FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <\/p>\n
Newswise \u2014 NEW ORLEANS \u2013 The American Academy of Neurology and the ALS Association are awarding the 2012 Sheila Essey Award: An Award for ALS Research to Christopher Shaw, MBChB, MD, FRACP, with the Institute of Psychiatry at King\u2019s College London. Shaw will receive the award during the Academy\u2019s 64th Annual Meeting, April 21-28, 2012, in New Orleans. The Annual Meeting is the world\u2019s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 10,000 attendees and more than 2,300 scientific presentations on the latest research advance in brain disease. <\/p>\n
The Essey Award recognizes individuals who have made significant research contributions in the search for the cause, prevention of and cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. The $25,000 prize is to be used toward continuing ALS research. ALS is a motor neuron disease which is characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord leading to muscle weakness. People with ALS eventually become paralyzed and die from respiratory failure on average three years after symptoms first appear. <\/p>\n
Shaw is receiving the award for his research investigating mutated genes for answers as to how and why some people get ALS. Many mutated genes increase disease risk by causing toxic proteins to form clumps in the brain, which causes neurodegeneration. Shaw\u2019s research has focused on a specific toxic protein called TDP-43, which is found in about 95 percent of all people with ALS. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly through a better understanding of the event underlying the ALS disease process can we identify new therapies and discover drugs to alter the course of this terrible disease,\u201d said Shaw. <\/p>\n
Sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the ALS Association, this award is supported through the philanthropy of the Essey family. <\/p>\n
Learn more about ALS at http:\/\/www.aan.com\/patients<\/a>. <\/p>\n The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson\u2019s disease and multiple sclerosis. <\/p>\n For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http:\/\/www.aan.com<\/a> or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. <\/p>\n Comment\/Share More: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Newswise \u2014 NEW ORLEANS \u2013 The American Academy of Neurology and the ALS Association are awarding the 2012 Sheila Essey Award: An Award for ALS Research to Christopher Shaw, MBChB, MD, FRACP, with the Institute of Psychiatry at King\u2019s College London. Shaw will receive the award during the Academy\u2019s 64th Annual Meeting, April 21-28, 2012, in New Orleans. The Annual Meeting is the world\u2019s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 10,000 attendees and more than 2,300 scientific presentations on the latest research advance in brain disease Continue reading
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\nLondon Neurologist Wins $25,000 Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"