Current Issue

An Open Letter to All Member Societies of the WFN 

At this time of what we all hope is the peaking of the COVID-19 crisis, I write to assure you that the WFN remains functioning normally with none of the trustees, staff, or executives physically affected. We trust that this continues and ask that if any member society is affected adversely in any way that they think we should be aware of, or that we might be able to assist, then please contact the London Office. 

President's Column

2020 WFN Status Report: Where Are We? 

Following the end of 2019, highlighted by the successful World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in Dubai and a productive two-day strategy meeting just completed in mid-January in London, it seems appropriate to review where the WFN now stands as we move into 2020.

WHO Geneva Adopts Key Decision 

The World Federation of Neurology successfully supported the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in the adoption of a decision by the WHO Executive Board in relation to epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Support for the draft decision proposed by the Russian Federation and co-sponsored by China, Guyana, and many other member states, including the European Union, was overwhelming. 

Norwegian Brain Council Targets Brain Health

The Norwegian Brain Council (NBC), established in 2007, has been a pioneer in combining health worker organizations, patients, and research. The council is recognized nationally and seen as a key contributor to the Norwegian health system.

From the Editors

From the Editors

We would like to welcome all neurologists from around the globe to this issue of World Neurology. First, we would like to wish you, your families, and your patients all the very best of health and safety in this time of the global pandemic.

Book Review: Queen Square: A History of the National Hospital and Its Institute of Neurology

Like most neurologists, I had always known about Queen Square as a mecca for neurology, and I got the opportunity to see it in action when I did a fellowship in London 1975-1976 with David Marsden.

Clinical Diagnosis of Brain Death and Neurosonology

The Neurosonology Specialty Group (NSG) of the WFN, formerly known as Neurosonology Applied Research Group, is dedicated to the promotion of science and research as well as of education and training in the field of ultrasonic techniques and its clinical utilization. Therefore, international cooperation and the dissemination of scientific information within the field of neurosonology is part of NSG WFN activities.

History

Plica Polonica Through the Centuries the Most “Horrible, Incurable, and Unsightly”

Plica polonica is an endemic disease of Poland, Tartary, and neighboring countries. It begins with a long-lasting nervous-rheumatic ailment and progresses to the formation of uncombed and filthy hair plaits in hairy parts of the body, especially the head,” wrote Joseph Frank (1771-1842), professor of clinical medicine at Vilnius University, in his textbook Praxeos medicae universae praecepta in 1815.

Call for Nominations for Elected Trustee 2020

On behalf of the World Federation of Neurology, the Nominating Committee invites nominations for the position of Elected Trustee for a three-year period. A nominee should be a member of a financial WFN member society, have a national and international reputation, made contributions to neurology, and contributed and committed to the WFN.

Department Visit

WFN and the Austrian Neurological Society

I was delighted when I was accepted for the WFN travel fellowship to Christian Doppler Clinic (CDK) at the Salzburg University teaching hospital in Austria. My gratitude goes to the World Federation of Neurology, the Austrian Neurology Society (OEGN) as well as Prof. Alfred K. Njamnshi, my head of internship program in Cameroon, and Prof. Eugen Trinka for facilitating this fellowship.

Department Visit

Montreal Neurological Institute, Canada

I am a resident of neurology at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. I had the privilege to be selected for the WFN Department Visit Program 2019 in Canada. I did an observership for a month in the Montreal Neurological Institute. There, I chose to be in the two services that interest me the most as a training neurologist: epilepsy and neuromuscular.

Editor’s Update: Journal of the Neurological Sciences

The Journal of the Neurological Sciences is publishing a series of articles in a two-part Special Issue on “Addiction Medicine.” The editor for this Special Issue is Dr. Mark S. Gold, a world-renowned psychiatrist and addiction medicine expert.

Women And Neurology: A Special Session of the Turkish Annual Neurology Congress

Traditional “In The Region” sessions during the annual neurology congresses have focused on a variety of subjects for more than 10 years. Many of the subjects have been explored with the contributions of delegates from countries that are in collaboration with the Turkish Neurological Society during The Turkish Annual Neurology Congress. “Women and Neurology” was the focus for this year.

Department Visit

Frankfurt, Germany

Thanks to the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) for the German department visit grant, I have spent four weeks in the department of Prof. Helmuth Steinmetz in the Goethe University Johan Wolfgang Hospital in Frankfurt.

World Stroke Day Celebration

It is always a Herculean task to educate the illiterate in large numbers with limited resources in the biggest and most prestigious government medical college institution of the state like ours. Two posters on World Stroke Day were released by Hon. Chief Minister of Rajasthan State Shri Ashok Gehlot.