In Memoriam: Professor Giuseppe Nappi (1939 – 2026)

It is with a heavy heart that the European Headache Federation (EHF) shares the news of the passing of our esteemed former President and founding pillar, Professor Giuseppe Nappi. Professor Nappi’s extraordinary dedication to the field of headache research transformed how these debilitating disorders are diagnosed, understood, and treated across Europe and the globe.

In 1989, Professor Nappi (president of the Italian Headache Society) and Professor Agnoli (past-president of the Italian Headache Society) had the idea to create a European Headache Group, on behalf of the International Headache Society. Professor Nappi, Professor Agnoli and Dr. d'Andrea (member of the board of the Italian Headache Society, in charge of the relations with foreign headache societies) started having informal talks on this topic. An invitation letter to create a board was sent out to European colleagues who were working in the headache field. In the original letter from Pavia, November 10th, 1989, it was said that 'on behalf of the pan-European neurological society and the International Headache Society, we wish to create a European Headache Society (EHS) or a European Headache Federation (EHF)'. This was the start of a fundamental and independent Headache Federation in Europe.

As a foundational leader within our organization, Professor Nappi served as President of the European Headache Federation (EHF) from 1994 to 1996. During his tenure and throughout his decades of service, he worked tirelessly to advance EHF’s core mission: improving the lives of those affected by headache disorders by uniting scientific research, elevating clinical education, and expanding political and public awareness across the continent.

In his native Italy, his academic brilliance led him to serve as Full Professor of Neurology at both the University of Pavia and the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” alongside his long-standing role as the Scientific Director of the Casimiro Mondino National Neurological Institute. He was also a foundational force and former President of the Italian Society for the Study of Headaches (SISC).

Professor Nappi lived his life as a collaborative journey. He possessed a rare ability to bridge academic communities, support shared scientific values, and mentor generations of young neurologists who carry his flame forward today.

On behalf of the EHF Board of Directors, our national member societies, and the entire European headache community, we extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the Nappi family, his close colleagues, and his former students. We have lost a true master, but his enduring legacy will continue to guide our mission and bring relief to patients for generations to come.

Christian Lampl and Antoinette Maassen van den Brink