English

It is our great honor to host the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neuroradiology. Together with Vice President Dr. Toshiaki Taoka, we are preparing this event to be intellectually meaningful and enjoyable for all participants.
Our theme, "Beyond the Mystical Barrier," embodies several layers of meaning.
First, it challenges us to transcend the conceptual boundaries we have built around ourselves—be they technological, scientific, or even psychological. In neuroimaging, we often rely on standardized sequences such as T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR. While these allow comparability across institutions and scanners, they are but points in the vast universe of MRI possibilities. We encourage exploring new dimensions beyond these norms.
Second, the "Mystical Barrier" also refers to anatomical and physiological boundaries such as the blood-brain barrier, the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and others. Recent discoveries, such as the SLYM (subarachnoid lymphatic-like membrane) as the "fourth meningeal layer," remind us that even the most basic anatomical knowledge is evolving. This underscores the ever-expanding potential of neuroradiological science.
Finally, we hope to break the barriers between people. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for face-to-face communication have decreased. However, it is often the spontaneous conversations—over coffee or dinner—that lead to groundbreaking ideas. This meeting will be a place to reconnect, share ideas, and foster new collaborations.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nagoya, a city with excellent accessibility and vibrant academic energy. Join us in expanding the future of neuroradiology.

Shinji Naganawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University

JSNR has been my home academic society since the early days of my career. I am honored to serve as Vice President and Executive Secretary for this prestigious meeting.
The theme “Beyond the Mystical Barrier” also speaks to the role of disruptive innovation—those paradigm-shifting ideas that break free from conventional frameworks. While incremental improvements are vital, JSNR has a proud history of pioneering novel approaches and disseminating original findings from Japan to the world. We hope to continue this tradition.
At the same time, every barrier implies an incubator—a nurturing environment that protects and fosters growth. We hope this society continues to serve as such a space, especially for young investigators. I personally remember how encouraging it was when a senior member recalled my presentation from a previous year. Small gestures like remembering young researcher’s name or acknowledging their research can be tremendously motivating. Let us all support the next generation in crossing their own boundaries.
With your continued participation and collaboration, we believe this meeting will honor our traditions while embracing new challenges.

Toshiaki Taoka, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Innovative Biomedical Visualization (iBMV),
Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University