American Academy of Neurology Blog Articles

Science: Michael Aminoff Discusses Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Michael J. Aminoff, MD, DSc, FRCP, FAAN, talks about his recently published paper on safety and tolerability of putaminal AADC gene therapy for Parkinson's disease

Science: Raymund A.C. Roos and N. Ahmad Aziz Discuss HTT

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:13:00 GMT

Raymund A.C. Roos, MD, PhD (Leiden), and N. Ahmad Aziz, MSc, medical student, discuss their research on the Huntington Disease Gene (HTT), which was recently published in Neurology

Science: Emad Farag Discusses Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Implantation for Parkinson's Disease

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

Emad S. Farag, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at UCLA, discusses his paper, "Pathologic findings in retinal pigment epithelial cell implantation for Parkinson disease"

Science: Caterina Mainero Talks About Cortical Pathology in Multiple Sclerosis

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:04:00 GMT

Caterina Mainero, MD, PhD, discusses her paper, "In vivo imaging of cortical pathology in multiple sclerosis using ultra-high field MRI"

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: House Bill Moves Forward, Academy Focuses on Senate

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Over the weekend, the US House passed a comprehensive health care reform bill. Of particular interest to the Academy was the elimination of the SGR formula calling for annual physician cuts in Medicare. Unfortunately, the SGR fix was taken out of the bill due to its $210 billion price tag.

Science: Ergun Uc on Cognitive Impairment in Early Parkinson's Disease

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:46:00 GMT

Ergun Y. Uc, MD, is the first author of a publication from the Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy of Parkinsonism (DATATOP) cohort in the November 3, 2009, issue of Neurology (2009;73:1469-1477), entitled "Incidence of and risk factors for cognitive impairment in an early Parkinson disease clinical trial cohort." Uc is Associate Professor of Neurology at the Department of Neurology of the University of Iowa and at the Neurology Service of the VA Medical Center of Iowa City.

Science: Joachim Gerber Discusses Neurogenesis in Adults

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:08:00 GMT

Joachim Gerber, MD, discusses his team's use of immunohistochemical methods to study neurogenesis in brain sections of patients who underwent autopsy subsequent to bacterial meningitis, stroke, or brain trauma.

Education: How to Make a Better Presentation: 24 Mistakes to Avoid

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:46:00 GMT

By Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN - When you are called on to speak at a course given by the AAN or another organization, the audience has an opportunity to evaluate your content, your slides, your syllabus, and your presentation.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Doc Fix Fails in Senate...Smoke and Mirrors?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:58:00 GMT

For the first time since the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula started calling for cuts in physician payments, the US Senate took a vote that would have led to the elimination of the SGR. Unfortunately, the 47-53 procedural

Science: AAN.com Talks with CDC Neuroepidemiologist James J. Sejvar About Influenza Monitoring

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Over one million people in the US have been infected with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. James J. Sejvar, MD, CDC neuroepidemiologist, discusses the neurologic implications

Practice: Q&A: Robert G. Miller Discusses New ALS Guidelines

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:59:00 GMT

Two new AAN guidelines—"The Care of the Patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Drug, Nutritional, and Respiratory Therapies (an evidence-based review)," and "The Care of the Patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Multidisciplinary Care, Symptom Management, and Cognitive/Behavioral Impairment (an evidence-based review)"—were published in the October 13, 2009, issue of Neurology® (2009; 73:1218-1233). AAN.com asked Robert G. Miller, MD, FAAN, to discuss how the guidelines were developed. He spoke with AAN.com Practice & Technology Editor, Neil A. Busis, MD, FAAN.

Education: How Much Knowledge Does a Neurologist Need?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:34:00 GMT

Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN, describes a method for evaluating your knowledge base, and gives 12 steps for acquiring "just-in-time" knowledge for practicing neurologists.

Practice: Capitol Hill Report: Neurology Amendment Ready for House Health Reform Debate

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:47:00 GMT

After seven days of deliberations last week, the Senate Finance Committee wrapped up consideration of more than 500 amendments on a health reform measure. The Senate legislation is unlikely to draw support from any physician specialties.

Science: AAN.com Talks with Edward Murphy and Hope Biswas About the Neurologic Features of HTLV Infection

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:24:00 GMT

Edward Murphy, MD, MPH, and Hope Biswas, ScM, discuss their recent paper, "Neurologic abnormalities in HTLV-I– and HTLV-II–infected individuals without overt myelopathy."

Advocacy: Epilepsy Care by Rail

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:12:00 GMT

By Mamta Bhushan Singh, MBBS, MD, DM - "The Lifeline Express," India's only train-hospital, helps bring health care to the country's rural population. Singh, a Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum graduate, describes how

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Senate Finance Bill - No Permanent SGR Fix, No Bonuses Yet for Neurology

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:29:00 GMT

After months of wrangling, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) finally released a health reform draft last week. The bill lacks many of the solutions physicians, including neurologists, have been seeking to improve the

Practice: Evaluation of the Child with Microcephaly

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:28:00 GMT

A new AAN guideline, "Practice Parameter: Evaluation of the Child with Microcephaly (an evidence-based review)," has been published. The lead authors, Stephen Ashwal and David Michelson, discuss how the guideline was developed.

Practice: The Perils of Being An Expert Witness

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:56:00 GMT

By Donna Vanderpool, MBA, JD - Courts, government agencies, and professional organizations are demonstrating an increasing interest in holding physicians accountable for expert witness testimony. This article provides an overview of three categories

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Congress Returns - Health Care Still Top Priority

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT

The health care reform debate heated up over the August recess as members of Congress across the country heard both support and protests from constituents about the House bill HR 3200. Media reports

Advocacy: Debunking Death Panels: End of Life Counseling

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:26:00 GMT

By Glen R. Finney, MD - There has been much discussion about provisions in the House Tri-Committee Bill on Health Care Reform (HR 3200). Concern has been raised about potential "death panels" in the bill.

Advocacy: AAN.com Advocacy Editor

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:21:00 GMT

Making advocacy indispensable to our members isn't so simple: To begin with, it's not always clear what advocacy actually means.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Sending an Email to Congress - Is It Worth It?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:58:00 GMT

Academy legislative counsel Mike Amery describes what happens when a constituent writes a letter to Congress. Contact your representatives with the Academy's Vocus service.

Science: AAN.com Speaks with Jose Luchsinger About Mild Cognitive Impairment

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:59:00 GMT

Jose A. Luchsinger, MD, MPH, discusses his paper, "Subcortical cerebrovascular disease in mild cognitive impairment" with AAN.com Science editor, Jose G. Merino, MD, MPhil.

Education: AAN.com Talks to Fraser Moore About the Essential Neurologic Examination

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:11:00 GMT

Fraser G.A. Moore, MD, FRCPC, discusses a recent study on the problem of the essential neurologic examination. A co-author of the published results, Moore describes his recommendations for teaching medical students about the neurologic examination.

Science: AAN.com Science Editor

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:24:00 GMT

These are exciting times to be a neurologist. Research discoveries in the past two decades have changed the way we practice neurology. Advances in molecular biology and genomics allow us to classify

Education: AAN.com Talks to Steven Ringel About Teaching Rounds and Change

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:19:00 GMT

"Neurology, along with almost every other medical specialty, has failed to provide trainees with probability and cost-effectiveness data."

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Debate Moves to the States as Health Reform Waits Until September

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:36:00 GMT

US House and Senate Committees continue to work on wide ranging health reform bills. Just before recessing until September, the House Energy & Commerce Committee wrapped up a bill that will have to be combined with measures passed

Coding & Reimbursement: Changes to ICD-9-CM Announced

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:58:00 GMT

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published the annual Addenda to ICD-9-CM. These diagnosis-coding changes will become effective on October 1, 2009. The Coding Subcommittee of the Medical Economics and Management Committee

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: No Health Reform Votes Before Fall

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:44:00 GMT

Health Reform is grinding to a halt in both the House and Senate as Congress approaches its scheduled August recess. As of this writing, the House bill "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" remains in limbo.

Advocacy: Improving Stroke Care in Sri Lanka

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:51:00 GMT

By Tissa Wijeratne, MD, FRACP - Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing about five million deaths each year. A high incidence of strokes and stroke-related deaths occur in the developing world, including Sri Lanka,

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Health Debate Starts in the House; Delayed in the Senate

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:33:00 GMT

By Mike Amery - House Democrats are pushing for health care reform, the President wants a bill by the August recess, and the Sen. Finance Committee is trying to put a bipartisan deal together but keeps pushing the deadline back.

Patient Safety: Two Internet Drug Safety Sites Your Patients Should Know

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:15:00 GMT

By Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN - Medication safety is a serious issue in the United States. Neurologists may find it useful to refer patients to MedNotes or iGuard, two free Internet drug safety sites,

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Anxiously Awaiting a Bill

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:19:00 GMT

Mike Amery describes a conversation with Chris Dawe, the majority staff member of the Senate Finance Committee responsible for physician issues, and gives a progress report on the debate over health reform bills in the House and Senate.

Public & Private Payer Relations: Reorganizing Care: Workers' Compensation

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:51:00 GMT

By Gary M. Franklin, MD, MPH - A 2002 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), identified the most serious quality problems facing the United States' health care system. This report focused on the quality side of the value equation. The US is spending

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Health Care Reform - Focusing on the Patient

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:01:00 GMT

Congress was in recess last week, but the health care train continues to move forward. As reported last week, the Academy commented on the House Tri-Committee draft bill.

Patient Safety: Libby Zion's Lesson: Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:47:00 GMT

By Laurence Kinsella, MD, FAAN - The lesson to be learned from Libby Zion's death is that drug-drug interactions (DDI) and adverse drug events (ADE) are under-recognized, and many are unaware

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Blue Dog Card Game

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:38:00 GMT

By Mike Amery - With the release of the Tri-Committee health care plan, even without cost details, the health care debate moved to the House last week.

Coding & Reimbursement: How the Academy Participates in the CPT Process

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:04:00 GMT

By Marc R. Nuwer, MD, PhD, FAAN - The Academy participates in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) process by submitting new codes and changes to existing codes, and by commenting on code changes proposed by other societies.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: A Billion Here, A Billion There . . .

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:50:00 GMT

The Academy's legislative counsel, Mike Amery, discusses Congressional activity following President Obama's speech last week to the AMA.

Quality Initiatives : Waste Not, Want Not: A Vision for Health Care in America

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:52:00 GMT

By Rita M. Richardson, MD - The NQF recently held a conference, "Waste Not, Want Not: The Right Care for Every Patient,"

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: The Public Plan Food Fight

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:05:00 GMT

The "Public Plan" represents a line in the sand for health care legislation. Will the federal government initiate an insurance option to compete against private insurance health care plans? The rhetoric got louder this week

Education: AAN.com Speaks with Dr. Scherokman About New Internal Medicine Curriculum

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:08:00 GMT

Barbara Scherokman, MD, FAAN, FACP, discusses the new online curriculum, "Approach to Common Neurological Symptoms in Internal Medicine," now available on AAN.com

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Supporting Headache Research

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:38:00 GMT

Although the broad topic of Health Care Reform leads the headlines, Congress is still working on several other issues, including the 13 annual Appropriations bills required to

Education: AAN.com Talks to Aaron Miller about Continuum

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:18:00 GMT

Aaron E. Miller, MD, FAAN, discusses the publication process and philosophy behind Continuum, the premier neurology CME publication in the world.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: End of the First Half

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:36:00 GMT

With the end of May, Congress is nearing the midpoint of the legislative year and was on recess last week. I continued to meet with staff from key committees this week to discuss the Academy's goals for health reform.

Quality Initiatives : Let Us Be Part of a Culture of Health Care Quality Improvement

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:13:00 GMT

By David Z. Wang, DO, FAHA - Under new national interest in health care reform, the AMA-convened PCPI held a meeting in Chicago in March 2009. The conference's theme was to "Mobilize a Culture of Quality Improvement."

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: A Crumbling Foundation

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:08:00 GMT

The health care divide between Democrats and Republicans continues to center on whether a public plan option for insurance will be offered. I met with several members of Congress this week - the battle lines were clearly drawn.

Education: AAN.com Talks to Dr. Elkind About Teaching the Next Generation of Neurologists

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:07:00 GMT

Mitchell S. V. Elkind, MD, MS, FAAN, is Associate Professor of Neurology at Columbia University, where he is a past director of the neurology residency program. In February, Elkind's paper,

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Senate Finance Committee Weighs Options for Health Care Reform

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:18:00 GMT

Last Friday the Committee took comments on a paper it released, "Transforming the Health Care Delivery System: Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Health Care Costs." The Academy's Health Reform Task Force worked to submit comments

ICD-9, CPT & E/M Coding : ICD-10-CM To Be Implemented in 2013: What You Need To Do Now

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:51:00 GMT

On January 16, 2009, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Final Rule announcing that ICD-10-CM (diagnosis coding) and ICD-10-PCS (procedure coding for hospital use only)

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: So What's Going On? Or, How Do I Find $311 Billion?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT

"So what's going on, what are we doing?" This was the question (a joke?) House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) asked earlier this week when ...

Education: Education Highlights from Neurology

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN, discusses articles relevant to education in the journal Neurology ...

Practice: AAN.com Talks with Cynthia Harden About New Guidelines for Women with Epilepsy

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:41:00 GMT

Three updated Practice Parameters address issues of concern to women with epilepsy who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. AAN.com asked Cynthia L. Harden, MD, the lead author of these Practice Parameters, to discuss the updates by the Quality Standards Subcommittee and

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Congressmen Request Specifics on Proposals

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:49:00 GMT

The purpose of the discussion was to lay out some proposals that all of the specialties could agree on. We focused on support of innovative payment reforms as long as they are sufficiently tested before being put into wide use, relaxing antitrust rules, and liability reform.

Advocacy News -- Members Only: Bruce Sigsbee and Michael Amery Discuss Sigsbee's Landmark Testimony Before Congress

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:27:00 GMT

On Thursday, April 2, AAN Treasurer and President-Elect Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, testified before the US House of Representatives on behalf of the Academy during the hearing "Making Health Care Work for American Families: Saving Money, Saving Lives."

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Would You Like to Meet Your Member of Congress?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:11:00 GMT

The best time to make your voice heard with members of Congress is now, during recess, when members have returned to their districts. Use Vocus to contact your representatives in the House and Senate and advocate for Academy initiatives in neurology.

Education: AAN.com Speaks to Sung Bae Lee About the Consortium of Neurology Residents and Fellows

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Of the AAN's 3,800 junior members, only a small fraction attend the Annual Meeting each year. Sung Bae Lee, MD, discussions how the CNRF is working to expand Residents and Fellows activities beyond the Annual Meeting.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Congressional Testimony: What's It All About?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:49:00 GMT

What happens when you receive an invitation to testify before the US House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee?

ICD-9, CPT & E/M Coding : An Overview of the ICD-9-CM Process

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:51:00 GMT

By Laura B. Powers, MD, FAAN - The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), is the...

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: A Meeting with the Referee

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:04:00 GMT

Academy Board member Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, will testify at the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee this Thursday, which I mentioned last week. Sigsbee will speak about his experience as a practicing neurologist and describe

Advocacy: Why Isn't 'Alice' in 'Wonderland,' and Can We Help Her Find It?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:09:00 GMT

By Richard S. Bedlack, MD, PhD - ALS is perhaps the most devastating of all diseases, causing rapid and progressive loss of speech. Despite 130 years of research, ALS remains incurable.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Influencing the Process

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:35:00 GMT

Slated to become the Academy's President-elect at the Annual Meeting in Seattle, Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, joined Mike Amery on Capitol Hill this week to help prepare arguments for the Academy's position on health care reform for

Medicare & Regulatory Issues: All About CMS' Carrier Advisory Committees

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Saty Satya-Murti, MD, FAAN, answers questions about the role of CACs in setting policies and establishing standards of patient care...

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Big Week Leading Up to Neurology on the Hill

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:07:00 GMT

Last week was hearing week on the Hill with several committees considering health care reform. The Senate Finance Committee met Thursday on Workforce Issues. In his opening remarks,

BRAINS: Practice Managers: Now More Than Ever You Should Join the AAN and BRAINS!

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:49:00 GMT

By Bryan Soronson, MPA, FACMPE, CRA - During the current financial crisis, managing a neurology practice has become increasingly challenging. Every day, practice managers face declining reimbursement,

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Heath Care Reform, Brad Pitt, and Wine

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:16:00 GMT

President Obama held a "Health Summit" on Thursday, March 5, bringing many key industries, advocates, and members of Congress to the White House to start discussions on health care reform.

Practice: Practice Management and Technology Subcommittee: Dedicated to Assisting Members

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:24:00 GMT

By Gregory J. Esper, MD - PM&T takes a broad approach to helping Academy members keep up-to-date with new government and private sector developments in practice management and technology.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Obama Releases 2010 Budget

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:38:00 GMT

President Obama outlined his 2010 budget Thursday morning. The document recognizes the impending crisis physicians are facing with a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement looming

Practice: Evidence-based Medicine and AAN Guidelines

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:57:00 GMT

By Janis M. Miyasaki, MD, MEd, FRCPC - Few words generate as much controversy and confusion as "evidence-based medicine." For some, the term implies that medicine before the 1980s

Advocacy: Appreciate the Challenges, Advocate for What's Important

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:14:00 GMT

In 2008, I took a sabbatical from my practice for a year to do the Kenneth Viste Public Policy Fellowship, sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, and the Child Neurology Society. As I reflect back on that time, I remember how exciting it was to be in the midst of negotiations on a bill one day, and then read about it in the Washington Post the next day. It was amazing to be able to walk through the Capitol building or to go into the Senate gallery and watch debates.

Home: 2009 Report from Website Editor-in-Chief

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:12:00 GMT

AAN.com is now a teenager: it's been 13 years since the launch of the first AAN.com in 1996. News delivery has come a long way, and so has AAN.com.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: A Monumental Time for Patient Care

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:23:00 GMT

The Academy's Health Reform Task Force has been working proactively to prepare for health care reform. Academy staff recently met with several patient advocacy groups to talk about common goals for reform. Everyone at the table agreed that protecting access to neurologists is critical to patient care.

Advocacy: 2009 Update: Advocacy on AAN.com

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Regardless of your politics, there is hope that the cyanotic American health care system may get some CPR with the start of the 111th Congress and the beginning of a new Presidential term.

Capitol Hill Report: Capitol Hill Report: Active First Month for New President, Congress

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:22:00 GMT

With the beginning of the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress, the Academy has set forth a list of legislative action items, including physician reimbursement, NIH funding, and other proposals.

Science: 2009 Update: Science on AAN.com

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:05:00 GMT

The Science pages of AAN.com allow neurologists to follow basic, translational, and clinical scientific developments. The site includes daily breaking news stories of neurologic interest on the home page of AAN.com as well as short editorials

Practice: January 2009 Update: Practice and Technology on AAN.com

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:58:00 GMT

The AAN's vision is "to be indispensable to our members." The Practice and Technology section of AAN.com is strongly committed to doing our part in achieving the goals and following the standards set forth in our mission statement.

Science: Neurology Articles to Require Level of Evidence (LOE) Classification

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:20:00 GMT

As of January 15, all Neurology articles dealing with therapeutic intervention will include level of evidence (LOE) classification. AAN.com asked Robert A. Gross, MD, PhD, FAAN, Deputy Editor of Neurology, to comment on this new initiative.

Education: January 2009 Update: Education on AAN.com

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:42:00 GMT

By Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN - As we enter 2009, it is a pleasure to look back at the activities of the Education Section of AAN.com.

Practice: Coding Subcommittee of MEM: Our Activities and Accomplishments

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:36:00 GMT

By Peter D. Donofrio, MD, FAAN - The Coding Subcommittee of the Medical Economics and Management Committee focuses on three areas

Education: A Tour of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 GMT

AAN.com visited the Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library. Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN, talked about the site with Eric R. Eggenberger, DO, FAAN, at Michigan State University.

Education: Choosing Courses for the Annual Meeting Education Program

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:21:00 GMT

Ralph F. Józefowicz, MD, FAAN, chair of the Education Committee and Annual Meeting Subcommittee, speaks with AAN.com about selecting Annual Meeting Education Program courses.

Practice: Multimodal Monitoring and Neurocritical Care Bioinformatics: The Dawn of a New Age

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:43:00 GMT

By J. Claude Hemphill III, MD, MAS and Michael De Georgia, MD - Neurocritical Care is a growth industry. New approaches to treating stroke, head and spinal cord trauma, global cerebral ischemia after cardiac arrest, and status epilepticus

Education: Neurology Education in an Online World

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:15:00 GMT

Current neurology residents and fellows can no longer remember a time in their training without access to the Internet.

Advocacy: Pleading the Cause

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:56:00 GMT

By Daniel C. Potts, MD - Lester Potts was transformed from a rural Alabama lumberman to a watercolor artist when he participated in art therapy at a dementia daycare center.

Practice: E-Readers For Neurologists

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:52:00 GMT

By Saty Satya-Murti, MD - For several years, we physicians have been bombarded with information aimed at moving to a paperless office. What about moving to a paperless library? Recently introduced technology is making this a viable option.

Advocacy: Help Haitian Health: Adopt a Soccer Team

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:58:00 GMT

Anthony G. Alessi, MD, FAAN, describes his work in Haiti as a participant in the AAN's Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.

Practice: Advances in Technology Increase Telestroke's Viability

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:32:00 GMT

By Lawrence R. Wechsler, MD - Telestroke offers an alternative source for emergent evaluation in the emergency department by a vascular neurologist.

Payment Policy & Decision Making: Payment Policy Subcommittee Seeks Collaborative Working Relationships with Health Plans

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:36:00 GMT

By Joel Kaufman, MD, FAAN - The mission of the Payment Policy Subcommittee of the Medical Economics and Management Committee (MEM) is to foster positive relationships with the health insurance industry in working together toward health care solutions, and to establish itself as a primary point of contact for members and payers seeking policy definition and development.

Practice: The Medical Economics and Management Committee Is Working for You

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:32:00 GMT

By Laura B. Powers, MD, FAAN - In our current difficult economic climate, the Medical Economics and Management Committee (MEM) is working hard to ensure the financial viability of neurology practices.

Science: NINDS and AAN.com Launch Internet Collaboration

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:03:00 GMT

By Walter Koroshetz, MD, FAAN, and Orly Avitzur, MD, FAAN - A new dimension is emerging in the long collaboration between the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the American Academy of Neurology.

Coding & Reimbursement: ICD-10-CM/PCS: The Good News, the Bad News, and Potentially No News

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:11:00 GMT

By Laura B. Powers, MD, FAAN - Our current diagnosis coding system, ICD-9-CM, is out of date. Accommodation for new classifications results in limited and scattered entries. Is it time for the United States to start using ICD-10?

Review and Editorials: Emerging Pathogenesis of Essential Tremor

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:03:00 GMT

By Holly Shill, MD - Over the last two years investigators have begun to elucidate the neuropathological findings in the essential tremor brain.

Advocacy: MS Insurance Advisory Committee: Washington State Neurologists Demonstrate Advocacy in Action

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:00 GMT

When insurance companies attempt to cut costs and restrict access to care, people with multiple sclerosis often become neurologists' most vulnerable patients. Treating MS is very expensive. MS patients and their physicians in Washington State now have a resource that can help.

Education: Finding Neuroimages on the Internet

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:31:00 GMT

Whether they take the form of CT, PET, or MRI scans, gross pathologic images, microscopic images, or patient videos, neuroimages are critical to neurologic education and research. This article presents a number of neurology-related websites featuring high-volume, high-quality image resources.

Education: AAN.com Talks with Barney Stern About Neurology Education Research

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Barney Stern, MD, FAAN, is Chair of the Education Research Subcommittee of the AAN. AAN.com met with Dr. Stern to find out more about the activities of this subcommittee. He spoke with AAN.com Education Editor Daniel B. Hier, MD, MBA, FAAN.

Review and Editorials: FAST Enough for Intracerebral Hemorrhage?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:55:00 GMT

The results of the FAST (Factor Seven for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke) trial, published in the May 15, 2008, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), reaffirmed previous studies' findings that rFVIIa decreases hematoma expansion, but in this phase III study there was no effect on mortality or functional outcome. rFVIIa treatment was associated with an increase in thromboembolic events, principally subendocardial myocardial infarctions. FAST raises several important issues for future clinical trials for this devastating condition.

Practice: Effective Neurology Presentations

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:21:00 GMT

Behind every successful neurology presentation lies solid research, thoughtful preparation . . . and well designed visual materials. Grabbing the audience's attention with color, contrast, and good layout enhances the effect of your presentation. Your research might be compelling and your presence at the podium might be engaging, but poor visuals can turn off your audience in a matter of moments. Learn how to create effective presentations for your next conference or professional meeting.

Practice: Health 2.0 for Neurologists

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Health 2.0 is a term that describes health resources on the web that get more robust as more people use the resources and add more information. These resources include discussions in disease-based websites, narratives written by a community in the manner of Wikipedia, and community-maintained databases from which one can get advice on making a diagnosis. Health 2.0 resources offer the prospect of combining physician and patient knowledge in ways that add much to physician experience and patient knowledge.

Members Speak Out: Is It Time for AAN to Adopt a Healthcare Reform Platform?

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:36:00 GMT

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently adopted seven key principles related to national health care reform. These principles, although created with MS and other chronic illnesses in mind, could potentially serve as a basis for a broader national health care reform platform. The American Academy of Neurology could learn from these other organizations and adopt a comprehensive platform need for health care reform.

Practice: Remote Consultation Offers a Valuable Alternative to Face-to-Face Medical Treatment

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Standard face-to-face delivery of medical care provides the best means of evaluation and treatment, though there are times when this type of interaction may not be necessary or possible. In these circumstances, remote consultation can be a valuable alternative.

Members Speak Out: Researchers for the Future: Flexible Neurology Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:37:00 GMT

Encouraging the long-term career development of neurology residents interested in disease-based research will promote the cultivation of neurology research leaders for the future. The Neurology Flexible Residency has been designed to improve "the pipeline" of neurologic disease-based physician scientists by offering research experience for neurology residents in laboratory or clinical science research. This article discusses the early experience with the Neurology Flexible Residency at UCSF.

Members Speak Out: Open Is Not Free: NIH Public Access Policy in the Spotlight

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:42:00 GMT

On April 7, 2008, NIH will mandate that all peer-reviewed publications arising from federally funded research be deposited into PubMed Central within one year of publication. The move toward online access of published medical literature produces some significant dilemmas. This article includes dissection of potential ramifications of the NIH policy, and a Q & A with Neurology Editor-in-Chief Dr. John Noseworthy.

Members Speak Out: Risks to Neurologists in Using Animals for Their Research

webmaster@aan.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:43:00 GMT

Two recent articles in major publications focus on the difficulties and risks involved in carrying on necessary neurologic research.