Department of Neurology

The Chair was founded in 1926.

By the initiatives of A. Arzumanyan in 1926 the  First Chair of Neurology was founded in the Faculty of Medicine of the Yerevan University, and in 1958 in the Institute of Doctor`s Qualification Improvement, so scientific work in the field of neurology in Armenia has a long history.

Currently, the Department of Neurology operates at the Yerevan State Medical University, and provides university education and postgraduate specialization in Neurology.

The first studies in the field of neurology were dedicated to the study of nervous system disorders in malaria and brucellosis. There are several publications on the diagnosis and treatment of poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain during influenza, seasonal encephalitis.

During the Second World War, the main research works were dedicated to the pathology and treatment of nervous system injuries (A. Hakobyan, G. Mirzoyan).

In the 1950s and 1960s, numerous studies were devoted to current issues of the time: vascular diseases of the brain, transient and acute circulatory disorders – strokes (G. Mirzoyan, S. Torosyan).

Numerous neurological departments have been operating in the capital Yerevan and other cities of the republic since the 1970s.

Since 1976 under the leadership of E. Gevorgyan fundamental research was carried out on the pathology of the autonomic nervous system, the patterns of development of paroxysmal syndromes, as well as the peculiarities of the nervous system damage in diseases like a Familial Mediterranean fever, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other organ systems diseases. The role of deep brain structures in the pathogenesis of transient circulatory disorders of the brain was revealed, and in our country the development of neuro-genetics, neuropsychology and clinical neurophysiology began.

Extensive studies have been performed on the study of changes in homeostasis in hypothalamic disorders, and the role of limbic-reticular systems in the development of autonomic failures and vascular paroxysms.

In 1977 Yu. Tunyan established the first angio-neurological department in Armenia, where advanced research devices and methods were introduced: cerebrovascular rheography, vascular angiography, fundamental research was performed on stroke risk factors, stroke treatment approaches and research methods in general. For the first time a multiclinical research was performed, a database of stroke patients was created (Yu. Tunyan, H. Bakunts).

In the 1980s, epileptology began to develop as a new field of neuroscience (H. Muradyan, V. Darbinyan), an epileptic center equipped with special equipment was established. Much work has been done to identify, diagnose, treat and record patients with concussion syndrome.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain became widely used in Armenia in 1990, which played a stimulating role in the development of neurology. They have greatly improved the diagnosis and treatment of many neurological diseases. It became possible to diagnose neurological diseases early, the treatment of which was considered urgent.

Neuroscience began to develop through the touch of several professions, which enriched our knowledge of how the brain works. The method of electro neuro myography became widely used, which provided great progress in the study of neuromuscular diseases (G. Hovhannisyan, A. Grigoryan, B. Grigoryan).

The 21st century has brought its corrections in the direction of scientific work. Since strokes are still considered a primary health problem in Armenia, it is not surprising that many studies have been devoted to the study of changes in vascular coagulation, typical of vascular microcirculatory flow (G. Hovhannisyan and authors), stroke statistics (L. Gimoyan).

In recent years, several multi-years (five to twenty years) multicenter studies have been conducted on hereditary Huntington’s disease (A. Karapetyan, E. Gevorgyan), multiple sclerosis (H. Manvelyan, G. Hovhannisyan, M. Hakobyan, A. Sahakyan), dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (H. Manvelyan, H. Hambardzumyan), movement disorders – Parkinson’s syndrome (H. Manvelyan, G. Hovhannisyan). Opportunities were created to conduct fundamental studies in the best research centers and universities around the world, dedicated to the response of the brain’s own cellular immune system during brain tissue injuries, neurodegeneration, the impact of various pathogens on nerve tissue (H. Manvelyan).

Scientific work continues today in new directions related to newly expressed health problems: the prevalence of demyelinating diseases, the study of diagnostic and therapeutic features, the study of the natural reservoir and transmission of neuro-borreliosis or Lyme disease, as well as the study of prevalence and diagnostic methods, neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, a great deal of experience has been gained in the thrombolytic treatment of strokes, and the neurological problems associated with Covid-19 have been studied.

Modern Armenian neuroscience is integrated into relevant international organizations. Every year, Armenian neurologist-scientists publish at least five major works in world-renowned professional journals.

Since 2007 the Department of Neurology has been headed by Professor Hovhannes Manvelyan.

University education

The Department of Neurology conducts professional training on a 15-day cycle in a modular format for students of the medical faculty, the military medical faculty and on a 10-day cycle for students of the dental  faculty.

The teaching of the subject is carried out in the clinical departments of the department, where patients are examined, and clinical discussions are conducted. The curriculum is created for the relevant faculties, preserving all professional features. Dentists are taught the basics of neurology, emergency conditions and “Neurostomatology” – neurological symptoms of diseases of the face and oral cavity. Students learn the basics of neuroscience, the organization of the brain and methods of stimulating it.

Literature is presented in Armenian, Russian, and English languages.

A scientific group is constantly working in the department, and all clinical residents and many students are participating in the work. Group members gain experience in public speaking, preparation of reports, doing, formulation and publication of studies.

The current residency program of the Department of Neurology lasts for 3 years.

During the first year, the residents study the basics of topographic diagnostics, paraclinical methods of examination, participate in examinations and admission of professor․

The second year is dedicated to the study of related sciences: neuroimaging, pediatric neurology, neurophysiology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, etc.

The third year of training includes active seminar work, during which daily clinical discussions are conducted, residents doing self-administration of patients and present the reports at clinical conferences.

Continuity of studying in aspirant consists of three years. Currently, 50 doctors, including foreigners, are receiving professional education in the Department of Neurology. The department closely cooperate swith many international and European neurological federations, which allows several residents to be trained each year in leading European clinics (already 10 trainings in 2021-2022), as well as to participate in various neurological conferences.

The head of the chair, Professor Hovhannes Manvelyan, is also a member of the European Neurological Professional Examination Commission.

The chair often hosts students and interns who come abroad on an exchange basis.

The clinical bases of the department are:

• Neurological Service and Immediate Stroke Treatment Center,Astghik Medical Center
• Neurological Center of the Second Clinical Hospital
• Pain and Neurological Clinic, Kanaker-Zeytun Medical Center
• Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Erebuni Medical Center
• Department of Neurology of the First University Clinic

All bases are equipped with classrooms and rooms with appropriate equipment and conditions for teaching the subject.

The research work in the Department of Neurology is carried out in several directions:neurodegenerative diseases, dementia, cerebrovascular pathology, pain syndromes, multiple sclerosis,etc.

The staff and residents of the department are obligatorily published in domestic professional journals, present their theses at conferences organized in Armenia and abroad.

YSMU Department of Neurology closely cooperates with:

• University of California, San Francisco (USA),
• Sarajishvili Neurological Institute (Tbilisi, Georgia)
• Moscow Institute of Neurology (Russia),
• Federation of European Neurological Associations
• European Neurological Association

Resulting in joint research, clinical residents are trained in high-quality foreign clinics.