SAN DIEGO (April 28, 2003) -- The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 71st Annual Meeting from April 26 to May 1, 2003, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. The meeting will host more than 5,000 attendees, with approximately 2,500 medical professionals including neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants and allied health professionals.

Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders affecting the nervous system, brain, spinal column and spinal cord and includes brain tumors, severe head injuries, stroke, aneurysms and pain management.

The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the world. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. The Scientific Program, which includes 42 practical clinics, 10 general scientific sessions, 75 breakfast seminars, 121 oral abstract presentations, over 500 poster presentations and 650 technical and institutional exhibits (representing approximately 180 companies), begins on Monday, April 28.

Special lectures include: The Richard C. Schneider Lecturer Madjid Samii, MD, on Monday, April 28 at 10:55 a.m.; the Hunt Wilson Lecturer Fred H. Gage, PhD, on Tuesday, April 29, at 10:15 a.m.; the Rhoton Family Lecturer Rear Admiral James A. Johnson, on Wednesday, April 30, at 10:50 a.m.; Theodore Kurze Lecturer M. Gazi Yasargil, MD, on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:25 p.m. and the Van Wagenen Lecturer Neal F. Kassell, MD, on Thursday, May 1 at 9:45 a.m.

The 2003 AANS Annual Meeting press kit including press releases and fact sheets on several neurosurgical procedures, is located in the Media Center Section of the AANS Web site at: www.neurosurgerytoday.org/media/press.asp.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with over 6,500 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.