FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 23, 2006

University of Arizona Professor Emeritus to be Awarded the Dystel Prize for MS Research

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St. Paul, Minn., – William Sibley, MD, will be honored with the 2006 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research for his work in multiple sclerosis (MS). Sibley will receive the award during the American Academy of Neurology’s 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., held April 1 – 8. Sibley is professor emeritus of neurology of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The John Dystel Prize recognizes a significant contribution to research in the understanding, treatment, or prevention of multiple sclerosis.

Sibley’s research has indicated that the principal risk factor for MS is common viral infections.

“Now that better and more rapid viral culture methods are available, they should be employed to identify viruses that commonly precede attacks of MS,” Sibley said. “If the offending viruses, or groups of viruses, can be identified, immunization could alter the course of the disease.”

This prize is made possible through a special contribution from the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The 58th Annual Meeting takes place in the San Diego Convention Center. It is the world’s largest annual gathering of neurologists.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 19,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, autism and multiple sclerosis.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com.

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