Dear Colleagues,

The Local Organising Committee is very honoured that Lisbon has been selected as the host city for the 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of the ESMRMB.

Lisbon is a very old city with a strong university tradition. It was here that the first Portuguese university was founded in 1290. At the University of Lisbon, Egas Moniz became a Professor of Neurology and developed the technique of cerebral angiography, still used today in medical imaging. Unfortunately he did not receive his Nobel Prize for this technique but instead, for the controversial technique of prefrontal leucotomy.

The first MRI scanner in Portugal was installed in Lisbon in 1987 and since then we have witnessed a growing expansion of MRI systems all over the country.

The city is believed to have been inhabited by the Phoenicians from as early as 1200 BC and was an important roman town about 2000 years ago. In 1147, after it was conquered by the Moors, it became Portuguese. Later it became famous for being the town from which the Portuguese expeditions left to explore the globe.

Lisbon itself and its surroundings are culturally extremely rich with many ancient and modern monuments and buildings. There is furthermore a great selection of restaurants with fantastic food and great music. The beginning of October is considered the end of the summer season, so a great time is in store for everyone.

We sincerely hope that you will have a wonderful time in Lisbon and we are looking forward to welcoming you to our city in October 2012.


Prof. Dr. Mario Forjaz Secca
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee