Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology

Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology
Name	Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology
Abbreviation	AOAN
Formation	1990s
Type	Professional association
Region served	Asia and Oceania

Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology is a regional professional association connecting neurologists across Asia and Oceania, promoting clinical practice, research collaboration, and education. The association engages with national neurological societies such as Japanese Society of Neurology, Indian Academy of Neurology, Chinese Society of Neurology, Korean Neurological Association, and Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists while interacting with international bodies including World Federation of Neurology, International League Against Epilepsy, World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, and United Nations. It fosters partnerships with academic institutions like University of Tokyo, Peking University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Seoul National University, and University of Sydney and liaises with research funders such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and National Institutes of Health.

History

The association emerged during regional dialogues linking national societies including Japan Neurological Society, Chinese Medical Association, Indian Medical Association, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and Philippine Neurological Association to address neurological disorder burdens reflected in reports by World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, Global Burden of Disease Study, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. Early convenings involved delegates from University of Hong Kong, Kobe University, Christian Medical College Vellore, National Taiwan University Hospital, and Prince of Wales Hospital and built on initiatives from World Federation of Neurology congresses and collaborations with societies such as European Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Neurology, and International Brain Research Organization. Milestones included memoranda with institutions like Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, workshops supported by Wellcome Trust, and capacity-building efforts tied to programs by WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Asian Development Bank, and UNICEF.

Membership and Structure

Membership comprises national neurological societies such as Malaysian Society of Neurosciences, Bangladesh Neurological Society, Sri Lanka Neurological Association, Neurological Society of Singapore, and Taiwan Neurological Society alongside individual members from centers like National University of Singapore, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, University of Malaya, and Gadjah Mada University. The organizational structure mirrors models used by World Federation of Neurology, European Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Neurology, and International League Against Epilepsy, with committees for clinical practice guidelines, research, education, and ethics populated by representatives from Royal College of Physicians, National Medical Commission (India), Japan Medical Association, and Korean Medical Association. Regional chapters coordinate activities with provincial or state bodies such as Tokyo Metropolitan Government, California Department of Public Health (as a partner example), New South Wales Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan).

Activities and Programs

The association runs continuing professional development programs modeled after courses at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, Oxford University, Mayo Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital and collaborates on guideline development informed by panels from World Health Organization, American Heart Association, European Stroke Organization, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, and American Epilepsy Society. Public health initiatives partner with WHO, UNICEF, Red Cross, Asian Development Bank, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to address stroke, epilepsy, dementia, and neuroinfectious diseases in collaboration with hospitals like Siriraj Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Training programs include fellowships at centers such as Neuroscience Institute, National University Hospital Singapore, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, AIIMS Delhi, Seoul National University Hospital, and Royal North Shore Hospital.

Conferences and Congresses

The association organizes regional congresses and symposia that attract delegates from World Federation of Neurology, European Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Neurology, International Brain Research Organization, and International League Against Epilepsy, and are hosted at venues like Kyoto International Conference Center, Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, Taj Mahal Palace, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre. Program tracks feature keynote lectures by leaders affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Imperial College London, and Karolinska Institutet and parallel sessions on stroke, Parkinson disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and neurogenetics led by presenters from Peking University First Hospital, National Neuroscience Institute Singapore, AIIMS, Seoul National University Hospital, and University of Melbourne. Satellite meetings often include workshops run with partners such as World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and UNESCO.

Research and Education Initiatives

Research collaborations span institutions like Peking University, University of Tokyo, Seoul National University, AIIMS New Delhi, and University of Melbourne and are aligned with multicenter trials registered in databases administered by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, ClinicalTrials.gov, European Clinical Trials Database, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and funding agencies including National Institutes of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Educational outputs include curricula co-developed with World Federation of Neurology, online modules hosted by Coursera partners at Johns Hopkins University, certificate programs in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, and training fellowships supported by Asian Development Bank and national ministries such as Ministry of Health (Singapore), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan).

Governance and Leadership

Governance follows a council and executive committee format with officers drawn from national societies including Japan Neurological Society, Indian Academy of Neurology, Chinese Medical Association Neurology Branch, Korean Neurological Association, and Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists and advisors from World Federation of Neurology, International League Against Epilepsy, World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, and Wellcome Trust. Leadership transitions and bylaws have been aligned with practices from World Federation of Neurology, European Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Neurology, International Brain Research Organization, and regional legal frameworks such as statutes in Japan, India, Australia, China, and Singapore.

Category:Neurology organizations Category:Medical associations in Asia Category:Medical associations in Oceania