Neuroanesthesiology: building the path to superior clinical care through research and education

Since its inception in the late 1940s, the subspecialty of neuroanesthesiology has experienced tremen dous advances through basic laboratory and clinical research, education, strong leadership, technologi cal breakthroughs, and the development of neuro anesthesiology-specific subspecialty societies [1]. In principle, the neuroanesthesiologist plays a critical role in providing perioperative care for the neuro surgical or neurologically injured patient, and requires both outstanding clinical training in gen eral anesthesiology as well as an in-depth under standing and appreciation of the many unique features that are inherently specific to this patient population, their underlying neurophysiology, and the surgical procedure.