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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 is comprised of two board-certified neuropathologists and integrates
multiple aspects of diagnostic neuropathology, research and teaching.
Faculty
Murat Gokden,
MD
Associate Professor, Director of Neuropathology
Muhammad M. Husain,
MD
Associate Professor
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.
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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 the 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 also 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, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and both scanning
and transmission electron microscopy in the Experimental Pathology Shared Resource Laboratory, located in the Rockefeller Cancer Institite. 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 continually 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 further
discussions with attending neuropathologists reinforce this self-teaching.
The Neuropathology Division also provides instruction for neurology and neurosurgery
trainees through structured neuropathology rotations, as well as interested
medical students and visitors. Participation in intra- and inter-departmental conferences is a routine component of educational activities. Neuropathology lectures for
the first and second year medical students are given each spring semester.
Other Professional Activities
Members of the division are members of various professional pathology and neuropathology
societies and take an active part in these 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 usually held on a weekend at one of the
institutions/states on a rotational basis and provides opportunities for consultation,
exchange of information 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 update 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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