Ammar Al-Chalabi, a professor of neurology and complex disease genetics at King’s College London, recently accepted the Sheila Essey Award for his work in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research.
The American Academy of Neurology presented Al-Chalabi with the award in Vancouver in April of this year. Together, the ALS Association and the American Academy of Neurology have selected the recipients since 1996.
The award is worth $50,000 and is named after Sheila Essey. Al-Chalabi accepted the award from Sheila Essey’s husband, Dick. It recognizes the major research contributions of scientists as they search for the cause of ALS as well as preventions and cures.
“Dr. Al-Chalabi is a brilliant clinical scientist and a world leader in the complex genetic of ALS,” Essey said.
ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, impacts the nerve cells located in the spinal cord and the brain. People who have ALS gradually lose the control and initiation of their muscles. The disease typically leads to paralysis and death within two to five years after the patients receive their diagnosis. Researchers have not yet discovered why veterans are two times more likely to develop ALS than average citizens.
It is crucial to develop a cure for ALS because, as of today, none exists. Furthermore, just one drug is available that slightly extends an ALS patient’s lifespan.
