Interviews

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Treasurer of the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European neurologists? Marianne de Visser (MdV): The Board is unanimous about the need to spend most of EAN’s income on educational activities. In the December issue of Neuropenews, President Deuschl expressed his concern about the increasing demand of neurologists and thus we need not only accommodate residents and young neurologists but also medical students should feel attracted to neurology.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): Ethical standards are an important aspect of H2020. How did the EC decide on these standards and who took part in their definition? Isidoros Karatzas (IK): The ethics standards are based on, for example, the principles of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention of Human rights (Article 19, Horizon 2020 regulation). Also on the relevant principles that flow from specific European and National legislation such as data protection and privacy, clinical trials etc. The Sector also follows and participates in the dialogue with the responsible Member States structures, such as the national Bioethics Committees, the network of Research Ethics Committees etc.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Chair of the Teaching Course Sub-Committee of the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European neurologists? Theodor Landis (TL): EAN, the fusion of the two major European neurological societies, should become the home for neurology and neurology related specialities. It should combine the strongholds and particularities of both previous societies in a harmonious way and as such that it appeals to the broad majority of neurologists all over Europe. 

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As President of the EHF, can you illustrate the role you would like EAN to cover within the world of European Neurology? Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas (DDM): The European Headache Federation represents all national Headache Societies in Europe and neighbouring nations. Since its foundation in 1992, EHF has sought to improve the life of those affected by headache in this territory. Headache is by far the commonest neurological symptom and primary headache disorders are the most frequent neurological conditions affecting million Europeans.

As in the previous year, Neuropenews asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, speakers, … which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Berlin, June 2015. Please find their answers below …

Dr. Elena Moro, a young neurologist with multi-national and multi-continental training and experience, will be the new EDITOR-IN-CHIEF of Neuropenews. With the help and enthusiasm of Dr. Tim von Oertzen, the web-Editor, they will shortly propose a brand new web journal of our Academy, to the European Neurology community.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): The EAN website is to become the primary source of information on European neurology. Can you briefly describe/illustrate your plans to achieve this? Tim von Oertzen (TvO): The website is an essential tool for EAN to communicate and interact with its members and with the public. To fulfill this role its users should easily find the information they are looking for within an intuitive design. We will provide information on the EAN, its programmes and initiatives as well as on neurology in Europe.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): The EAN – European Academy of Neurology is the platform by excellence for all European neurologists. Can you briefly outline the mission of The Michael J. Fox Foundation to the neurologists and Neuropenews readers?

As in the previous year, Neuropenews asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, speakers, … which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Berlin, June 2015. Please find their answers below …

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Member at Large to the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European Neurologists? Per Soelberg Sorensen (PSS): As member at Large to the EAN I am proud to be a part of this new important amalgamation of ENS and EFNS. It is the aim of the new board to develop EAN into a European organisation that can match the American Academy of Neurology in worldwide importance.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): How do you see the role of patient and carers organisations in society, and, specifically, Alzheimer Europe? Jean Georges (JG): Most Alzheimer associations were initially set up for three principal reasons: to provide information on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, to provide support to people with dementia and their carers and to raise the awareness of the general public. Since the early days of the Alzheimer movement, some associations have taken on additional tasks such as lobbying governments for a greater recognition of dementia as a public health priority or funding dementia research.

As in the previous year, Neuropenews asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, speakers, … which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Berlin, June 2015. Please find their answers below …

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As President of the European Stroke Organisation, can you illustrate the role you would like EAN to cover within the world of European Neurology? Kennedy Lees (KL): EAN should represent specialists in neurology to ensure that their contribution to stroke care is recognised, and in countries where this is under-represented should work to promote their involvement. It should offer an educational function, teaching general neurologists about the latest and most important aspects of stroke that they may encounter in their practice. 

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Coordinator of the European Affairs Sub-Committee of the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European Neurologists? Wolfgang Oertel (WO): EAN represents all European Neurologists – from Uzbekistan to Portugal, from Malta to Island and neurologists from all countries which are and/or wish to be closely related to Europe - for example countries around the Mediterranean area. EAN is the one and only professional European society for neurologists. It speaks for the first time ever in the 160 year long history of European neurology with one voice – through the president and the officers. Every neurologist should realize that she/he now has a professional home and a united and powerful society to represent and pursue her or his interest. And neurologists should use this new chance.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Chair of the MDS-European Section, can you illustrate the role you would like the EAN to cover within the world of European Neurology? Olivier Rascol (OR): In my view, the EAN has crucial strategic and practical roles to cover in order to reinforce the knowledge of neurological disorders and improve the care of neurological patients in Europe and worldwide.