History
The idea of an organization like the ISN began in the mid-1950s as scientists began to devote more attention to the discipline of neurochemistry. As the field became more popular, scientists recognized that an international association would be useful in helping to propagate research among themselves. In 1962, Jordi Folch Pi and Heinrich Waelesch proposed the formation of a Provisional Organizing Committee to such a society. The committee eventually came into being in 1963 and had an international membership composed of scientists in the field. Preliminary statutes were drafted in 1965 and finalized in 1967 as the Articles of Association of the ISN. At its creation, the society had 226 members.
The ISN began by organizing international and satellite meetings. In 1980, it began offering travel grants for young scientists to attend its meetings. Since that time, it has increased the number of awards it offers, funding travel grants as well as training programs, research in developing countries, and small, specialized medical conferences.
The mission of the International Society for Neurochemistry is to:
- Facilitate the worldwide advancement of neurochemistry and related neuroscience disciplines
- Foster the education and development of neurochemists, particularly of young and emerging investigators
- Disseminate information about neurochemistry and neurochemists’ activities throughout the world
Annual Meeting
The society holds a bi-annual meeting, which generally is organized in collaboration with a regional society, either the European Society for Neurochemistry, the American Society for Neurochemistry, or the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry.
Publications
The official journal of the ISN is the Journal of Neurochemistry currently published by Wiley-Blackwell.