Michael Brainin

Michael Brainin is a renowned neurologist and Full Professor at the Danube University Krems, Austria. He served as Head and Chair of the Department for Clinical Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine until his retirement in 2020. Previously, he held leadership roles at the University Hospital Tulln and Gugging Hospital, where he pioneered Austria's first acute stroke unit in 1997. His career includes visiting positions at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital (NY, USA), NIH, and Paris’ La Pitié-Sâlpétrière Hospital.

Education & Career:

• MD from University of Vienna (1976)
• Residency at Landeskrankenhaus Gugging (Neurology/Psychiatry)
• Postdoc at University of Vienna (1991)

Research Focus: Acute stroke treatment, thrombolysis, neuroprotection, post-stroke cognitive decline, and global stroke prevention strategies. He co-developed the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and Post Stroke Checklist (PSC), and led the ASPIS trial on post-stroke cognitive decline prevention.

Leadership & Awards: He co-founded the Austrian Stroke Society and held global leadership roles in the European and World Stroke Organizations. His honors include multiple honorary doctorates, the Marinescu Award, and the Daniel Lackland Excellence Award for hypertension advocacy.

Global Impact: Spearheaded initiatives like the 'Cut Stroke in Half' program, advised governments on stroke strategies, and co-founded the World Stroke Academy. He supported stroke specialist training in Vietnam, China, and other countries, and championed UN/WHO collaborations on stroke and dementia prevention.