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Membership Highlights

Not a member of AAN?

Join a group of more than 22,000 medical specialists committed to promoting the highest quality care of patients with neurological diseases. The AAN offers a variety of membership types, including membership for physicians, medical students, non-physician neurology professionals, and the AAN's esteemed fellowship status. To become an AAN member, please fill out the appropriate membership application.

Practice Highlights

The Practice section features clinical practice guidelines for both patients and clinicians, patient safety educational initiatives, information on Pay-for-Performance and Medicare's PQRI program. Look for related areas, such as coding and reimbursement, payer relations, and health information technology-and how they can impact your practice.

Education Highlights

Neurologic education is one of the AAN's core values. The AAN extends this beyond its membership to K-12 students, college students, medical students, residents, fellows, neurologists in practice and Academia, and non-neurologist physicians. The website's Education section is the place where both members and non-members can learn of the scope and breadth of neurologic education opportunities created and hosted by the AAN. This educational mission is delivered in three main venues: the Annual Meeting, regional meetings, and online.

Science Highlights

The Science section contains AAN resources relevant to the academic neurologist and to those who follow scientific developments in neurology, whether basic, translational, or purely clinical. The section contains information regarding AAN scientific awards and training grants, news and resources related to the NINDS, and information related to the AAN Science Committee and its role in planning the scientific aspects of the AAN Annual Meeting.

Advocacy Highlights

The Academy gives members the tools, training, and assistance they need to change American health policy for the better, often in collaboration with local, national, and international medical and patient organizations. Explore the Advocacy pages to find the information and resources you need to get involved today, and to offer your feedback on how the AAN can assist in your advocacy efforts.

Publications Highlights

The AAN supports neurologic research, scientific inquiry, information sharing, and quality education. For neurologists, the peer-reviewed weekly journal Neurology(R), self-study publication Continuum, and other offerings promote lifelong learning and enhanced patient care. Patients, families, and caregivers draw inspiration from the Neurology Now magazine and get facts about neurologic disorders and treatments from evidence-based guideline summaries and clearly-written education books. From the exam room to the living room, the AAN offers print and online resources for everyone.

Foundation Highlights

The American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the AAN.

Our Mission: The Foundation exists to further the goals of the American Academy of Neurology by supporting education and research in neurology, and is dedicated to improving patient care, quality of life, and public understanding of brain and other neurologic disorders.

Communities Highlights

Where you can connect with your colleagues in your subspecialty or area of interest. Each community is supported through forums where members can discuss topics most important to them, access relevant articles, and contribute to valuable community-generated resources.

Marketplace Highlights

Welcome to AAN Marketplace, your one-stop shop for tools, resources, and more. You'll find a wide selection of educational and clinical reference tools for your neurology practice in the AAN Store(TM). Search or post employment opportunities in Dendrite: Career Connections in Neurology(TM). If you are an AAN member, please check that you are logged in to take advantage of member-only discounts.

Press Room Highlights

The AAN's online press room provides assistance to the news media in understanding the latest research in neurology, as well as the role of the neurologist in providing quality patient care.

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Neuroscience Research Prize

Apply for this award

Sponsors
Objectivies
Eligibility
Judging Criteria

Purpose
Awards
Finalists

Purpose

This award was established to encourage high school students to explore the world of the brain and nervous system through laboratory research.

Objectives

To identify and reward high school students whose scientific skill and talent indicate potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience.

To recognize the efforts of science teachers who have demonstrated support for students interested in neuroscience.

Awards

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of physicians and scientists who are actively engaged in neuroscience research at academic institutions throughout the US. Four prize winners will be selected through two rounds of competition.

Four winners will each receive a $1,000 prize. Three winners and their teachers will receive an all-expense paid, five-day trip to present their work during a scientific poster session at the AAN 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii—the world’s largest gathering of neurologists. One winner and his/her teacher will receive an all-expense paid, three-day trip to present his/her work at the Child Neurology Society 40th Annual Meeting in Savannah, GA.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled in secondary school (grades 9-12) in the United States, regardless of age
Applications must represent original laboratory research as well as the original written work of the applicant
Each project should be the work of an individual student; group projects are not eligible (teachers are encouraged to provide guidance as needed, but must allow each student to demonstrate his/her own creativity)
Family members of the judges, the AAN Science Committee, or AAN staff are not eligible to apply

Judging Criteria

All project entries received by the deadline date will be judged by physician and scientist members of the American Academy of Neurology based on the following criteria:

Relevance to Neuroscience

The problem being investigated concerns the brain or the nervous system including, but not limited to: anatomy, physiology, pathology, function, and behavior. Behavior and psychology projects are not encouraged unless there is a clear link to neurophysiology.

Creativity

Creativity will be based on the originality of the problem solving approach, even if the specific problem being addressed is not a new or unusual one.

Interpretation of Data

The scope of the hypothesis and methodology is feasible. The potential significance of the experiments is placed in the proper perspective. Potential pitfalls of the methodology or interpretation have been addressed.

Research Reports

The report is organized, well-written, and the accompanying figures and tables are clearly labeled and readable.

Communication Skills

The student is able to discuss the project and defend the stated conclusions effectively in an oral interview.

Finalists

The ten finalists will have the opportunity to discuss their project through telephone interviews with at least two judges. The winners will be selected based on overall written and verbal performance.

Deadline

The 2011 awards deadline is November 1, 2010.

For more information, please contact Erin Jackson at ejackson@aan.com or (651) 695-2704.