The Division of Neuropathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is the only academic neuropathology institution in the state of Arkansas. The division consists of board-certified neuropathologists and integrates multiple aspects of diagnostic neuropathology, research and teaching.
Murat Gokden, M.D.
Professor, Director of Neuropathology
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Facilities
In addition to its various functions in the Department of Pathology at UAMS, the Neuropathology Division also serves a wide range of hospitals and centers. These include the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute.
Patient Care
All aspects of diagnostic neuropathology service are provided. Active Neurosurgery and Neurology Departments, as well as an active outside diagnostic consultation service, provide over 500 neurosurgical specimens and over 150 muscle and nerve biopsies each year. About 150 autopsies are performed yearly at our three affiliated hospitals and all brains are reviewed by neuropathologists. The division serves as a consultation center for Arkansas and neighboring states for surgical and autopsy neuropathology, including performance of autopsies on patients with documented or suspected neurological diseases, and interpretation of diagnostic muscle and nerve biopsies. Neuropathology consultation is also provided for the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office. In addition, special situations such as Jacob-Creutzfeldt Disease and dementia cases from outside institutions are handled as required.
Research
Research into diseases of the central nervous system and of muscle is strong at UAMS, due to a rich network of scientists and medical practitioners. Research into the origins of Alzheimers disease is particularly strong, and there are programs focusing on meningiomas and on spinal cord injury. The Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics and the Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences are important centers for such research, and the Biomedical Research Buildings I and II provide modern research facilities for such work. The Department of Pathology provides core research support facilities for enzyme histochemistry, histology and immunohistochemistry Experimental Pathology Laboratory and flow cytometry. There is also an Electron Microscopy Laboratory at the Central Arkansas Veteran’s Healthcare System.
Teaching/Education
Residents of the Department of Pathology are exposed to diagnostic neuropathology throughout their anatomic pathology and autopsy rotations, and this is enhanced by a focused upper-level neuropathology rotation. For those who would like to gain more experience in neuropathology, elective rotations are available.
Well-organized teaching sets, consisting of glass slides, digital images, or computer-based modules are available for review. One-on-one reviews and discussion with attending neuropathologists reinforce this self-teaching.
The Neuropathology Division provides instruction for neurology and neurosurgery trainees, medical students, and visitors through structured neuropathology rotations. Participation in intra- and inter-departmental conferences is a routine component of educational activities. Neuropathology lectures are given to the first and second year medical students each spring semester.
Professional Activities
Members of this division participate in various professional pathology and neuropathology societies and take an active part in professional meetings both scientifically and administratively. A regional meeting, the Southern Working Association of Neuropathologists (SWAN), is an annual weekend gathering of neuropathologists in the southern region. It is held at one of the institutions/states on a rotational basis and provides opportunities for consultation and case reviews in an informal atmosphere.
Participation in the Annual Anatomic Pathology Course organized by the Department of Pathology provides additional CME-approved neuropathology updates for interested pathologists and trainees.