Interviews

Elena Moro: Dear Prof. Vincent, you have recently been awarded with the WFN Medal for Scientific Achievement in Neurology. We congratulate with you for this well-deserved outstanding recognition! In light of your longstanding experience in the world of neuro-immunology in particular, what do you think is it the most recent important discovery in your field? Angela Vincent (AV): Well first of all thank you for the congratulations.  I am thrilled to receive the WFN Medal and it is much appreciated. Neuroimmunology is a relatively recent discipline – probably only first defined in the 1980s. 

As in the previous years, EANpages asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, and invited speakers  which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Lisbon 2018. Please find their answers below!

Antonio Federico (AF): On January 29-30, there has been in Tubingen the Kick-Off Meeting of the EU Project Solve-RD. You and Prof. Olaf Riess are coordinating this project. Can you summarize the aim and the activities of this important project? Holm Graessner (HG): To obtain a molecularly confirmed diagnosis remains one of the largest challenges for rare disease patients. To jointly tackle this challenge a core group of four European Reference Networks including the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases has motivated, designed and put together the Solve-RD project which is the first ERN based H2020 funded research project. Solve-RD brings together 21 partners from 10 countries which will be running from 2018 to 2022.

Dear Prof. Cras, I congratulate you for your election as Chair of the UEMS Section of Neurology. David B. Vodušek (DBV):  It is felt that many European neurologists may not be fully aware of the role of UEMS in general, and the distinctions between SN UEMS and EAN, would you offer your explanation to the readers of the EAN Pages? Patrick Cras (PC): Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes, also called European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), was founded in 1958, shortly after the founding of the European Common Market.  Those of us who feel inspired by the European project will agree that professional standard setting and continuing professional development has an international dimension.  

David B. Vodušek (DBV): UEMS-Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes/European Union of Medical Specialists has already a long experience with accreditation of international CME in Europe. Please inform about the situation of CME in European countries. What are the differences between CME and CPD? Nathalie Paulus (NP): One of the aims of the UEMS has always been to try and harmonise CME/CPD in Europe. In this respect the UEMS regularly conducts surveys in order to explore the state of play of CME/CPD in Europe. The latest survey dates back to 2014.

Thank you for hosting applicants of the EAN Clinical Fellowship. How would you evaluate this EAN educational opportunity? The EAN Clinical Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for young neurologists and trainees, to focus on a specific clinical field, and learn / share experience with centres specialised in that field. It is also rewarding for us to meet young, enthusiastic fellows.

As in the previous years, EANpages asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, and invited speakers  which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Lisbon 2018. Please find their answers below!

David B. Vodušek (DBV): When looking back at your long and varied career, can you tell us what was crucial for you to choose neurology as your specialty, and headache as your primary research field of interest?  Jes Olesen (JO): Already as a medical student, I was interested in neurology. I thought at that time – and I still think so today – that the brain is by far the most interesting organ in a human being.

David B Vodušek (DBV): In light of your long-standing experience in the world of neurology world-wide, what would your “diagnosis” be concerning its “state of art”? William Carroll (WC): What a good question to begin with. I would say my “diagnosis” is healthy and its prognosis is one of cautious optimism mixed with exciting opportunities and challenges.

David B. Vodušek (DBV): The Scientific Panel for Health – SPH is an official and unique panel of the EC within H2020. Can you introduce the SPH to the readers of EAN and explain its tasks? Karin Sipido (KS): The European Commission’s Scientific Panel for Health is a science-led expert group based on the provisions of the Horizon2020 Specific Programme.

Prof. Gunhild Waldemar (GW): Geriatric medicine has become very important in our fast ageing European population.I invite you to introduce the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society – EUGMS of which you are the president to the EANpages readership. Can you please explain to the readers of the EAN Pages what the EUGMS stands for and what its objectives and aims are? Prof. Stefania Maggi (SM): The European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, EUGMS, is the collaborating and co-ordinating organisation of the national geriatric medical societies of the European Union member states, but also includes Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. The EUGMS’ mission is to develop geriatric medicine in all member states as a recognised independent medical specialty, contributing to the care of all older people with age related diseases.

David B. Vodušek (DBV): Can you tell us about your training and how you ended up looking after neurological patients with uro-neurological symptoms? David B. Vodušek (DBV): Can you tell us about your training and how you ended up looking after neurological patients with uro-neurological symptoms? Clare J Fowler (CJF): My early training included neurology at a junior level, but when it came to choosing a career path I was advised to pursue clinical neurophysiology, on the grounds that it could be a 'suitable' job for a woman with children. Furthermore, there was a UK shortage of consultant neurophysiologists.

the understanding or treatment of MS. David B. Vodušek (DBV): Can you tell us about your training and how you ended up looking after neurological patients with MS and pursuing research in MS? Per Soelberg Sorensen (PSS): When I was a young doctor, I was fascinated by neurology because of the way the neurologist would deduct where the lesion in the nervous system was located based on the history and objective examination. This was before the appearance of scanners.

eter Van den Bergh (PVdB): Peripheral neuropathies are common neurological disorders. In the annual EAN congresses, they are an important topic which the Scientific Panel Neuropathies strives to integrate in the scientific and in the educational Program. I would like to introduce the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) of which you are the president to the EANpages readership. Can you please explain what the PNS stands for and what its objectives and aims are to the readers of the EANpages? Mary Reilly (MR): The Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) is an international organisation of physicians and scientists working together to develop and provide the best treatments for people who have peripheral nerve diseases.