Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Chair of the Scientific Committee, can you illustrate the role you give to the EAN within the community of European neurologists?
Antonio Federico (AF): EAN has a very important role, because it is the only European society of general neurology, collecting a lot of members of all the different European nationalities. It may spread the information on what is new in neurology, but also produces important guidelines that will help European neurologist in their practical work. It also helps European neurologists for research, facilitates information on applying for EU grants, for establishing scientific networks and finally giving patients correct information on different diseases.
GLL: The EAN needs to be the overall umbrella society for neurology and neurology related specialties. How can your specific work with the Scientific Committee bring and add value to this aim?
AF: The Scientific Committee coordinates the activities of many panels related to the most important specific topics in neurology. In these panels, subspecialists from each country participate. The panels are very important for stimulating research interactions, proposing workshops and other activities for the EAN annual congress, and working on the guidelines.
Of course, since many other subspecialty societies exist, an interaction of the panels and these societies will be encouraged.
Focused workshops, teaching courses and other session at the congress and guideline productions will be the main interactions between subspecialties and general neurology.
GLL: What is your view on the future of the educational grants for young neurologists EAN makes available?
AF: I hope that they may increase. It is very important that the EAN will be a special forum for young neurologists from the different European (eastern and western) and also non-European countries. I hope we can increase Department-to-Department exchanges for young neurologists, as well as all the activities related to young neurologists. The young represent our future!
GLL: Can you share with our readers your vision on how Neuropenews can help strengthen EAN’s identity?
AF: All the different EAN activities may be reported in Neuropenews, which will inform European neurologists on the different EAN activities and projects.
As chair of the Scientific Committee I hope to organise through Neuropenews an information page dedicated to rare neurological diseases, which in my opinion represent an important aspect of neurology, both for practice and for research.
Professor Antonio Federico works at the department of neurological sciences and behaviour at the University of Siena, Italy
