University of Pittsburgh Medical Student Receives AAN Extended Neuroscience Award

Newswise — The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2009 Extended Neuroscience Award to Cyrus Raji, BS, BA, a MD/PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh. Raji is being honored for his research that adds insight into the joint effects of aging and Alzheimer's disease on the brain. Raji will receive the award during the AAN's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, held April 25 through May 2, 2009.

The Extended Neuroscience Award seeks to stimulate interest in the field of neurology as an exciting and challenging profession by offering highly competitive awards for the best essay. This is one of four Medical Student Essay Awards offered by the AAN.

Raji's research, "Independent Effects of Age and Alzheimer's on Gray Matter in a Community Cohort," focuses on how certain regions of the brain are most strongly affected by both normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.

"By identifying which regions of the brain are most affected by aging and Alzheimer's disease, this research can help us understand why age is such a powerful risk factor for the disorder," said Raji. "I am honored to be the recipient of this award and want to thank my research mentors for their skillful guidance during this project."

The 61th Annual Meeting, one of the world's largest gatherings of neurology professionals, takes place in the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke.

For more information, visit www.aan.com/awards.