Medical Society to Honor Mayo Clinic Neuroscientist

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval County Medical Society will honor Zbigniew Wszolek, M.D., a neuroscientist at Mayo Clinic in Florida, for his work on understanding Perry syndrome, a genetic disorder that results in profound depression and parkinsonism.

Dr. Wszolek will be given the Beals Award for Medical Research in the "Original Investigations category, 1st Place," on Sept. 22 at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville.

The award specifically cites Dr. Wszolek's study, "Elucidating the Genetics and Pathology of Perry syndrome," which was published in the February 2010 edition of The Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

Dr. Wszolek has been a driving force behind international research efforts focused on Perry syndrome, which has only been described in 50 individuals in nine families worldwide. Although rare, the genetic mechanism implicated in the syndrome may help uncover the roots of a variety of neurological disorders as well as common depression and sleep issues, a hallmark of the disorder.

"I am honored to accept the Beals Award for Medical Research. This is a great achievement for our research team and distinguished collaborators," Dr. Wszolek says. "It is my hope that our research contributions will help provide a better understanding of complex neurological conditions and guide future studies. Many thanks to the Duval County Medical Society for promoting scientific research and acknowledging our efforts."

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