A history of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (1957-2004)

Recognition that one of the essential prerequisites of successful neuro-psychopharmacological research is a continuous dialogue between clinicians and basic scientists led to the founding of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP) in Zurich on September 2, 1957. At the time, CINP was the only association in neuro-psychopharmacology. It was hoped that by organizing biennial congresses, it would facilitate the interaction among the many disciplines involved in the new field. It was also envisaged that discussion of findings in translational research would provide guidance for developing more selective and thereby more effective psychotropic drugs. These expectations were not fulfilled. In the years that followed, major developments in neuropharmacology without parallel development in the methodology of clinical investigations, created a widening gap between neuro- and psychopharmacology. Clinical interpretations of neuropharmacological findings filled in the missing information from translational research. In the 1980s, to facilitate the dissemination of these interpretations, CINP established Travel Awards for Young Investigators to assist them in attending the biennial meetings. In the 1990s, the college extended its activities by organizing other meetings, including president's workshops, regional meetings, educational seminars and other programs. By the end of the 20th century CINP was a legal entity that was registered in Switzerland with domicile in Zurich. It had also become a financially secure organization with sufficient funds to support administration and coordination. In the early years of the 21st century CINP established a central office and a congress-organizing group. To meet the needs of its steadily growing membership from Asia, Australia and the Latin Americas, CINP has been regionalized. In order to regain its relevance to all its members it is hoped that CINP will return to its roots.