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The Division of Neuropathology at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences is the only academic neuropathology
institution in the state of Arkansas. The Division consists of
board-certified neuropathologists and integrates multiple aspects of
diagnostic neuropathology, research and teaching.
Facilities
In addition to its various functions in the Department of Pathology at
UAMS, the Neuropathology Division also serves a wide range of hospitals
and centers. These include the
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System,
Arkansas Children's Hospital, the
Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the
Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the
Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute.
Patient Care
All aspects of diagnostic neuropathology service are provided. Active
Neurosurgery and
Neurology Departments, as well as an active outside diagnostic
consultation service, provide over 500 neurosurgical specimens and over
150 muscle and nerve biopsies each year. About 150 autopsies are
performed yearly at our three affiliated hospitals and all brains are
reviewed by neuropathologists. The division serves as a consultation
center for Arkansas and neighboring states for surgical and
autopsy neuropathology, including performance of autopsies on
patients with documented or suspected neurological diseases, and
interpretation of diagnostic muscle and nerve biopsies.
Neuropathology consultation is also provided for the
Arkansas State Medical Examiner's Office. In addition, special
situations such as Jacob-Creutzfeldt Disease and dementia cases from
outside institutions are handled as required.
Research
Research into diseases of the central nervous system and of muscle is
strong at UAMS, due to a rich network of scientists and medical
practitioners. Research into the
origins of Alzheimer’s disease
is particularly strong, and there are programs focusing on
meningiomas and on spinal cord injury. The
Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics and the
Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences are important
centers for such research, and the
Biomedical Research Buildings I and II provide modern research
facilities for such work. The Department of Pathology provides core
research support facilities for enzyme histochemistry, histology and
immunohistochemistry
Experimental Pathology Laboratory and flow cytometry. There is also
an
Electron Microscopy
Laboratory at the Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System.
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Teaching/Education
Residents of the Department of Pathology are exposed to diagnostic
neuropathology throughout their anatomic pathology and autopsy
rotations, and this is enhanced by a focused upper-level neuropathology
rotation. For those who would like to gain more experience in
neuropathology, elective rotations are available.
Well-organized teaching sets, consisting of glass slides, digital
images, or computer-based modules are available for review. One-on-one
reviews and discussion with attending neuropathologists reinforce this
self-teaching.
The Neuropathology Division provides instruction for neurology and
neurosurgery trainees, medical students, and visitors through structured
neuropathology rotations. Participation in intra- and inter-departmental
conferences is a routine component of educational activities.
Neuropathology lectures are given to the first and second year medical
students each spring semester.
Professional Activities
Members of this division participate in various professional pathology
and neuropathology societies and take an active part in professional
meetings both scientifically and administratively. A regional meeting,
the Southern Working Association of Neuropathologists (SWAN), is an
annual weekend gathering of neuropathologists in the southern region. It
is held at one of the institutions/states on a rotational basis and
provides opportunities for consultation and case reviews in an informal
atmosphere.
Participation in the Annual Anatomic Pathology Course organized by the
Department of Pathology provides additional CME-approved neuropathology
updates for interested pathologists and trainees.
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Links
American Association of
Neuropathologists
International Society of
Neuropathology
Society for Neuro-Oncology
United States and Canadian Academy of
Pathology
National Prion Disease
Pathology Surveillance Center
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