He taught a generation of students at the National Hospital, Queen Square, encouraging younger neurologists, training by example, lifting less gifted colleagues and reflecting with generosity and uncomplicated pride on their achievements. He used his position and influence unselfishly to further the needs of people with multiple sclerosis in particular, always bringing a wealth of experience and common sense to address the needs of patients and their carers. Ian McDonald is remembered as a great clinician, a scientist, and a dear friend.

Professor Ian McDonald, 73, completed his medical training at Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. He went on to specialise in neurology and completed further study at Queen Square National Hospital in London, UK. He received many professional awards and appointments over his 40-year career, including Harveian Librarian of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Institute of Neurology at University College London and most recently Emeritus Consultant Physician, Queen Square.

Prof McDonald’s contribution to the field of MS research is unparalleled. His initial area of research, completed in the 1960s in New Zealand, was the first to demonstrate that demyelination resulted in slowing conduction in nerves. This work provided new and valuable insights into the mechanisms of demyelination and has been the foundation of subsequent research in this area.

His second major contribution has been the development of the Visual Evoked Response and the recognition that delays in pattern evoked responses can provide invaluable information in optic neuritis in MS. This has now become a routine part of the investigation of MS.

Prof McDonald was also closely identified with the major contribution of Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI) to MS. He had the insight in the early 1980s to realise that MRI had the unique potential to demonstrate the pathological changes which occur in MS and as a result of his work and that of others, it is now established as the best test for supporting the diagnosis of MS.

The results of Prof McDonald’s studies were landmark breakthroughs in MS research, treatment and understanding. It is hard to appreciate now, when demyelination, Visual Evoked Potential and MRI are such familiar terms in relation to MS that is only over the last 30 years and through the work of Prof McDonald and his peers that they have become so.

Prof McDonald also gave hours of time and expertise to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF). He was a member of MSIF’s International Medical Advisory Board from 1980 and led this Board as its Chairman from 1999 to 2003. He was also the driving force behind the development of the MSIF project, the Sylvia Lawry Centre for MS Research, inspiring others to give their time, energy and funds to this vital undertaking.

Through his interest and knowledge of MS, Prof McDonald inspired researchers and clinicians throughout the world to improve their understanding and management of MS. He was recognised as a superb teacher and lecturer who welcomed, encouraged and guided the careers of students and colleagues from all over the world.

Also a gifted pianist, Ian McDonald is especially remembered as a friend and as a mentor, and as one colleague has said, “Ian will be with us any time that we speak to our patients.”

MSIF
19 December