American Academy of Neurology

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is a professional society representing over 40,000 neurologists and neuroscientists. 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.

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

Membership
The current classes of membership includes:
 * Student – a medical student enrolled in an accredited medical/osteopathic school, or graduate students enrolled in a doctoral program.
 * Intern – a graduate of an accredited medical/osteopathic school who is engaged in their first year of residency training and will be completing post-graduate training in neurology.
 * Junior – a graduate of an accredited medical/osteopathic school who is completing training in a neurology residency program or a Ph.D. student completing post-doctoral research training.
 * Advanced Care Practitioner – A non-physician practitioner (NP, PA, or RN) who devotes a majority of their time to the practice of neurology.
 * Researcher – a professional who has dedicated his/her career to the advancement of neuroscience through research.
 * Physician Affiliate – a physician in a specialty other than neurology or a professional practicing in a specialty related to neurology. This level of membership has both United States and International categories.
 * Neurologist – a physician fully trained in neurology and board certified by the ABPN, AOBNP, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the Collège des médecins du Québec. This level of membership has both United States and International categories
 * Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN) – The highest and most respected class of membership is awarded to selected board-certified neurologists and research neuroscientists who have demonstrated high achievements in teaching, clinical practice, administration and/or research. Awarding of Fellowship status is based on a multi-step process involving nominations from current Fellows, a rigorous review of the nomination by the AAN Membership Application Review Subcommittee and endorsement of the AAN Executive Committee. Fellows carry the post-nominal title "FAAN" (not to be confused with "FAAN" status granted by the American Academy of Nursing). The Fellow status has both International and United States subcategories. Fellows practicing outside the United States or Canada are referred to as Corresponding Fellows.

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.

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. 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%).