Best Post of June 2019: American Association of Neuropathologists annual meeting gets underway

The next in our "Best of the Month" series is from Wednesday, June 5, 2019:

I arrived in Atlanta this afternoon in anticipation of tomorrow's kick-off of the American Association of Neuropathologists annual meeting. I've already run into a number of neuropathologists from around the country, including: Howard Chang, William Taylor, Eddie Lee, Beatriz Lopes, Roberta Seidman, Doug Miller, Mary Fowkes, Clare Bryce, Ray Sobel, Tessa Hedley-White, and Leroy Sharer. Looking forward to a great meeting!

I caught up with the inimitable Dr. Leroy Sharer (right) while checking in for the meeting

Guest Post from Dr. Eddie Lee: "AANP Scholars" Program Initiated

This just in from the inimitable Dr. Eddie Lee of the University of Pennsylvania:

Edward Lee, MD, PhD

“There is a recognized national need for more research-oriented neurodegenerative disease neuropathologists. Towards that end, the American Association of Neuropathologists was awarded a grant from the NIA/NIH that will provide funds for 20 “AANP Scholars” to attend a trainee career development workshop (co-directed by Drs. Eddie Lee and Julia Kofler).  The workshop will be held once a year for three consecutive years in association with the annual AANP meeting.  This is a great opportunity for any trainee interested in neurodegenerative disease neuropathology.  The grant will support AANP Scholars by providing funds for travel, hotel, and registration to the annual AANP meeting.  Applications are due November 1^st.  Women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disability are particularly encouraged to apply.” Here's the link to apply.

Cytoplasmic bodies in a muscle biopsy

The inimitable Dr. Christian Davidson, formerly of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers and now at the University of Utah, sent in pictures of cytoplasmic bodies in a muscle biopsy from a patient with severe myositis. Thank you, Dr. Davidson!

Trichrome

Electron Microscopy

A new neuroscience educational channel debuts on YouTube

Phedias Diamandis

Dr. Phedias Diamandis of the University of Toronto shared with me a new YouTube channel -- called NeuroscIQ --  which he and his colleagues have developed. This neuroscience educational initiative, according to Dr. Diamandis, is designed "to discuss relevant everyday neuroscience theory and pathways for early trainees". Right now, there is some neuropathology on the channel, but there's more to come. This channel adds to the excellent neuroscience and neuropathology content that is now on YouTube. We are approaching a day when live lectures to our residents and medical students will become an anachronism. Why not let trainees watch these excellent online presentations before meeting, and then spend your time together interactively discussing the material presented on YouTube? Thank you, Dr, Diamandis!

Edward Stopa, long-time neuropathologist at Brown University, passes away

Edward Stopa, MD, 65, after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He touched many lives and served as mentor to many in neuropathology, including me. Since 1993, Ed was the director of neuropathology at Brown and led the division until his retirement earlier this year. I was a neuropathology fellow under his directorship from 2004-06 and fondly remember his sense of humor, curiosity, and joie de vivre.

Ed made many strides in the understanding of Alzheimer disease through close collaborations with basic and clinical neuroscientists. He contributed extensively to our knowledge of the hypothalamic mechanisms that are responsible for human reproduction and circadian rhythm.

We will miss you, Ed.

Best Post of May 2019: Helpful Glossary of Pathology Terms

The next in our "Best of the Month" series is from May 9, 2019: