Clinical Autonomic Research Society Proceedings

Clinical Autonomic Research 3, 55 (1993)

Clinical Autonomic Research Society Proceedings

10th meeting of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, on 13th November 1992

Chairman: Dr Clare Fowler Treasurer: Prof. Ian Macdonald Secretary: Dr David Jordan

The 10th scientific meeting of the Society was held on 13th November 1992 at the National Hospital for Neuro- logy and Neurosurgery, London, the venue of the first meeting. Just over 100 delegates from both the UK and overseas attended the meeting. Oral and poster presenta- tions covering a wide spectrum of autonomic nervous system research were presented. The abstracts of these are published below. In addition, a Guest Lecture (and video presentation) by Dr W. Weiling on 'Lessons from a patient with autonomic failure' was well received by the Society. On behalf of the Society, Dr Fowler thanked both Dr Weiling and his tenacious patient for such an enlightening insight into the problems faced by such patients, and how they can be overcome.

Sir Roger Bannister, founder and first Chairman of the Society, then gave a short talk on the Society, its past and future.

In addition, a business meeting of the Society was held. The major points discused and decisions made are listed below:

1. The proceedings of the last meeting, which included the abstracts of papers and posters presented had been published early in 1992 in Clinical Autonomic Research. 2. The Treasurer informed the meeting that the Society was still in a secure financial situation. 3. Prof. C. J. Mathias gave a short report on the progress of ClinicalAutonomic Research which was nearing the end of its second year of publication. In 1992 the journal was published bimonthly and had received a good flow of manuscripts covering a wide range of disciplines from a good geographic spread. Despite the larger number of manuscripts published, there was still a 40% rejection rate which was considered a good sign for a journal at this stage. Decision time was low thanks to the efforts of the referees and the Editorial Board. Because of the more frequent publication, the delay between acceptance and publication has been reduced considerably. Finally, Prof. Mathias informed the mem- bers that the journal had recently been accepted by the abstracting agencies Medline and Index Medicus. This was a useful sign and augured well for the future standing of the journal. 4. Dr R. Polinsky informed the meeting that an Amer-

ican Autonomic Society had recently been formed which hoped to meet annually. The next meeting would prob- ably be held in October 1993. It had been agreed by the Editorial Board of Clinical Autonomic Research and fur- ther endorsed by the Society that the abstracts of the first meeting and subsequent ones would be published in Clinical Autonomic Research. 5. Prof. J. L. Elghozi proposed, on behalf of Prof. Montrasurc representing the French Pharmacological Society, that the Society hold a joint one-day meeting with the French Pharmacological Society in Paris in the Spring of 1995. This was enthusiastically agreed. 6. Since the number of abstracts had been limited for this meeting, the members discussed how abstracts should be selected. It was agreed that in future, physical restraints permitting, that as many abstracts as possible should be accommodated assuming they fulfilled the stringent criteria applied. I f selection was necessary this should be based entirely on the quality of the abstracts. It was felt that there should not be a quota for clinical or basic science papers, with no restrictions dependent on source. 7. There was a discussion about the timing and location of the next meeting. It was agreed that this should be held at the University of Birmingham on Friday 12th November 1993.

The following officers were appointed for 1993: Chairman: Prof. I. A. Macdonald, University of Nottingham. Treasurer: Dr E. Johns, University of Birmingham. Secretary: Dr O. Foster, National Hospital, Queen Square, London.

The Society dinner was held in the Wedgwood Room of the National Hospital, with 40 members and guests attending.

Dr David Jordan, Secretary, Clinical Autonomic Research Society, Department of Physiology, Royal Free Hospital Medical School, London.

Editor's note. The Society unanimously applauded Dr Jordan's input and the tremendous efforts he made as Secretary of the Society. We are all very appreciative.

© Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd. Clinical Autonomic Research. vol 3.1993 55