Congress but also about failures. We will try to learn from them – and we will meet new players in the field.
For many of you the Congress will also be a great opportunity to meet in the various Scientific Panels to discuss and steer the field in your specific topic. These Panels are the scientific back bone of our society, and constitute the work force and think tank to drive the way forward in research and education. For the EAN Board, the Congress also offers the opportunity to meet officers of other international neurology and specialty societies, and representatives from the World Federation of Neurology and Neurologic Academies all around the world will attend.
If all goes well, the main street of Oslo City will be “EAN flagged” for the meeting. It is a great pleasure to see how much the Norwegian Neurologic Society is looking forward for this event. Please also be prepared and look out for what we will plan and offer to celebrate the 5th anniversary of EAN.
Therefore, I sincerely hope that you will be able to join us in Oslo – a very exciting congress is promised.
Best wishes,
Franz Fazekas
