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hi all i think this belongs under the heading 'money can't buy me love' janet -------------------------------------------------------- Organization: University of Saskatchewan Communications Email: [log in to unmask] Released: May 23, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, May 23, 2002 2002-05-25-OTHER Parkinson's Investigator To Receive Distinguished Researcher Award A University of Saskatchewan neurologist -- one of the world's foremost investigators of Parkinson's disease -- will receive the Distinguished Researcher Award at the May 30th convocation ceremony. The award carries a $1,000 prize and recognizes a U of S faculty member who has made a major contribution to knowledge through research and publication. "Prof. Ali Rajput's work in Parkinson's disease has been recognized by national and international bodies and has led to some new standards of practice in neurology," said Michael Corcoran, U of S Vice-President Research. Dr. Rajput has done substantial research on levodopa, the first effective long-term treatment for Parkinson's disease. He was the first to discover that the drug prolongs life, is not toxic to humans, and that high-dose treatment is less beneficial than lower doses. His work has settled controversies about possible toxic side effects, enabling physicians to prescribe levodopa in appropriate cases without hesitation. This has improved the quality of life for thousands of Parkinson's patients. Rajput recently discovered a compound in the brain cells of Parkinson's patients that could be related to the cause of the disease. He has also done significant clinical research on Alzheimer's disease that has potential applications for helping both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. Through his extensive work, prevention of Parkinson's has become a possibility. Throughout his career, Rajput has balanced clinical practice with teaching, administrative duties, and research, acting as a mentor and collaborator to faculty, residents, and students. "He is not 'just a researcher' who lets others carry the more mundane, but necessary activities of the Department," says pharmacology department head Thomas Wilson. "He has, for 35 years, been the quintessential academic physician." Rajput has been a tireless advocate for people with Parkinson's. He brought levodopa to the province when patients had no access to the drug. He helped found the Saskatchewan Parkinson's Disease Foundation and is a member of the World Health Organization's working group on Parkinson's. He also set up a Movement Disorder Clinic at Royal University Hospital and in Regina. He has worked on national and international committees, and has published numerous book chapters, articles, and papers. He is a reviewer for many professional journals and granting agencies. He is also in demand as a consultant, guest lecturer, and media resource on Parkinson's disease and research. Rajput earned Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees at the University of Sind, Pakistan and a Master of Science degree in neurology at the University of Michigan. With the exception of a one-year sabbatical atthe Mayo Clinic, he has spent his 35-year career at the U of S. He has been honored with many awards including the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1993, the Order of Canada (Officer) in 1997, the Morton Schulman Award from the Parkinson Society of Canada in 2001, and the 2002 Distinguished Canadian award from the Seniors' University Group at the University of Regina. Rajput served as head of the Division of Neurology from 1985 to 2001. He is also an associate member of the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. -30- For more information, contact: Dr. Ali Rajput Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan (306) 966-8009 Kathryn Warden U of S Research Communications Officer Office of the Vice-President (Research) University of Saskatchewan (306) 966-2506 [log in to unmask] http://www.usask.ca/research/ "Investing in Ideas: U of S Research" http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20020523-2.html janet paterson: an akinetic rigid subtype, albeit primarily perky, parky pd: 55/41/37 cd: 55/44/43 tel: 613 256 8340 email: [log in to unmask] smail: 375 Country Street, Almonte, Ontario, Canada, K0A 1A0 a new voice website: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn