Kasarskis Honored with 2010 Forbes Norris Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2011) − Neurologist Dr. Edward Kasarskis of the University of Kentucky has received the 2010 Forbes Norris award presented by the International Alliance of the ALS/MND Associations.

  Kasarskis has spent the majority of his academic career at UK where he is currently Vice Chair of the Department of Neurology in the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute.

According to the ALS/MND Association, "It is Kasarskis' role as Chief of Neurology at the Veterans Administration Medical Service in Kentucky which prompted his interest in 'Gulf War Syndrome' in returning veterans, which has resulted in his work with the Persian Gulf ALS Cooperative Study and as chair of the Persian Gulf ALS Review."

  The Forbes Norris Award is presented to those who have shown significant effort in the two major areas of management of and research into ALS/MND to benefit those living with the disease. Motor neuron disease (MND) is a term used to encompass a number of illnesses characterized by progressive and rapid degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases are generically referred to as MND in Europe and ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in the United States.

The International Alliance of ALS/MND was founded in 1992 to provide a forum for healthcare providers and researchers to exchange on all aspects of the disease ranging from management of care to providing support through networking and sharing the development of ideas through good practice. The goal of the International Alliance of ALS/MND is to encourage the exchange of information between the worldwide associations. The alliance consists of more than 40 patient support and advocacy groups from more than 50 countries.