The History of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) reflects nearly six decades of advancing neurochemistry as a global scientific discipline. Founded in 1967, ISN has grown into the leading international society dedicated to understanding the molecular and cellular basis of nervous system function. From its first conference in Strasbourg and the acquisition of the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) in 1970, to the establishment of major educational initiatives, grants, and global partnerships, ISN has continuously supported scientific excellence and international collaboration. Through its biennial meetings, schools, young scientist programs, and outreach initiatives, ISN has shaped the development of neurochemistry worldwide. Explore the key milestones, historic figures, and defining moments that have built ISN into the global neurochemistry community it represents today.
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Founded in 1967 as ISN Limited in the United Kingdom (Figure 1), the International Society for Neurochemistry began with a clear global vision. The first elected officers - Roger Rossiter (Canada) as Chairman/ President, Jordi Folch-Pi (USA) as Secretary, and Derek Richter (UK) as Treasurer (Figure 2) - laid the foundations for what would become the leading international society in neurochemistry. They were soon joined by many distinguished neurochemists who continued to shape and strengthen the Society (Figure 3; Figure 4). The composition of the first ISN Council (Figure 5) already reflected the Society’s international ambition and commitment to advancing neurochemistry worldwide.
The first ISN Conference was held in Strasbourg, France, in 1967 (Figure 6). Since then, ISN biennial meetings have been held regularly in uneven years, bringing together neurochemists worldwide (Figure 7; Figure 8).
In 1970, ISN became the owner of the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) (Figure 9), following an agreement with its first publisher, Pergamon Press. The first issue under ISN ownership was published in January 1970, marking an important step in strengthening the Society’s role in scientific publishing in neurochemistry.
In 1977, Jordi Folch-Pi became the first Historian of the International Society for Neurochemistry. Since then, nine Historians have served ISN (Figure 10), documenting the Society’s development and the history of the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC). Since 1986, the ISN Historian has also served as Archivist, overseeing the ISN Archive (Figure 11).
In 1984, ISN began supporting small neurochemistry conferences worldwide following the establishment of the ISN (Small) Conference Committee. This marked the Society’s first financial support initiative, laying the foundation for many global funding programs that followed.
In 1987, ISN adopted its current logo (Figure 14), establishing a visual identity that continues to represent the International Society for Neurochemistry worldwide.
In 1989, ISN began supporting young scientists from developing countries through a dedicated committee that later became the ISN Committee for Aid and Education in Neurochemistry (CAEN). This initiative strengthened the Society’s commitment to global education and capacity building in neurochemistry.
In 1989, ISN introduced travel grants for young neurochemists, enabling them to attend the Society’s biennial meetings. This initiative expanded access to international scientific exchange and strengthened support for early-career researchers in neurochemistry.
In 1991, the first ISN Young Scientist Lectureship Awards (YSLA) were presented at the Sydney meeting in Australia. Since then, outstanding young neurochemists have been honored every two years with an invitation to deliver a YSLA lecture at the ISN biennial meeting (Figure 15).
In 1993, the first ISN Advanced School was held in Montpellier, France (Figure 16). Since then, ISN Advanced Schools have become a regular educational initiative linked to the Society’s biennial meetings (Figure 17).
In 2001, ISN signed a new publishing contract with Blackwell for the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC). Blackwell Publishing later became part of Wiley, continuing JNC’s development as a leading journal in neurochemistry.
In 2007, ISN began providing financial support for the regular annual and biennial meetings of its regional societies, including APSN, ASN and ESN. This initiative strengthened international collaboration and reinforced ISN’s commitment to the global neurochemistry community.
In 2007, ISN launched the ISN School Initiative to provide financial support for international neurochemistry schools. This program expanded the Society’s commitment to education and global capacity building in neurochemistry.
In 2009, ISN established a Business Secretariat to strengthen the Society’s administrative structure and support its growing international activities in neurochemistry.
In 2010, ISN relocated from the United Kingdom to the United States and was registered as ISN Incorporated, a nonprofit organization in the U.S. From 2011 onward, the Society operated solely from the United States.
In 2015, ISN established the Young Scientists Steering Committee (YSSC) to strengthen the involvement of early-career researchers within the Society and support the next generation of neurochemists.
In 2016, the first ISN-JNC Flagship School was held in Alpbach, Austria (Figure 18). This marked the beginning of a new ISN initiative dedicated to educating and training young neurochemists worldwide (Figure 19).
In 2017, the ISN-ESN Meeting in Paris, France, celebrated 150 years of neurochemistry, alongside the 60th anniversary of the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC), the 50th anniversary of ISN, and the 40th anniversary of ESN (Figure 20).
In 2019, the first Marthe Vogt Lecture was delivered by Juana Pasquini (Argentina) at the ISN-ASN Meeting in Montreal, Canada. Established to recognize outstanding contributions by female scientists to neurochemistry, the award highlights excellence and leadership in the field (Figure 21).
In 2019, ISN launched the Career Development Grant Program and the International Travel Support Program, expanding its financial support for researchers and strengthening global participation in neurochemistry.
In 2019, ISN introduced the Child Care Support Initiative, later expanded into the Caretaker Support Initiative. This program enhances inclusivity by supporting researchers with caregiving responsibilities and promoting equal participation in neurochemistry meetings and activities.
In 2022, ISN founded the History Committee to preserve and promote the Society’s heritage. The committee members met in person for the first time at the Porto meeting in 2023 (Figure 22), strengthening efforts to document the history of ISN and neurochemistry.
In 1977, ISN Limited was registered as a charity in the United Kingdom under the Charities Act 1960 (Figure 12), formally establishing its legal status as a non-profit scientific society.
In 1980, Raven Press became the new publisher of the Journal (JNC). This change significantly increased the journal’s annual revenues, providing the financial foundation for ISN to expand its initiatives and support the international neurochemistry community (Figure 13).
In 1997, ISN held its first joint meeting with a regional society, the American Society for Neurochemistry (ASN). Since 1997, ISN biennial meetings have been regularly organized in partnership with regional sister societies, strengthening international collaboration in neurochemistry.
Over the years, ISN Historians and Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) have documented the development of the Society and the evolution of neurochemistry in a series of scholarly articles. The publications below provide detailed historical perspectives on ISN, JNC, and the broader field of neurochemistry.
1. Folch-Pi J (1979) A Brief History of the Society. ISN Membership Directory 1980
2. McIlwain H (1985) In the beginning - To celebrate 20 years of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN). J. Neurochem. 45, 1-10.
3. Curzon G (1993) The History of Neurochemistry as revealed by the Journal of Neurochemistry. J. Neurochem. 61, 780-786.
4. Bachelard H (1993) 25 Years of The International Society for Neurochemistry. J. Neurochem. 61, Suppl, S287-S307.
5. Turner A.J., Nalivaeva N.N., Fonnum F., Tipton K.F., Hausmann L., Schulz J.B. (2016) Reflections on 60 years of publications of the Journal of Neurochemistry. J. Neurochem. 139 (Suppl.), 7-16.
6. Suzuki K., Edelson A., Iversen L.L., Hausmann L., Schulz J.B., Turner A.J. (2016) A lerned society´s perspective on publishing. J. Neurochem. 139 (Suppl.), 17-23.
7. Boullerne AI, Foley P, Turner AJ, Johnston GA, Beart PM (2020) The origin and early history of neurochemistry and its societies. J. Neurochem. 152, 8-28.
