EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 12 PM ET, February 21, 2012

Cleveland Clinic Neurologist Awarded Dystel Prize for MS Research

NEW ORLEANS -

The and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are awarding the 2012 John Dystel Prize for MS Research to Richard M. Ransohoff, MD, with the Cleveland Clinic. Ransohoff, a member of the ��ɫ���� and Associate Editor of , the Academy’s medical journal, will receive the award at the Academy’s 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, April 21-28, 2012. The Annual Meeting is the world’s 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. The John Dystel Prize recognizes a significant contribution to research in the understanding, treatment or prevention of (MS). Ransohoff’s research has focused on the central nervous system, which includes the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. “This award recognizes the superb research done by my colleagues in my laboratory, and I'm proud to receive it on their behalf. Support by the National Institutes of Health, the National MS Society and generous individual donors showed confidence in our research and inspired our work,” said Ransohoff. “During the past 15 years, we’ve identified several new molecules as potential targets for MS treatments by studying how MS lesions begin in the central nervous system. Our research fortifies the rationale for developing new MRI techniques to visualize brain damage in MS and will help us to identify new treatments to address inflammation in the central nervous system.” The award is presented by the ��ɫ���� and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is made possible through a special contribution from the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Learn more about Ransohoff’s contributions to MS research and the Dystel Prize at . “Professor Ransohoff’s research has uncovered far-reaching insights on immune activity at work in the brain and spinal cord during the MS disease process,” said Timothy Coetzee, PhD, Chief Research Officer for the National MS Society. “He’s a distinguished thought leader whose discoveries could pave the way for totally new approaches to treating the disease.” Learn more about multiple sclerosis at .

The ��ɫ���� is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.

Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at or find us on , , , and .