JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICALSCIENCES
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World Federation of Neurology: Information
M E E T I N G OF THE W O R L D ASSOCIATION O F N E U R O L O G I C A L COMMISSIONS (WANC) (Vienna, September 5, 1965) The meeting was called to order at 9.30 a.m. Chairman: Dr. A. Franceschetti, Secretary of the Commission of Neuro-ophthalmology and President of the WANC. Present: E. Bay (future Secretary of the Commission of Aphasiology still to be founded), D. Klein (Secretary of the Commission of Neurogenetics and SecretaryTreasurer general of the WANC), E. Frauchiger (Secretary of the Commission of Comparative Neuropathology), A. Lowenthal (Secretary of the Commission of Neurochemistry), F. Seitelberger (Secretary of the Commission of Neuropathology), J. N. Walton (Secretary of the Commission of Neuromuscular Diseases), K. J. ZiJlch (Secretary of the Commission of Neurooncology). Dr. Macdonald Critchley, President of the World Federation of Neurology, was also present at the meeting. The Chairman welcomed the members present and dealt with the items on the agenda.
Composition of the Bureau The Chairman said that the founding of the W A N C had been approved by the W F N Executive Committee during its meeting of September 4th, 1965. At the same meeting, the Executive Committee also ratified the nomination of Dr. A. Franceschetti and Dr. D. Klein as President and Secretary-Treasurer-General respectively of the WANC. The Chairman suggested that Dr. A. Lowenthal should be appointed as Liaison Officer between the different Commissions and the Bureau, and more particularly with regard to publications and information. This suggestion was unanimously approved. Dr. Macdonald Critchley, President of the WFN, and Dr. Ludo van Bogaert, Pr6sident Fondateur will be members ex-officio of the Bureau.
longer be in a position to furnish financial support to the Commissions. The Chairman therefore suggested that the Secretaries of the Commissions should send a letter to their respective members, asking them to pay a membership fee of US $1.00 per annum, on the understanding that this contribution will not be compulsory. The membership fees will be deposited in a common account to be opened in the name of the W A N C in a bank in Geneva and will be distributed according to the needs of each Commission. The Chairman recalled that at the meeting of the 12th December, 1964, Dr. van Bogaert had particularly stressed the fact that the rich Commissions should help the poorer ones. Dr. J. N. Walton proposed putting the funds he had collected - - or at least half of them - - at the disposal of the WANC-Treasury. Part of this money could eventually be used to support the Acta Neuropathologica, official organ of the Commission of Neuropathology. The Chairman thanked Dr. Walton for his generosity and hoped that this gesture would stimulate the other Commissions, and particularly the Commission of Neuropathology, to make a personal effort to collect funds.
Relation between the International Associations of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry and the Commissions of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry The Chairman suggested, in order to establish a close collaboration between these Associations and the Commissions of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, that the Secretaries of those Commissions be appointed members ex-officio of their respective Associations and that, on the other hand, the Secretaries of the Associations be members ex-officio of said Commissions.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Secretaries of the Commissions held in Antwerp, December 12, 1964 Dr. Klein read the minutes of the meeting of the Secretaries of the Commissions, held in Antwerp on December 12th, 1964, recalling the reasons why the Secretaries of the Commissions had decided to found an Association within the framework of the WFN.
Miscellaneous Dr. Lowenthal suggested publishing an information bulletin*, and he undertook to contact a representative of a publishing company to this effect. This proposal was approved and Dr. Lowenthal was empowered to take the necessary steps. The meeting adjourned at 11.30 a.m.
Membership fees As from January 1st, 1966, the W F N will no
* See this issue, p. 518
J. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522
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WFN-NEWS PROPOSED STATUTES O F THE W A N C (WORLD ASSOCIATION OF N E U R O L O G I C A L COMMISSIONS)
Article 1 Name Since the subsidies formerly granted by the "Public Health Service" (Bethesda, U.S.A.)to the Problem Commissions were discontinued, the Secretaries of these Commissions decided, at the meeting organised on December 12, 1964, in Antwerp, Belgium, to establish under the name of World Association of Neurological Commissions (WANC) an association to promote the activities of such commissions within the framework of the World Federation of Neurology. The establishment of this association was officially endorsed by the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Neurology at its meeting on September 4, 1965, in Vienna, Austria (8th International Congress of Neurology). Article 2 Scope The scope of the association is to contribute to the development of the neurological sciences, both at the clinical and scientific levels. To this end, the W A N C proposes: (a) to stimulate within such groups of specialised physicians and research workers who make up the problem commissions any initiative in promoting the maximum use of work essential to developments in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases (clinical observations, laboratory examinations, biochemical results, histological samples, twin studies, etc.); (b) to serve as a liaison body between the various problem commissions and to facilitate contact among neurologists of all countries with a view to multiplying the exchange of information and of research material; (c) to organise meetings (symposia, seminars, etc.) on subjects of present day interest proposed by the problem commissions. Article 3 Administration The administration of the Association is entrusted to an Executive Committee composed of the secretaries of the problem commissions with exclusive right to vote on matters concerning the WANC. This committee is headed by a Bureau consisting of a President and a Vice-PresidentSecretary-Treasurer general, both elected by the Committee for a term of five years and re.eligible. Should the President or the Vice-President resign, another member of the committee shall be elected for a term of five years by the secretaries of the commissions. The President and the Secretary-Treasurergeneral of the World Federation of Neurology as
well as the "President Fondateur" are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee of the WANC. Moreover, the President and the Secretary-Treasurer-general of the W A N C are present ex-officio at meetings of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Neurology to which they submit a report on the activities of their association. For the first five-year term, starting with January 1, 1966, the Headquarters of the WANC shall be at the "Institut de G6n6tique M6dicale de l'Universit6 de Gen~ve", Geneva, Switzerland. Subsequently, a decision on headquarters shall be made every five years by the Executive Committee and the newly elected Bureau. The Executive Committee of the W A N C shall meet for administrative purposes either during international congresses or upon special notice with communication of the proposed agenda. The Executive Committee shall meet in good and due form whatever the number of members present, provided the meeting has been convened at least one month before. Decisions are made by simple majority vote unless the statutes of the association are to be modified or the association dissolved (see arts. 6 and 7).
Article 4 Membership The W A N C consists of the Founding Secretaries and the Founding, Corresponding and Associate Members of the various problem commissions who all make up the active membership of the association. The Founding Secretaries of the W A N C are the secretaries of the problem commissions present or represented at the constitutional meeting of December 12, 1964, held at Antwerp, Belgium. The Active members are on the one hand the Founder members of each problem commission and on the other hand the Corresponding, Associate and new members. New membership shall include those members who, in view of the importance of their personal work, were recommended to the Secretary of the W A N C by a letter from the secretary of a problem commission. Associate members shall be recruited essentially from among young research workers outstanding in their scientific activity and likely to assure continuity of work through their dynamic attitude and team spirit. Application for membership Anyone wishing to become a member of a problem commission shall submit his application to the secretary of that problem commission. The members of the commission shall m a k e a deciJ. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522
WFN-NEWS sion on the application presented after hearing the qualifications of the applicant from the secretary. Whenever an application is agreed upon, the secretary shall inform without delay the Bureau of the W A N C and at the subsequent meeting of the problem commission, membership shall be confirmed. The procedure shall be identical for all new members. Consequently membership of one of the problem commissions and acceptance of its statutes are prerequisites to membership of the WANC. Collective members Organisations or institutions concerned with research or with social activities likely to promote the advancement of neurological sciences may be accepted as collective members provided this is agreed by the appropriate problem commission. Honorary membership The Association may confer honorary membership upon scientists who have contributed to the development of neurological sciences through their great activity or who have promoted the extension of research in neurology through a donation to the W A N C or to a problem commission. New problem commissions The establishment of new problem commissions or regional problem commissions shall follow the procedure set up in practice (see "ByeLaws").
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of each year and also of the planned distribution of new subsidies. The W A N C shall under no circumstances be held responsible for the management of any funds at the specific disposal of the secretary of each problem commission. Article 6 Modification o f Statutes Any modification of these statutes shall be proposed by a member of the Executive Committee and accepted by ~ of the members present. Article 7 Dissolution The dissolution of the W A N C can be decided only by a special meeting of the Executive Committee of the W A N C convened by its president and attended by at least ] of the members. If a quorum is not reached, the Executive Committee shall be convened again and half of the members must be present for any decision to be made. In either case, a ~ majority is required to decide on the dissolution. Dissolution shall become effective only once it is approved by the Bureau and by the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Neurology. Under the circumstances, the Executive Committee of the W A N C shall make proposals to the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Neurology as to the utilisation of possible assets of the dissolved association. Bye-Laws
Article 5 Finances The financial resources of the W A N C shall consist of an annual individual minimum subscription of $1.00 to $2.00, of contributions from each problem commission as decided by its secretary, and of subsidies and donations from governmental, non-governmental and private organisations. Subscriptions and other contributions may be deposited partly in banking institutes whenever the local legislation does not permit transfer of funds. The secretary of the local problem commission responsible for the collection and deposit of such resources shall inform every year the Secretary-Treasurer-general of the situation and may dispose of such funds only with the agreement of the Bureau. The Secretary-Treasurer-general of the W A N C shall manage all funds. Subsidies shall be distributed in agreement with the Bureau, full account being taken of the needs of each commission and of the intentions of the donors. The members of the Executive Committee shall be informed of the financial situation of the W A N C at the end
The organisation of the W A N C shall always have an international character and its activities shall expand at the world level even though the World Federation of Neurology may become decentralised. It shall maintain its relations with the International E E G Federation, the International Federation of Neuro-Surgery and any other association promoting the development of neurological sciences. Whenever the establishment of a new problem commission or of a regional problem commission is suggested, the President of the World Federation of Neurology submits the application to the Expert Committee. As soon as the latter voices its approval, the President of the World Federation of Neurology requests the promoters desiring the establishment of this group to request from all national delegates a list giving, by order of importance, the names of research workers who, in their own country, are particularly concerned with that problem. Among all the research workers proposed, the President shall select ten to fifteen whom he shall ask to meet. They will be the Founding Members J. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522
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WFN-NEWS
of this new commission, and shall appoint their Secretary. However, should he wish to do so, the President of the World Federation of Neurology may propose a secretary himself. Once established, the new problem commission
shall automatically become a member of the Association of Problem Commissions and its secretary shall be a member of the Executive Committee of the WANC.
WORLD FEDERATION OF NEUROLOGY WORLD ASSOCIATION OF N E U R O L O G I C A L COMMISSIONS (WANC) News Professor D. Klein, Secretary-Treasurer of WANC, lnstitut de G6n6tique M6dicale, H6pital Cantonal, rue Alcide Jentzer, 22 Geneva, Switzerland, reminds everyone that the W A N C Committee has decided that all members of Commissions, every founding, associate or corresponding member, will have to pay a fee of 1 or 2 dollars to the account No. 19094, Union des Banques Suisses, Geneva. Professor D. Klein announces that a meeting of all secretaries of Problem Commissions is to be held on 1 and 2 July 1966 at the Ophthalmological Clinic of the University of Geneva (administrative meeting and presentation of patients). Problem commissions Dr. J. N. Walton, Regional Neurological Centre, General Hospital, Newcastle-uponTyne 4, Great Britain, Secretary of the Problem Commission on Neuro-Muscular Diseases: (1) is trying to establish an internationally agreed classification of the neuro-muscular diseases; (2) is drawing up a list of laboratories and centres interested in neuro-muscular diseases giving detailed facilities; (3) is trying to establish a clinical and biochemical definition of the gene carriers in the Duchenne type muscular dystrophy; (4) has laid down approved principles for the evaluation of treatments used in muscular dystrophy. Announced meetings Sponsored by the WFN. Dr. A. Barbeau, Neurological Department, University of Montreal, Canada, will organize from 17 to 23 September 1967, a congress on Biochemical Neurogenetics (extrapyramidal, neuro-muscular diseases and ophthalmology). Dr. Antonio Nunes Vicente, University of Coimbra, Portugal, will organize a symposium on Lipidoses (clinical aspects, pathology and biochemistry), 12-15 July, 1967. The 2nd Pan-American Congress of Neurology will be held in Puerto Rico, in 1967. The Information Bulletin o f CIOMS, 6 rue Franklin, Paris 16e, France, announces the
following neuropsychiatric scientific conventions. In 1966: the 10th American Congress of Psychology (Lima, Peru, April); a meeting of German, Scandinavian and Swiss Neurosurgical Societies (Bad DiJrkheim, May); the World Convention of the World Federation of Mental Health (Prague, July); the yearly meeting of the European League of Mental Health (Prague, July); the 6th International Congress of Infant Psychiatry (Edinburgh, July); the 18th Congress of Psychology (Moscow, August); the 3rd International Congress of Human Genetics (Chicago, September); the 4th World Congress of Psychiatry (Madrid, September); the 19th Annual Meeting of Scandinavian Neurosurgical Societies (G6teborg, September); the French Congress of Psychiatry and Neurology (Grenoble, September); the 4th International Meeting of Neurobiologists (Stockholm, September). In 1967: the 2nd Asiatic and Oceanean Congress of Neurology (Melbourne, April); a joint Greek/British Neurological Meeting (Athens, April); the 3rd European Congress of Neurosurgery (Madrid, April) ; the 3rd European Congress of Pedopsychiatry (Wiesbaden, May) ; the 5th International Congress of Psychopathological Art (Paris, June); the 25th International Congress of Psychoanalysis (Copenhagen, July); the 7th International Congress of Psychotherapy (Wiesbaden, August); the 8th Neuroradiological Symposium (Paris, September); an American/British neurological meeting (London, September). In 1968: the 16th International Congress of Applied Psychology (Amsterdam). In 1969: the 6th International Congress of NeuroJ. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522
WFN-NEWS pathology (Copenhagen, August); the 9th International Congress of Neurology (New York, September), the 4th International Congress of Neurosurgery (New York, autumn). Previous meetings, journals, books Dr. M. Wender, President of the Neurochemistry Commission of the Polish Neurological Society, Academy of Sciences, Poznan (Poland) has organized a meeting devoted to oligophrenia and brain tumours. Dr. S. O'Reilly, Department of Neurology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, Calif. (U.S.A.) is preparing a treatise on Neurochemistry. Dr. T. L. Chrusciel, Vice-President of the Polish Pharmacological Society, Department of Pharmacology, Karl Marxstreet 38. Zabrze 8, Rokitnica (Poland) informs us that the Neuropathological Department of the Polish Science Academy of Warsaw is studying the permeability of the normal and pathological blood-brain barrier and also cerebral tumours. He also informs us of the existence of the following Polish journals: Neuropatologia Polska, Acta Histochemica Polinica and Dissertationes Pharmaceuticae et Pharmacologicae. A Symposium devoted to Amines and Schizophrenia was held in April 1965. Reports will be published by Pergamon Press (Himwich, Kety and Smythies). Professor Dr. 1. Huszak, Institute for Brain Research, University of Szeged, Hungary, announces that the Hungarian Neurological Society intends to establish a Neurochemical Section. Members' addresses and Research Projects Dr. L. A. Amaducci, Clinica delle Malattie Nervose e Mentali della Universita di Firenze, Via S. Salvi, 12, Firenze (Italy): Pathology of the TPI, cyanide intoxication and blood-brain barrier. Dr. H. Bammer, Neurologische Universit~itsKlinik und Poliklinik, Staatliches Luitpoldkrankenhaus, 8700 Wiirzburg (Germany) with Miss A. Gilles and Miss I. Lehr: Immunoelectrophoresis, determination of complements in CSF and enzymes in serum and CSF. Dr. N. Baumann, Clinique des Maladies du Syst6me Nerveux, Salp&ri&e, Paris (France) with Dr. E. Schuller: Myelin, biochemistry of the CSF. Dr. W. J. Birge, Division of Science and Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Morris, Minn. (U.S.A.): Maturation. Dr. G. H. Bourne, Director, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 (U.S.A.): Histochem-
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istry and biochemistry of taste. Dr. T. L. Chrusciel, Vice-President of the Polish Pharmacological Society, Department of Pharmacology, Karl Marxstreet 38, Zabrze 8, Rokitnica (Poland): Permeability of the normal and pathological blood-brain barrier and cerebral tumours. Dr. J. Duhault, Groupe de Recherche des Laboratoires Servier, 44, rue Cluseret, Suresnes (Seine, France): Biochemistry and electrophysiology. Dr. H. Himwich and Dr. W. Himwich, Galesburg State Research Hospital, Galesburg, Ill. (U.S.A.) withDrs. H. Tanimulai, H. Agrawal, G. Pscheidt and N. Shah: Maturation, schizophrenia and amines. Dr. H. Jatzkewitz, Biochemische Abteilung, Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fiJr Psychiatrie, Max-Planck-lnstitut, Kraepelinstrasse, 2, M/inchen 23 (Germany): Demyelinisation, lipidoses and biogenic amines. Dr. P. V. Johnston, Department of Anatomy, University College London, Gower Street, London, with Dr. B. Roots: Isolation of nerve cells for chemical analyses, lipid chemistry, electron microscopy of nervous tissue. Dr. Kolar, Universita Palackeho, Neurologicka Klinika, I.P. Pavlova 13, Olomouc (Czechoslovakia): CSF and serum in leucoencephalitis. Dr. R. Landolt, Institut fiJr Hirnforschung der Universitat Zi.irich, August Forel Strasse 1, Z~irich (Switzerland): Director of a new laboratory. Dr. J. W. Maas, Chief, Section on Psychosomatic Medicine, Adult Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md. (U.S.A.): Biochemistry relating to behavior and biochemistry of the synapse. Dr. Mogens Schou, Neurochemical and Psychopharmacological Research Unit, Aarhus University, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, Risskov (Denmark) with Drs. H. Karstoft, A. Amdisen and K. Jensen: Neurochemistry, clinical and pathological histology and pharmacology. Dr. S. Samuels, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, New York, Universit2¢ Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. (U.S.A .), head of the Neurochemical Laboratory: Lipidoses, brain oedema, amino-acidurias, Refsum disease, acetylcholine, senile dementia. Dr. V. Schenker, Biochemical Section, Psychiatry and Aging Research Laboratories, Veterans Administration Hospital, Albany, N.Y. (U.S.A.): Histochemistry. Dr. E. Thomas, Neuropathologische Abteilung, Max-Planck-lnstitut fiir Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstrasse, 46, 6 Frankfurt a.M.J. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522
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Niederrad (Germany) with Drs. G. Klinghardt and Huschke: Histochemistry, experimental neuropathology, microscopic fluorescence. Dr. G. M. Tyce, Biochemistry Department, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. (U.S.A.) with Dr. E. V. Flock: Glucose, amino-acids and serotonin after hepatectomy. Dr. M. Wolman, Department of Pathology, Tel-Aviv University Medical School and Government Hospital, Tel-Hashomer (Israel): Myelin and membranes. Professor Zulch, Max-Planck-lnstitut fiJr Hirnforschung, Abteilung fiir allgemeine Neurologic, Ostmerheimerstrasse, 200, K~51n-Merheim, is preparing the installation of a laboratory of histochemistry. Trainees and research workers wanted The Biochemical Society announces that Professor H. Mcllwain, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, London, S.E. 5, is asking for a research worker with biochemical or electrophysiologicai training required for work on metabolism, membrane
phenomena and excitation in neural systems. Dr. S. Samuels, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, New York, University Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. (U.S.A.) announces that a Post-doctoral training ill Neurochemistry is possible in his laboratory. Places in Senior Staff are available. Dr. M. Wolman, Department of Pathology, Tel-Aviv University, Medical School and Government Hospital, Tel-Hashomer (Israel), announces that two posts for foreign assistants will be open in the fall of 1966. Miscellaneous The Koch-Light Laboratories Ltd. Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire, England, Biochemical Division, sell a 'standard' for lipid examinations.
A. LOWENTHAL,M.D. Fondation Born-Bunge 59, Philippe Williotstreet Berchem-Antwerp (Belgium)
Obituaries PROFESSOR N. I. G R A S H C H E N K O V (1901-1965) Grievous news has come from the USSR of the sudden demise in his creative prime of one of the brightest representatives of Soviet neurology, Professor Nikotai Grashchenkov (Propper), Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and Member of the Medical Academy. The name of Grashcbenkov is well known to neurologists, neurophysiologists and to the organizers of health services throughout the world. Quite recently the participators of the Congresses of Neurosurgeons in Copenhagen, and of Neurologists in Vienna listened to his reports dealin0 with topical questions of neurological science; with the pathogenesis of disorders resulting from cranio-cerebral trauma: and with the problem of myasthenia. A man of great talent, he traversed a long and glorious path from being a farm-hand and afterwards a soldier of the Great October Revolution. to one of the most distinguished scientific physieiansin the country. A thorough neurological and n~arophysiologieal training received at the Clinic of Professor O.J. Rossolimo, and in the laboratories of Professor E. Adrian and J. Fulton in Cambridge and Yale respectively, together with his personal qualities, made it possible for him to become an outstanding neurologist of a wide profile. J. neurol. Sci. (1966) 3:515-522