TOURETTE SYNDROME
 ASSOCIATION SCIENTIST HONORED FOR
                BRAIN RESEARCH               

Dr. Neal Swerdlow Receives Prestigious International
                           Award for Scientific Findings

Neal Swerdlow, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the Tourette Syndrome Association’s Scientific Advisory Board, has been chosen as a co-recipient of the 2002 Joel Elkes International Award of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. The award is in recognition of the significant contributions he has made to improve scientific understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of behavioral disorders.                                Neal Swerdlow, MD,PhD
 

The Elkes Award is given annually to young scientists – under the age of 45 – who have made outstanding contributions that further the understanding of processes as they affect mental function and behavior in disease and well being.
 

As Chairman of the Tourette Syndrome Association’s Scientific Advisory Board since 1996 and a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Swerdlow is credited with substantial advances in probing attention factors in humans and animals. Specifically, he has shown how inherited abnormalities in neural circuitry can contribute to a number of psychiatric disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
 

Taking the lead on TSA’s research efforts, Dr. Swerdlow has developed a 10-year strategic plan that has enabled TSA to partner closely with the scientific community and maximize its scientific and research opportunities for this very complex and challenging disorder. Moreover, he was instrumental in bringing together brain disorder experts from around the world to launch unique and exciting multi-disciplinary research into relevant fields such as molecular biology, behavioral science and neuroimaging. 
 

Judit Ungar, president of the Tourette Syndrome Association, said, "We are indeed proud that Dr. Swerdlow has been given this extraordinary honor. We have long benefited from his dedication to scientific research, his rigorous standards and his commitment to neurobiological research. She added, "His leadership has strongly influenced the relentless drive to unravel the mysteries of Tourette syndrome."

Sue Levi-Pearl, Vice President of Medical & Scientific Programs, said, “Dr. Swerdlow’s strategic vision and skill in bringing together experts from across the globe for multi-disciplinary research has served TSA well. We’re extremely proud and lucky to have such a gifted and respected leader in our organization.”

Dr. Swerdlow shared the award with Dr. Daniel C. Javitt, a professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine in New York.

 Founded in 1972, the TSA celebrates 30 years of service to the Tourette sydrome community. As the only national, voluntary health organization for people with TS, the association hews to its three-pronged mission of education, research and service. TSA has 45+ chapters and more than 300 support groups throughout the country.