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Jean Martin Charcot

Jean Martin Charcot, born in Paris, France in 1825, is considered by many to be the founder of modern neurology.

In 1868, as Professor of Neurology at the University of Paris, he made the first diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and his clinical-pathological definition is still used today.

For much of his career Charcot worked and taught at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris where in 1882 he established a neurology clinic, the first of its kind in Europe.

Since 1969, the Charcot Award has recognised the significance of Jean Martin Charcot's studies into neurological diseases and his pioneering work which led him to be among the first to match specific anatomical lesions to a variety of neurological disorders, including MS.

Current winner

The 2009 Charcot Award Winner is Prof John Prineas from the University of Sydney, Australia.

The Award

• MSIF gives the Charcot Award every two years for a lifetime achievement in outstanding research into the understanding or treatment of MS.
• The winner is invited to give the Charcot Lecture at the biennial MSIF Council Meeting and European Committee of Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) meetings. In 2007, the ECTRIMS meeting took place in Prague, Czech Republic, between 11-14 October. The 2009 ECTRIMS meeting will be held in September in Düsseldorf, Germany.
• The award covers the winner's travel costs, accommodation and expenses to attend the above meetings, with a maximum grant of UK £6,000. In addition, the winner is awarded UK £1,500.

Nomination of candidates

Candidates are nominated to the MSIF International Medical and Scientific Board's (IMSB) Executive Committee by IMSB members.

• Members of the research community wishing to nominate a candidate can email Dhia Chandraratna for the nomination form.
• Previous nominees may be re-nominated.
• If the Executive Committee decide that no suitable candidate has been nominated by the deadline, then no award will be made for a further two years.

Deadline

The deadline for nominations for the 2009 Charcot Award is 15 December 2008

Selection

The 2009 Charcot award winner is selected by the IMSB Executive committee and will be announced on 17 February 2009.

Past winners of the Charcot Award