News

Highly Acclaimed Dystel Prize awarded to Professor Thompson

1 May 2017

The American Academy of Neurology have awarded the prestigious John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research to the well deserving Professor Alan Thompson. Professor Thompson is a driving force within the International Progressive MS Alliance, which is an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organisations (including MS Research Australia), researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and people with progressive MS, dedicated in their goal to change the landscape of MS.

Professor Thompson is currently Dean of the University College London Faculty of Brain Sciences. He was chosen by a committee of his peers to receive the prestigious prize worth $15,000 given jointly by the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology.

Spending the last 35 years of his life focusing on the care and treatment of people with MS, Professor Thompson has shown both his dedication and perseverance to improve the quality of life for people living with MS. Some examples of his valuable work include: the usage of MRI’s to determine the criteria for diagnosis of MS, pioneering symptom-related outcome measures in MS research, evaluating cannabinoids to treat MS and finally, spearheading and acting as Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance.

We at MS Research Australia are very proud of our involvement with Professor Thompson and congratulate him on this well-deserved prize.

Related News

MS News

MS Australia LEEP members share perspectives on family screening for MS in international journal

26 August 2026

Through the lens of living with MS or caring for someone with MS, MS Australia’s lived experience expert panellists Rachel Fallis and Rebecca Small contemplate a future where family screening for MS was available.

LEEP

Carol Cooke

25 August 2026

Carol Cooke AM PLY shares her MS diagnosis story and how she's grown more comfortable with speaking up for herself in medical settings in the years since her diagnosis.

MS News

Research insights into MS, sleep and work productivity

25 August 2026

Australian research suggests some prescription medications may worsen sleep quality in people with MS. Better sleep may improve MS symptoms, work productivity and overall quality of life.

Read More

Newsletter subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Highly Acclaimed Dystel Prize awarded to Professor Thompson