Executive Committee

Statutes

Article 1 

Name and domicile: 

The name of the society is "The European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral  Hemodynamics", hereafter referred to as "The Society". The Society is a non-profit organization, which does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion or colour, and which has its domicile in Oslo, Norway. 

Article 2 

Objectives: 

Advancement and promotion of knowledge and research regarding neurosonology and cerebral hemodynamics. The promotion of collaboration between National European Societies and with other international societies in the field of neurosonology and cerebral hemodynamics. The Society will also act as an advisory body for health policies and teaching standards in the field of neurosonology and cerebral hemodynamics in Europe. 

Article 3 

Membership: 

3.1 The Society shall be composed of founding, active, fellow, corresponding and honorary members. Founding members were present and supported the foundation of the society in Münster in 1994. The Founding President is Professor David Russell. 

3.2 Active membership. Active members of the Society shall be members of the medical community, including physicians, scientists and technicians who have demonstrated serious interest in the field of neurosonology and cerebral hemodynamics, and who have indicated their desire to be a member of the Society by payment of their annual dues. 

3.3 Corresponding membership. The same conditions as for active membership apply to this category, but for people working outside Europe.Corresponding members may be observers at business sessions of the society but they cannot vote.  

3.4 Fellow members shall be active or corresponding members specially recognized for their contributions to the field and who have been voted by the members as "Fellows" upon recommendation of the Officers. 

3.5 Honorary members shall be scientists who are internationally recognized for the outstanding contribution they have made in the field of neurosonology and cerebral hemodynamics. They will be voted by the members as "Honorary" members upon recommendation of the officers. Honorary members do not have to pay annual dues.  

3.6 Subscriptions. Members shall pay annual subscriptions in the amounts and within the periods set by the Executive Committee. 

3.7 Rights and Privileges. Active members may participate in the business sessions of the Society and may vote. All active members are eligible for election to office in the Society. Corresponding members may participate in the business sessions, but they may not vote and are not eligible for election to office. 

3.8 Cessation of membership. Membership shall cease upon: 

 a) Death. 

 b)  Written notice by the member, in which case as of the following calendar year (1st January). 

 c) Expulsion in accordance with a decision of the Executive Committee. Expulsion shall be effective upon the taking of the vote and no expelled member may be readmitted into membership nor may any expulsion be revoked except by the affirmative vote of two thirds of the active members 

attending a General Assembly.  

 d) Failure to pay the annual subscription 12 months after reminding by the Treasurer. 

Article 4 

Executive Committee 

4.1 Members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, up to 5 other members and two members at large. The two members are the past and present organizers of the Society`s annual meeting. Their tenure as Member at Large will automatically be terminated after 2 years. The attribution of tasks to each member of the Executive Committee shall be 

decided within the Executive Committee. 

4.2 Duration of office. The duration of office shall be for 4 years for full members and two years for members at large. Members may be re-elected but not for more than two consecutive periods. 

4.3 Elections and eligibility. The General Assembly of active members shall elect the members of the Executive Committee. The respective functions within the Executive Committee shall be decided by the Executive Committee itself, including nominating the President, who must rotate every four years. No more than 3 citizens of the same country may be elected to the Executive Committee at any one time.  

4.4 Election Committee 

The Election Committee is composed of three members from three different countries. The Election Committee and the committee’s chairman is proposed by the Executive Committee but must be approved by the majority of members attending the General Assembly of the society. Members may be re-elected but for not more than two consecutive periods. The duration of office for the chairman is 4 years.  

4.5 Duties and activities of the Executive Committee. 

The Executive Committee shall direct and conduct the general activities of the Society. The Executive Committee is authorized to carry out tasks not allocated to the General Assembly. In legal actions, the Society shall be represented by the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. The Executive Committee shall make decisions by majority vote. 

4.6 Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet at regular intervals, at least once a year.

4.7 Administrative Secretariat. The society shall have a Secretariat, which will be supervised by the Secretary. 

4.8  The Society has its legal headquarters in Oslo, Norway. 

Article 5 

Advisory Board. 

The advisory Board will consist of former Presidents of the Society. The Board will provide advice to the Executive Committee and members will attend Executive Committee meetings. Advisory Board members do not have the right to vote at Executive Committee meetings. 

Article 6 

Associated National Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics Societies 

A National Society may become an Associated National Society of the ESNCH if it promotes the goals of the ESNCH and consists of at least 10 fully-paid ESNCH members. The decision of whether or not a National  Society can be accepted as an Associated National Society of the ESNCH will be made by the Executive committee of the ESNCH. All members of an Associated Society must also be members of the ESNCH. The program committee for Associated National Society scientific meetings must include at least one Executive Committee member of the ESNCH who must approve the scientific program if the name of the ESNCH is used in association with the meeting. The Executive Committee of the ESNCH can terminate Associated National Society status if the Associated National society does not abide by the goals of the ESNCH as stated in the ESNCH Statutes. 

Article 7 

General Assembly 

The General Assembly is formed by all members of the Society. The active members may vote in writing, on request of the Executive Committee, or during a business meeting, which may be arranged by the Executive Committee during the sessions of the annual meeting of the Society. The invitation to the business meeting shall be announced to the members at least 2 months before the date of the meeting. 

Article 8 

Amendments to the Statutes 

Amendments to the Statutes may be proposed by the Executive Committee or proposed in writing to the Secretary by 30 or more active members and must be acted upon within the year following the receipt of this proposal. An amendment shall require for its adoption an affirmative vote from active members by three fourths of the votes at a General Assembly. 

Article 9 

Scientific meeting 

A scientific meeting of the Society shall be held each year. 

Article 10 

Finances 

Finances will be obtained through subscriptions, profit from scientific conferences grants from governmental/non-governmental agencies, industry, private donations and bequests, and any other source approved by the Executive Committee. 

Article 11 

Dissolution of the Society 

10.1 Decision of dissolution. The dissolution of the Society shall only be decided upon by an affirmative vote of three fourths of the active members of the Society at a General Assembly. 

10.2 Disposition of assets. The General Assembly deciding on the dissolution of the Society shall be competent to decide how the assets of the Society shall be disposed of. 

Members Distribution

Country	No. of members
Italy	61
Germany	54
Norway	16
Switzerland	16
Russia	14
Spain	14
USA	12
Latvia	11
Bulgaria	10
France	10
Lithuania	10
The Netherlands	10
United Kingdom	10
Hungary	9
Croatia	7
Czech Republic	7
Portugal	7
Serbia	7
Slovak Republic	7
Poland	6
Romania	6
Albania	5
Belgium	5
Greece	4
Iran	4
Israel	4
Turkey	4
Argentina	3
Denmark	3
Sweden	3
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2
Brazil	2
Japan	2
Macedonia	2
Australia	1
China	1
Eqypt	1
Ireland	1
Korea	1

Why to become a member?

How to become a member?

In order to apply for a membership at the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) you simply need to download now and fill in the application form. When you have finished filling in the form please return it to the address stated in the bottom of that document.

A demand of our Treasurer

Dear members!

It would be very helpful for the Treasurer of our Society if you pay the annual membership fee by direct bank transfer.

Direct Transfer

Bernische Kantonalbank, BEKB
3001 Bern, Switzerland
European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH)
IBAN (International Bank Account Number): CH61 0079 0016 2680 8186 2
BIC / SWIFT: KBBECH22
Bank Clearing: 790 / Postal Account: 30-106-9

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History of the Society

Formation of the Society

The formation of the European Society of Neurosonology an Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) was proposed by Professor David Russell in a letter to leading European Scientists in this field in December 1993. In August 1994 Professor Russell sent a more general invitation to European Scientists inviting them to attend an inaugural meeting during the 8th International Cerebral Hemodynamics Symposium which was organized by Professor E.B. Ringelstein in Münster, Germany from 25th - 27th September 1994. The inaugural meeting of the ESNCH was held on 26th September 1994. The first meeting of the ESNCH was organized by Professor J. Klingelhöfer and PD Eva Bartels in Munich, Germany from 29th August - 1st September 1996. The statutes of the Society were accepted by a General Assembly on 27th May 1997 during the 2nd Meeting of the ESNCH which was organized by Professor R.G. Ackerstaff from 25th - 28th May 1997. The first Executive Committee consited of Professor D. Russell ( President ), Professor J. Klingelhöfer ( secretary ), PD Eva Bartels ( treasurer ), Professor R.G. Ackerstaff, Professor D. Grosset, Professor K. Niederkorn, Professor E.B. Ringelstein, Professor E. Zanette. The society was, following this meeting, registered as a non-profit organisation, in Oslo, Norway.

Meeting Reviews

1st meeting

The 1st meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) took place in Munich/Germany, August 29th- September 1st, 1996 The president of the meeting was Professor J. Klingelhöfer, the secretary of the meeting was PD Eva Bartels. One of the honorary presidents was the well known pioneer of neurosonology Prof. H.R. Müller from Basel. The main aim of the meeting was to give a wide summary of the current state of research in cerebral hemodynamics. Beside clinical aspects, the combination of transcranial Dopplersonography with other imaging methods and the application in the intensive care units, the detection of microemboli and the application of ultrasound contrast mediums were in the centre of the contributions. More than 500 registered participants from many different countries in Europe, as well as the Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, USA and South America were present. The meeting consisted of more than 70 lectures and 180 posters. The presentations covered all new and relevant aspects both diagnostic and clinical ones of cerebral hemodynamics. Selected presentations of the meeting formed the basis of the book "New Trends in Cerebral Hemodynamics and Neurosonology" (Elsevier, 1997; eds: J. Klingelhöfer, E. Bartels, E.B. Ringelstein). Pleasant opportunity to make new friends was the welcome party in the exquisite art gallery "Lenbachhaus" and the unforgettable Bavarian Dinner in the famous Bavarian "Biergarten Kreitmair" which was completed by a folklore program and an award for outstanding posters.

2nd meeting

The 2nd meeting of the ESNCH was held in Zeist/Utrecht, Netherlands, on May 25th - 28th, 1997. The president of the meeting was Professor R.G.A. Ackerstaff. In all aspects this meeting was also a great success. In Zeist there were over 200 participants, 24 oral presentations and more than 125 poster presentations.

3rd meeting

The 3rd meeting of the ESNCH was held in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 25th - 27th, 1998 in conjunction with the 4th British Transcranial Doppler Conference. The president of the meeting was Professor Donald G. Grosset. There were more than 200 delegates from across Europe representing the society with excellent presentations from the former Eastern Block of Europe, but in addition to this we extended a warm welcome to colleagues from North America, the Middle and Far East and Australia. It was a very interesting and varied meeting in the Walton Conference Centre of Glasgow. No meeting of this stature is complete without the social events, and we had the warm hand of welcome from the City Council where delegates met in the Glasgow City Chambers for a reception. There it appeared that most got to understand some of the Scottish jokes and within that some of the uniquely Glasgowegian humour. The celebration Gala Dinner in the Piping Centre Glasgow had its natural focus on the bagpipe music of the country with some superb tunes and impromptu invited contributions from Mario Siebler and the president of the meeting Professor Donald G. Grosset, treating the audience to the sight of both of them in kilts.

4th meeting

The 4th meeting of the ESNCH was held in Venice, Italy, April 10th - 13th, 1999. The president of the meeting was Professor E. Zanette. More than 200 excellent platform and poster presentations, as well as tutorials reflected impressively the interest in this meeting and its scientific significance. The substantial number of more than 400 attendees did not only come from Europe, but also from North America, Asia and Australia. "The Fondazione Cini" on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore was such a memorable venue, that more than 200 years ago Goethe honoured it by saying: "There is no place which stands comparison with the space opposite piazza San Marco; I mean that great mirror of water which is embraced like a crescent by the city itself. Beyond this expanse of water, one can see on the left the island of San Giorgio Maggiore".

5th meeting

The 5th meeting of the ESNCH was held in Graz, Austria, May 21st - 23rd, 2000. The president of the meeting was Professor K. Niederkorn. The meeting was held at the Grazer Congress Conference Center, which is situated in the heart of the old city. Although the simultaneous city fair was some competition, the attendance at the 2 tutorials and 9 scientific sessions and 2 special symposia - with 233 registered congress participants - was very good. In addition to the latest research results of the traditional topics in Neurosonology, new aspects like Neuronavigation, Neurointervention and ultrasound-enhanced Thrombolysis were reported and discussed. The hospitality of the Mayor of Graz and of the Governor of Styria resulted into well-attendand receptions as the social highlights of the Congress.

6th meeting

The 6th meeting of the ESNCH has been held in Lisboa, Portugal, May 13th -15th, 2001 in association with the Neurosonology Research Group of World Federation of Neurology (WFN). The president of the meeting was Professor V. Oliveira. An attractive program was presented to the attendants covering both traditional and new advances in Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics. Social events were held every day allowing a relaxed atmosphere facilitating the communication among all of us and strengthening the sense of togetherness in the Neurosonology community. Besides most of the attendants took their time to visit the well known sights of Lisboa.

7th meeting

The 7th meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics took place in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, from May 26th to 28th, 2002 and was excellently organized by the chairmen Mathias Sturzenegger. The impressive scientific meeting was held in the confortable lecture hall of the University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern. The Conference also celebrated the 20th anniversary of TCD, since the first dedicated TCD machine had been constructed at the Inselspital, Bern, and the first paper on the clinical application of TCD had been published in 1982. Bern has recently been chosen as one of the Top International Cities which offers the highest quality of life. The city of Bern is also famous for its beautiful and breathtaking views of some of the most impressive mountains of the Swiss Alps, Eiger and Jungfrau.

8th Meeting

Dr. José-Manuel Moltó-Jorda was the president of the 8th meeting of the ESNCH. It was held in Alicante, Spain, from May 19th to 21st, 2003 and took place in the “Palacio de Congresos del Colegio Oficial de Médicos de la Provincia de Alicante”. An attractive programme, excellent platform and poster presentations as well as tutorials reflected impressively the interest in this meeting. Dr. Moltó and his team succeeded in excellently organizing and arranging an interesting and inspiring event in unique atmosphere. As the picturesque city, which has a three thousand years old history, is situated at the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by the mountains, it has always been an important seaport.

9th Meeting

The 9th meeting of the Society took place in the city hall of Wetzlar, Germany, May 8th to 11th, 2004 and was organised by Prof. Manfred Kaps as president of the meeting. This year the Section of Neurology and the Group of Vascular Ultrasound of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) attached their annual summer meeting to our conference in order to concentrate all activities at one place and one date. The main topics of the congress were focused on clinical applications of neurosonology, the role of ultrasound in stroke prevention and functional testing. Wetzlar, an ancient medieval town, dates back on emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. It has influenced the works of different poets, e.g. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who stayed there 200 years ago and wrote his novel “The sorrows of young Werther”.

10th Meeting

The 10th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Abano Terme, Padova, Italy, from May 21st to 24th, 2005 and was organised by chairman Giorgio Meneghetti. 446 experts attended the meeting coming from Western and Eastern Europe, the USA, the middle and far East, South America and Australia. The attention of the experts was focused on the most recent developments in the various fields of neurosonology, but the running theme of the meeting was the applicability of ultrasound in daily clinical practice. Furthermore, future technological developments and specific applications of ultrasound were also part of the program and received a great acceptance. A touching moment was the section dedicated to Prof. Elietta Maria Zanette at the Aula Magna of the University of Padova, the cradle of the European medicine, and the visit of the anatomical theatre of Fabrici d’Acquapendente which was represented on the logo of the Meeting. We really enjoyed our time in Padova where famous scientists as Copernicus or Galileo Galilei had already worked.

11th Meeting

The 11th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from May 14th to 16th, 2006 and was organised by chairman Mario Siebler. The 11th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from May 14th to 16th, 2006 and was organised by chairman Mario Siebler. In the last years tremendous development in cerebral imaging by CT and MRI had pushed the neurological diagnostic. In the meantime ultrasound (US) technology had also substantial improved. Recent advances lead to level 1, type A evidence that TCD and carotid duplex are recommended elements of a comprehensive stroke center. The 11th Meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemdodynamics (ESNCH) held in Düsseldorf reflected the current established applications of ultrasound and the basic studies in neurosonology in a very impressive way. Next to the scientific impact of this meeting, every congress visitor was impressed by the vitality of the city with its world-famous Boulevard “Kö”.

12th Meeting

The 12th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Budapest, Hungary, from May 26th to 29th, 2007 and was organised by chairman Lászlo Csiba. This conference has been of outstanding importance because besides hearing about the work of our colleagues from the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics, the members of the Neurosonology Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology and those of the Hungarian Society of Neurosonology had the chance to give an account of their results. The joint efforts of these societies was crowned by this conference, to which a special emphasis was given by the fact that the number of participants that came from Eastern and Central Europe has been unusually high. A total of three-hundred-fourty-three participants came from 42 countries to the meeting. In addition it was the first conference, where next to theoretical also a practical exam was organized. There have been several reasons for choosing Budapest as a venue: it is one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world; the Hungarians’ traditional hospitality and the wonderful weather in May guaranteed, that besides being an excellent scientific conference it has been an everlasting memory for everyone participating. We were able to experience the bright light beauty of the city in the course of the festive evening by taking an unforgettable verspertine boat trip at the Danube.

13th Meeting

The 13th meeting of the ESNCH took place in Genova, Italy, from May 10th to 13th 2008 and was organized by chairman Massimo Del Sette. The conference was a great opportunity for sharing knowledge on new developments in neurovascular ultrasound, from acute stroke to parenchyma and perfusiom imaging, from monitoring to particular fiels such as non-vascular use of ultrasound. More than 330 participants from 35 different countries, 60 invited speakers and 128 excellent platform and poster presentations reflected the interest of the scientific community in the areas covered by our Society. Attendees came from Western, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as from North America and Asia. After the success in Budapest, a theoretical and hands-on test was organized in cooperation eith the Neurosonology Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology: many applied to achieve the International Certification in Neurosonology. Genova and its old harbour area has been a gorgeous place for the Meeting and the good weather gave the delegates a unique opportunity to visit historical places, the famous harbour, pitoresque places and churches and one of the largest Acquariums in Europe.

14th Meeting

The 14th Meeting of ESNCH took place in Riga, Latvia, from May 23rd to 25th 2009 and was organized by Chairperson Galina Baltgaile. Despite of the world-wide financial crisis the 240 participants came from 31 countries. More that 90 participants attended first-day tutorial lectures covered almost all main subjects in neurosonology. More the half of attendees took a part in practical session. Very successful tutorial had shown growing interest for applying for International Certification. From many interesting lectures presented by 40 invited speakers the special attention brought the history and future perspectives of thrombolytic treatment in acute stroke as well as sonothrombolysis, the advances in endovascular interventions and the imaging of cerebral vascularisation and perfusion. Delegates from Europe, Asia, Japan, China  and USA having activities in NSRG Meeting and ESNCH board election highly appreciated the work for the society done by President Kurt Niederkorn and elected the new ESNCH President Laszlo Csiba. For the many of the attendees it was a first time to visit Riga and to discover magnificent Jugendstile and mediveal architecture, spacious parks and lovely cafés of the beautiful city as well as picturesque nature and sandy beaches of the Baltic sea cost.

Summary

This demonstrates that the ESNCH can look back on a long and eventful history and that it will have a very auspicious future, too. Today it is characterised as the presently most successful neurosonology group in the world with the No.1-forum for the transfer of new ideas. Our members define the neurovascular standards in Europe and beyond. Furthermore the officers of our Society have strong relations to other important European neurological societies, as the EFNS Task Forces or the European Stroke Council, which makes it strong and influential. Besides it annually supports the International Congress on Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics which is held in annually changing European countries.   The advantages for our members are very manifold. While other societies are mainly anonymous in the majority of cases, the ESNCH provides familiarity. Besides our members get the latest news and the highest level of knowledge in the cerebrovascular field. They get also updated and detailed information about the clinical meaning of ultrasound in acute and chronic cerebrovascular diseases. Furthermore our society is an excellent forum for young researchers to present their work and to gain experience, since the members of the ESNCH represent a medical elite. There is also an add-value for sonographers, namely the exchange of knowledge and the potential scientific collaboration above the clinical routine.