Current Issue February 2012, Vol. 34, No. 2

Published by Elsevier since 1993, this is the official English language journal of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology (JSCN). Since 2006 (volume 28), the journal increased its publication to 10 issues from 8 issues per year, and the journal is a well recognised vehicle for pediatric neurologists to publish their research.

The Japanese Society of Child Neurology (JSCN) was founded in 1961. Publication of its official journal in Japanese, "No To Hattatsu", began in 1969, and its official journal in English, "Brain & Development", was first published in 1979. Since 2007 the society has been reorganized as a limited liability nonprofits mutual benefit corporation for further development.

JSCN is among the largest affiliate societies of the Japan Pediatric Association. The current number of full members is around 3500. These are grouped into nine local chapters (Kyushu, Chugoku-Shikoku, Kinki, Tokai, Hokuriku, Koshin-etsu, Kanto, Tohoku and Hokkaido), each of which holds its own annual meeting once or twice a year. The General Assembly of JSCN is held once a year, usually in May or June. The average number of participants has been around 1500, with approximately 400 free papers, plenary lectures, and invited lectures. The subjects of these papers and lectures encompass almost every aspect of child neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and related basic sciences such as molecular biology, neurophysiology, neuropathology, and neuropharmacology.

Since 1971, JSCN has also sponsored the Graduate Seminar of Child Neurology, an annual teaching conference for young pediatric neurologists. Every year, between 100 and 120 young pediatric neurologists attend lectures, case conferences, and symposia that help upgrade their knowledge on pediatric neurology and related fields.