Newswise — WEST HARTFORD, Conn., November 27, 2012 – Renzo Guerrini, M.D., Director and Professor of Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children’s Hospital, Italy, has been named recipient of the 2012 Epilepsy Research Recognition Award for Clinical Science conferred by the American Epilepsy Society (AES). The award recognizes Dr. Guerrini for his outstanding contributions land productivity over the past two decades in the study of genetic and developmental causes of epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Research Recognition Award is part of the AES public recognition program to encourage and reward clinical and basic science investigators whose research contributes importantly in the effort to understand and conquer epilepsy. This year’s award for clinical science will be presented on December 1st during the Society’s 66th annual meeting and scientific conference in San Diego, USA.

Dr. Guerrini is internationally recognized for his scientific work in characterizing the clinical signs, neurogenetics, neuronal functioning, and brain physiology of the childhood epilepsies, particularly of epilepsies associated with abnormalities of brain development. He also leads a major European research initiative to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment in children with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.

In announcing the award and summarizing the research accomplishments , John Huguenard, Ph.D., who chairs the AES awards committee, said, “Dr. Guerrini has pioneered the scientific study of epilepsy in many different forms. He has had a major influence on our understanding not only of specific epilepsy disorders, but also of the overarching genetic architecture of epilepsy. Dr. Guerrini’s wide knowledge of the clinical, genetic, and neurophysiological manifestations of epilepsy has also made him an invaluable contributor in revising the system for classifying the diverse forms of epilepsy, and in establishing a unified terminology for abnormalities of cortical development.”

Dr. Guerrini has trained many neurologists in genetic techniques and clinical imaging. He has edited ten books, written 286 peer-reviewed papers, and served as an invited speaker at more than 350 professional meetings worldwide. His active service to the international epilepsy community also includes 12 academic and organizational scientific committee memberships and reviewer appointments in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Among his other honors is an ILAE/BEA Ambassador for Epilepsy Award.

About the American Epilepsy SocietyThe American Epilepsy Society, based in West Hartford, CT, seeks to advance and improve the treatment of epilepsy through the promotion of research and education for healthcare professionals. Society membership includes epileptologists and other medical and allied healthcare professionals, and scientists concerned with the care of people who have seizures and epilepsy.

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Information Contacts:Peter Van Haverbeke, AES Media Relations, cell 703-927-9639, [email protected]Natalie Judd, Big Voice Communications, cell 203-605-9515, office 203-389-5223, [email protected]