The division of Neuropathology at Duke Medical Center has a long tradition of excellence in diagnostic and experimental pathology. Beginning in 1962 under the leadership of Dr. F. Stephen Vogel, this division has produced many leaders in Neuropathology and continues today with Dr. Roger McLendon (Director), Dr. Thomas Cummings, Dr. Christine Hulette, and Dr. Darell Bigner. Our division emphasizes a close collaborative relationship with the Duke divisions of Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Neuroradiology, a relationship best exemplified in the most recently published Sixth Edition of Russell and Rubinstein's Pathology of Tumors of the Nervous System, jointly edited by Duke's Darell Bigner and Roger McLendon along with M.D. Anderson's Janet Bruner. Each year our service examines greater than 250 autopsy brains, 60 nerve biopsies, 50 muscle biopsies, and 450 neurosurgical cases, in addition to 350 consultations (predominately involving tumors of the central nervous system). This experience is heavily drawn on in the diagnostic atlas, Pathology of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. Furthermore, our program maintains highly productive experimental neuropathology programs in neuro-oncology (Drs. Darell Bigner, Sandra Bigner, Dr. Thomas Cummings, and Roger McLendon) and neurotoxicology/neurodegenerative diseases (Dr. Christine Hulette). Neurodegenerative disease is mentored by Christine Hulette, M.D. Duke is recognized by the American Board of Pathology. Graduates of the training program play major roles in academic medical centers across the United States. Most of our trainees are members of American Association of Neuropathologists .
Our mission can be summarized as, "We seek in order to teach"; our training program in Neuropathology seeks to prepare independent investigators who can compete successfully for NIH grant support as well as provide excellent diagnostic service and teaching.
Neuropathologists participate in teaching medical students, as part of the medical school Pathology Core course (PTH200). Notes and images from these lectures are available below for individual study and review.
