Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders are common and research in ANS forms an emerging subspecialty of neurology. However, there are, so far, only management and treatment guidelines for Orthostatic hypotension. Furthermore there are no standards on the technical requirements for an autonomic laboratory in Europe. The lack of a standardization impedes the comparison of results between laboratories.
Based on this rather unclear European situation, the Scientist Panel has established three task forces:
1) The TF TLOC, chaired by Prof. G. van Dijk, RC Leiden, NL, will present the current evidence in diagnosis and management of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC). 2) The TF Diagnosis and definition of orthostatic intolerance, chaired by Prof. C. Mathias, London, UK, intends to clarify the rather confusing issue of defining intolerance syndromes and will present up to date diagnostic procedures. 3) The TF Standards for autonomic laboratories, chaired by Dr. H. Lahrmann, Vienna, Austria, will develop guidelines regarding the minimum requirements and standards for laboratories diagnosing autonomic diseases.
In addition, the ANS Scientist Panel was able to organize cooperation with the European Federation of Autonomic Societies, EFAS, and a first joint meeting with EFAS during the 2008 EFNS conference in Madrid was held. This joint meeting was well accepted by colleagues from many countries and resulted in a submission of 90 abstracts.
We jointly organized a Teaching Course, “Autonomic disorders in neurology: Diagnosis and management”, a Main Topic session, entitled "Disorders of the autonomic nervous system: From Pathophysiology to diagnosis and treatment", a Focused Workshop, entitled “Transient Loss of Consciousness: Syncope versus Epilepsy”, and a Special Session, “Specific diagnostic tests for autonomic dysfunction”.
All scientific and educational sessions were very well accepted and attended. The interest in our field as well as its visibility became quite evident to the EFAS and EFNS representatives. Thus, the EFNS President, Prof. J. De Reuck, encouraged us to continue the cooperation between the autonomic panel within EFNS and EFAS.
In January 2009, the first EFNS/EFAS/EAYNT Teaching Course on Autonomic Nervous System Disorders was organised in Brasov, Romania. The TC was held at the Aula of the University of Transylvania, Brasov, Romania from Jan. 30 to 31, 2009, and attended by 552 participants from all over Europe. This event caused enthusiasm among the Romanian Neurologists to such an extent that it mounted in the foundation of the Romanian Multidisciplinary Group on Autonomic Disorders.
The EFNS Scientist Panel on the Autonomic Nervous System and EFAS also contributed significantly to creating the questions for the UEMS European Board of Neurology.