What Is the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Website aan.com?
Updated
aan.com is the official website of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), a professional organization for neurologists whose stated mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. It is a reference and membership hub for neurology professionals, and it also publishes a patient-facing brain health section. It is not a general health-information site, a symptom checker, or a place to book a clinical appointment.
Who the site is for
The site serves two distinct audiences, and which part you use depends on which one you are:
- Neurologists, trainees, and practice staff — the main audience. Content covers research news, education, certification, billing and coding, advocacy, and career resources.
- Patients, caregivers, and the general public — served through a separate brain health destination described on the homepage as featuring evidence-based articles, resources, and stories vetted by AAN member experts.
If you are looking for a diagnosis or treatment advice for a specific person, this is not the right starting point; the patient section is general education, not clinical guidance.
What you can find on aan.com
The homepage organizes content into a few clear areas:
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Latest News | Findings, research, and news affecting neurology and neuroscience |
| AAN publications | Entry points to the Neurology journal, Neurology Today, Continuum, and a Brain Health Podcast |
| Education | Certification pathways, exam registration (e.g., AAN RITE), and fellowship program accreditation news |
| Advocacy | Policy updates, including congressional activity and Action Alerts |
| Membership | Join or renew, with member benefits such as career resources, networking, and events |
| Events | Conference listings, including the AAN Fall Conference and add-on on-demand access |
| Career Center | Job search guidance for neurology roles |
The publications section is the most useful part for non-members: journal and news content is where current research and professional commentary surface.
How to use it well
- Decide your goal first. For research or professional news, start with Latest News or the publications section. For patient-oriented brain health material, use the dedicated brain health site linked from the homepage.
- Check the date and source. News items summarize studies and policy; the underlying journal article or official announcement is the authoritative version.
- Expect membership gating in some areas. The site promotes membership renewal and member benefits, and some resources are framed as member services. The homepage does not state which individual items are free, so verify access before relying on a specific page.
- Use the Billing & Coding section only if you work in a practice. It is a professional operations resource, not consumer content.
Common sticking points
- Confusing the organization with a clinic. AAN is a professional academy; it does not provide care.
- Treating news summaries as clinical evidence. Homepage news items are brief; follow the link to the journal or official statement before citing anything.
- Assuming everything is open. Membership and event registration are commercial offerings. Pricing is not published on the homepage, so check the relevant page rather than assuming free access.
Bottom line
Use aan.com when you need authoritative neurology news, publication entry points, professional education and policy information, or the AAN's patient-facing brain health material. Skip it if you need personal medical advice or a directory of practicing clinicians.