Chicago (April 28, 2008) - The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 76th Annual Meeting at Lakeside Center, McCormick Place. The meeting will host more than 6,000 attendees, with approximately 3,000 medical professionals including neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants and allied health professionals. Attending medical professionals will have the chance to further their continuing medical education in specialty areas such as cerebrovascular, pain, pediatrics, spine and peripheral nerves, stereotactic/functional, trauma, and tumor, as well as participate in sessions focusing on the key socioeconomic issues affecting neurosurgeons and their patients.

Neurosurgeons treat patients for neck and low back pain, brain tumors, brain and spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, stroke, brain aneurysms, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, chronic pain, and a variety of other conditions. They provide both surgical and nonsurgical treatment.

The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. During the weekend, 41 practical clinics will offer state-of-the art continuing medical education to medical attendees only. The Scientific Program, which opens officially on Monday, April 28, includes 21 general scientific sessions, 78 breakfast seminars, 146 oral abstract presentations, nearly 500 poster presentations, and exhibit booths representing 225 companies.

Special lectures include: The Richard C. Schneider Lecturer A. John Popp, MD, Monday, April 28, 9:50 am; The Hunt-Wilson Lecturer Marcus E. Raichle, MD, Monday, April 28, 10:55 am; The Cushing Orator Douglas Brinkley, PhD, Monday, April 28, 12:25 p.m., The Ronald L. Bittner Lecturer Eric C. Holland, MD, Monday, April 28, 2:45 pm; The Louise Eisenhardt Lecturer Marcia Angell, MD, Tuesday, April 29, 11:15 am; The Rhoton Family Lecturer Lee Woodruff, Wednesday, April 30, 11:15 a.m.; The Theodore Kurze Lecturer Michael L.J. Apuzzo, MD, Wednesday, April 30, 11:51 am; and The Van Wagenen Lecturer Rodolfo R. Llinás, MD, PhD, Wednesday, April 30, 12:32 pm.

The 2008 AANS Annual Meeting press kit includes releases on highlighted scientific research, AANS officer and award winners, and Neurosurgery Awareness Week. This is located in the Media Center Section of the AANS public Web site at: http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/media/press.asp. The AANS Annual Meeting Preliminary Program is available online at: http://www.aans.org/annual/2008/Prelim_Program_08.pdf.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with over 7,200 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, A.C.

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Media Representatives: If you would like to cover the meeting or interview a neurosurgeon – either on-site or via telephone – please contact the AANS Communications Department at (847) 378-0517 or call the Annual Meeting Press Room beginning Monday, April 28 at (312) 949-3205.