Robert Baloh, M.D., Ph.D. has received the S. Weir Mitchell Award from the American Academy of Neurology, for work in the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders conducted with Jeffrey Milbrandt, M.D., Ph.D.  The S. Weir Mitchell Award is presented annually for the best neuroscience project by a physician who has recently completed training in neurology. Dr. Baloh is an Instructor in the Department of Neurology, Hope Center, and the Neuromuscular Division.

AAN Honors Washington University School of Medicine
Neurologist for Nerve Disorder Research 

ST. PAUL, Minn – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2007 S. Weir Mitchell Award to Robert H. Baloh, MD, PhD, with the Washington University School of Medicine, for his research in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a hereditary peripheral nerve disorder. Baloh, member of the AAN, will receive the award during the AAN’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, held April 28 – May 5, 2007.

The S. Weir Mitchell Award recognizes an individual for basic research in neuroscience by physicians in clinical neurology training programs.

Baloh’s work used a model of CMT in a Petri dish, and found there was disruption in the movement of mitochondria, which are mobile power plants within cells. Mutations in the gene Mitofusin 2, which are present in a subset of CMT patients, caused problems in the transport of mitochondria up and down axons of the cultured neurons, without directly altering energy levels in the cells.

“Receiving this award is a great honor and helps bring awareness to this research,” Baloh said. “These findings may open the door to new therapeutic avenues in CMT and possibly other more common diseases, such as diabetic neuropathy.”

The 59th Annual Meeting takes place in Boston’s Hynes Convention Center. It is the world’s largest annual gathering of neurologists.

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

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.