FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON April 24, 2007

Los Angeles Researcher Honored by AAN Foundation for Autism Research

Brent L. Fogel, MD, PhD, Receives 2007 AAN Foundation Clinical Research Training Fellowship

ST. PAUL, Minn -

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation has awarded Brent L. Fogel, MD, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and member of the AAN, a 2007 Clinical Research Training Fellowship. Fogel’s research focuses on autism in children. He will receive the award during the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, held April 28 – May 5, 2007. The two-year fellowship is designed to support a young neurologist conducting clinical research in a mentored environment. Fogel will be joining the UCLA Department of Neurology Neuro-Genetics Program and the Center for Autism Research and Treatment. Fogel’s research examines genetic factors related to autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), which affects one in 150 children. The disorder can cause significant lifelong disability as seen in the most severe form of autism. “Autism is known to be heritable, but the genetics are quite complex, likely involving multiple gene interactions and contributing effects from environmental and other factors,” said Fogel. Fogel is examining a gene called Fox-1 that is suspected in contributing toward the development of this type of autism. “We propose that Fox-1 is an important regulatory factor in early neurodevelopment and that impairment of this function increases the risk of ASD and possibly other neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders,” said Fogel. The fellowship also provides tuition reimbursement for education in clinical research methodology. The fellowship is supported by the AAN Foundation Corporate Roundtable. The 59th Annual Meeting takes place in the Hynes Convention Center. It is the world’s largest annual gathering of neurologists.

The American Academy of Neurology Foundation works with the American Academy of Neurology to support education and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of neurologic disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 20,000 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 Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. For more information, visit www.neurofoundation.org.