Alan J. Gebhart Prize

For his research into Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and other peripheral nerve inflammations, Prof. Bart Jacobs has received the Alan J. Gebhart award. The prize was awarded during the Peripheral Nerve Society conference in Edinburgh.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. This can lead to severe paralysis within a few days. Professor of Neurology and Immunology Bart Jacobs has been researching this disease for years. He recently received the Alan J. Gebhart Prize for his scientific contribution.

Photo: Award ceremony with Prof. Willison (Glasgow University and jury member) on the left and Prof. Jacobs on the right.

Jury report

The jury praised, among other things, the international research consortium that the professor set up: the International GBS Outcome Study (IGOS). 2,000 patients from no fewer than 160 hospitals in 21 countries are participating in this study. The aim of the study is to better understand the cause of GBS, to make more accurate diagnoses and to be able to better predict the course of the disease.

Bart is honoured by the recognition. He wants to use the prize money for further research. ‘I want to understand even better how infections cause GBS and how the disease progresses. With that I hope to be able to inform and treat patients better in the future.’