The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society distinguished Professor Mamede de Carvalho, MD, Director of the FMUL Physiology University Clinic and researcher at the Molecular Medicine Institute, with the Robert S. Schwab Award.

The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, founded in 1946, is devoted to promoting professional excellence in clinical neurophysiology and to strengthening the understanding of the central and peripheral nervous system in health and disease. This award, which is presented annually for an individual’s outstanding contributions to clinical neurophysiology, was for the first time granted to a Portuguese researcher. Since 1997 most researchers who have been distinguished with it are American.

‘Generally this award is presented to American researchers, I will be the fourth non-American to be awarded with it, after Professor Jun Kimura from Japan (who works in the USA), Professor David Burke from Australia and Professor Erik Stalberg from Sweden, so the 2nd European. I appreciate the support given to me by the Institute for over 20 years and by FMUL’s current Dean,’ stated Professor Mamede de Carvalho to the Newsletter’s team.

With this award Professor Mamede de Carvalho was now recognised by his research and clinical career, mostly dedicated to the study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. His more than 200 international articles have allowed the definition of new criteria in the disease’s diagnosis, the quantification of its progression and the identification of the mechanics of its origins.

Although it only affects about 2 to 3 per 100.000, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most common neurodegenerative disorder, following Alzheimer disease and Parkinson’s disease. ALS is characterised by the degeneration of motor neurons, its earliest symptoms may include upper or lower body paralysis, speech impediments and deglutination difficulty or respiratory paralysis.

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Professor Mamede de Carvalho, MD – neurologist and neurophysiologist at Santa Maria Hospital and Full Professor of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, has, throughout his career, helped promote neurophysiology worldwide. Between 2010 and 2014, he was the President of the International Clinical Neurophysiology Society and the liason officer of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.

^{(Source: Diário de Notícias Ciência online)}