American Academy of Neurology

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is a professional society representing over 40,000 neurologists and neuroscientists.^[1] As a medical specialty society it was established in 1948 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best possible care for patients with neurological disorders. It is headquartered in Minneapolis and maintains a health policy office in Washington, D.C.

American Academy of Neurology

American Academy of Neurology

Abbreviation	AAN
Formation	1948; 77 years ago (1948)
Type	Learned society and professional association
Headquarters	Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Location	201 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Official language	English
President	Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN
President Elect	Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAHA, FAAN
CEO	Mary E. Post, MBA, CEA
Website	www.aan.com

In April 2012, the academy relocated its headquarters to a new 63,000-square-foot building in downtown Minneapolis.^[2] The five-story facility cost $20 million to build.^[2]

Activities

Annual meeting

The annual meeting of the AAN is attended by more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscientists from the US and abroad. The American Academy of Neurology has formal policies for avoiding conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical and device industries, and meets or exceeds all recommendations of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies Code.^[3]

Top five Choosing Wisely recommendations

The AAN partnered with the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation and Consumer Reports to provide their top 5 recommendations for neurologists. Out of 178 nominations from AAN members, these 5 guidelines were selected by a panel of 4 AAN Staff and 10 experienced AAN members who voted according to a modified Delphi method.^[4] The guidelines were published in Neurology on February 20, 2013.

1. Don't perform EEGs for headaches.
2. Don't perform imaging of the carotid arteries for simple syncope without other neurologic symptoms.
3. Don't use opioid or butalbital treatment for migraine except as a last resort.
4. Don't prescribe interferon-beta or glatiramer acetate to patients with disability from progressive, non-relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
5. Disrecommend for asymptomatic carotid stenosis unless the complication rate is low (<3%).

See also

• Potamkin Prize