FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON April 14, 2009

AAN Foundation Announces Fellowship for Myasthenia Gravis Research in 2010

SEATTLE -

The ��ɫ���� (AAN) Foundation and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) are pleased to announce the creation of a three-year Clinician Scientist Development Fellowship Award to support research related to myasthenia gravis. The deadline for applying is October 1, 2009. The $240,000 fellowship will be awarded to the recipient over a three-year period. The AAN Foundation/MGFA Clinician Scientist Development Fellowship is designed to recognize the importance of excellent clinical research and encourage young investigators in clinical studies with the goal of providing better treatment, prevention or cure for the disorder. “This substantial award will allow for the necessary support for new discoveries by a remarkable young clinician scientist,” said Foundation Chair Austin J. Sumner, MD, FAAN. “The AAN Foundation is committed to escalating the role of neurological research by contributing to innovative study designs.” “The partnership represents an exciting opportunity for MGFA to leverage our resources as we look for ways to improve the daily lives of individuals with myasthenia gravis and develop the next generation of researchers and clinicians,” said Tor Holtan, MGFA Chief Executive. The fellowship includes tuition reimbursement for education in clinical research methodology. The award will be formally presented at the 62nd AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto in April 2010. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that affects voluntary muscles. Common symptoms can include a drooping eyelid, blurred or double vision, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, weakness in the arms and legs, chronic muscle fatigue and difficulty breathing. In the United States, roughly 20 of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with MG, and there is currently no known cure for the disorder. Myasthenia gravis occurs in all races, both genders, and at any age, and is not thought to be directly inherited.

The ��ɫ����, an association of more than 21,000 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 epilepsy, dystonia, migraine, Huntington’s disease, and dementia. For more information about the ��ɫ���� Foundation, visit www.aan.com/foundation.