Christopher Kennard
Present academic and clinical positions: Professor of Clinical Neurology and Head, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Oxford, University Hospitals Trust
Office Address: Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
Special interests: My clinical sub-specialty is neuro-ophthalmology, particularly oculomotor and higher visual disorders. Currently my research embraces cognitive neurology and oculomotor biomarkers.
Qualifications and vision: European neurology is entering one of its most exciting periods in the 21st century, with the creation of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). The opportunities offered by bringing together two highly successful organisations, the ENS and EFNS, are immense so that the EAN will become a strengthened and revitalised organisation, which is greater than the sum of its two parts.
Having served on committees of both organisations, I have always advocated the formation of a unified European voice of neurology, and now that this is about to come to fruition it would be a great honour to lead the EAN through its birth and infancy.
The Academy is being formed to promote “excellence in neurology in Europe” and I would add, “to reduce the burden of neurological disease”. The Academy should become the “voice of neurology” in Europe, promoting the EAN and neurology to the European and national legislatures, funders, and to the public, and doing so in a collaborative way with specialist and national societies and patient advocacy groups. The formation of the Academy will undoubtedly be challenging, representing both individual members as well as national European neurological societies. However, we need to create an inclusive community with a distinctive European flavour, which takes advantage of the diversity found within Europe.
The Academy needs to be innovative and respond to the changing needs of its members, representing and integrating the full breadth of neurology.
The annual Congress must become the venue where all European neuroscience researchers, basic and clinical, wish to present their latest findings, where neurologists in general neurological practice can get updated, and where the next generation of neurologists can present their research and obtain inspiration from the very best courses and lecturers. In addition to the Congress, clinical training courses, clinical research and training fellowships, department-to-department visits for trainees and expansion of the eBrain initiative, should all be used to enhance the training and professional development of junior and senior neurologists, to provide them with as broad an educational and support function as possible, particularly for neurologists in less advantaged countries. This will help to ensure that all European neurologists feel a sense of community.
Finally, I consider my past experience places me in an excellent position to fulfil the roles of the EAN President. I have practised and managed neurology as an NHS Consultant and as an academic, holding three Professorships in Clinical Neurology since 1981. I have led large academic neuroscience departments, was Deputy Head of one of the UK’s largest medical schools, Imperial College London and have chaired the Neuroscience and Mental Health Board of the UK’s Medical Research Council. I was responsible for the organisation of the successful 2001 World Congress of Neurology in London (7000 delegates), have been the President of the Association of British Neurologists and am currently President of the European Neuro-ophthalmology Society. Finally, I chair the WFN’s Publication’s Committee and have served on the ENS Council and led one of the EFNS’s Scientist’s Panels.
5 most important publications:
Shaunak S, Orrell RW, O’Sullivan E, Hawken MB, Lane RJ, Henderson L, Kennard C
Oculomotor function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: evidence for frontal impairment
1995 Ann Neurol. 38(1):38-44 DOI:10.1002/ana.410380109
Husain M, Shapiro K, Martin J, Kennard C
Abnormal temporal dynamics of visual attention in spatial neglect patients.
1997 Nature 385 (6612):154-156 DOI:10.1038/385154a0
Husain M, Mannan S, Hodgson T, Wojciulik E, Driver J, Kennard C
Impaired spatial working memory across saccades contributes to abnormal search in parietal neglect
2001 Brain 124:941-952DOI: 10.1093/brain/124.5.941
Nachev P, Rees G, Parton A, Kennard C, Husain M
Volition and conflict in human medial frontal cortex
2005 Current Biology 15(2):122-128 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.01.006
Golding CV, Danchaivijitr C, Hodgson TL, Tabrizi SJ, Kennard C
Identification of an oculomotor biomarker of preclinical Huntington’s disease
2006 Neurology 67(3):485-487 DOI:10.1212/01.wnl.0000218215.43328.88
