Practical approach to neuropathology required for experts

Abstract

Neuropathology is essential for neurology since disease concepts of neurological disorders have been based on the neuropathological findings. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy and Alzheimer's disease have been established on the pathological findings. Neuropathology has been still important, even if diagnostic procedure has progressed in neuroimaging and genetic screening. Today neuropathology includes not only morphological findings, but also immunological and molecular biology. Minimum requirements for post-graduate education indicate that autopsy and clinicopathological conference are essential for young doctors for specialists. The practical experience of autopsy procedure promotes further knowledge and understandings of macroscopical findings of central nervous system. CPC provides the training place to compare clinical neurological signs and neuroradiological pictures to pathological findings, and the chance to confirm the clinical diagnosis. These trainings may raise quality of clinical neurology. It is recommended to practice the training courses in specialized neuropathological institutes, or to attend annual and local meetings of Japanese Society of Neuropathology, although the small number of neuropathological educational center and the decreased number of autopsied brains make it difficult for trainee doctors.