Welcome Address

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of ECTRIMS, ACTRIMS and the Local Organizing Committee it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS).

These are exciting times for MS research, with diagnosis becoming more accurate, disease mechanisms more and more unraveled, and several new treatment options available. These exciting developments also pose new challenges. How can we personalize treatment? How can the risks of treatment be minimized? Do we understand neuro degeneration, and can we prevent or treat it? Leading international experts will present and discuss their newest insights on these and other topics.

This joint congress brings together thousands of scientists and clinicians from all over the world, all committed to understanding and better managing MS and related diseases. Integration of basic and clinical studies is crucial to understand disease mechanisms and to provide the answers to important questions, for example those related to neurodegeneration, one of the major unresolved problems in MS. The Scientific Program Committee has prepared a program which covers important basic and clinical concepts, new developments (and controversies) in MS diagnosis and treatment, as well as ‘hot topics’ focusing on emerging ideas.

Amsterdam is a natural choice for this Joint Triennial ECTRIMS / ACTRIMS Congress. Its name is derived from Amstellerdam, indicative of the city’s origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. Since, it has been a leading trading and cultural city, where art, commerce, creativity and tolerance are guiding principles. We hope that you will take time to explore the city and its many attractions:  the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, the restored facades of historic buildings representing all periods in its history, as well as the many markets and coffee shops.

We are looking forward to greeting you at the congress and look forward to the exciting science, enjoyable atmosphere, and many opportunities to meet with colleagues.

M. Clanet
ECTRIMS President

C. Polman
Chair ECTRIMS 2011