Ingrid Scheffer Photo: Marija Ivkovic
It was only a few hundred years ago that people with epilepsy were thought to be possessed by the devil. While that stigma passed, doctors continued to believe the disorder was acquired from injury -a fall, a difficult labour, a tumour or a sports or car accident - as recently as two decades ago.
It would take the research of two Melbourne neurologists to reveal the true nature of epilepsy, a debilitating condition that affects about 50 million people.
Over the past 20 years, Ingrid Scheffer and Sam Berkovic have unmasked the significant role genetics plays in these disorders, identifying the first gene directly linked to one form of the condition.
For their pioneering work in this field, which has led to targeted research, and better diagnosis and treatment for patients, they have been jointly awarded the 2014 Prime Minister's Prize for Science, which comes with $300,000 prize money.
Advertisement
"We've both won awards separately, but we've never had one together, so this is really exciting," Professor Scheffer said.
The pair, both clinicians and researchers at the University of Melbourne and Austin Health, have focused their research questions around the patients who visit their clinics.
"Your patients are the ones who show you something interesting, then we work with our scientific collaborators trying to understand the biology of what we're seeing," said Professor Scheffer, who also chairs paediatric neurology at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
While the pair were to be presented with their prize at Parliament House on Wednesday evening, ProfessorScheffer insisted the award represented the work and dedication of many people.
Read the original post:
Epilepsy pioneers Ingrid Scheffer and Sam Berkovic awarded PM's Prize for Science