Dystrophy cure efforts rewarded

Each year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association awards a physician or researcher with the S. Mouchly Small Scientific Achievement Award. The award, which recognizes researches who make a significant contribution to neuromuscular disease research, is presented during the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. This year Ohio State's Dr. Jerry Mendell was presented with the award.

The S. Mouchly Small Scientific Achievement Award was created in honor and remembrance of Dr. S. Mouchly Small, a renowned scientist and physician, because of his achievements and contributions to combating neuromuscular disease.

"Dr. Mendell is a highly respected researcher who has distinguished himself in the field of neuromuscular disease research and medical management," said Ronald Schenkenberger, director of research administration for the association. As a research grantee for the association, co-director of the MDA-supported neuromuscular disease clinic at the University Medical Center, and a professor of pathology and neurology, Mendell has devoted most of his life to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy. "I'm primarily a clinical researcher, and this is the first (time) they've given the award to someone who really does front line clinical work," Mendell said. "They wanted recognition for clinical efforts to let the world know these are the efforts we are making. I am very honored." After three years of fellowship and 19 years of working along side him to combat muscular dystrophy, Dr. John Kissel, professor and interim chair of the department of neurology at OSU, says that the reward is long overdue."It's a well-deserved reward for a lifetime of work in the field of muscular dystrophy," Kissel said. "He has been here for 30 years working on the problem of muscular dystrophy, and there are very few people in the world who are able to translate research discoveries in molecular biochemistry and genetics - and formulate that information into a possible treatment better than Dr. Mendell."  

The first known treatment for muscular dystrophy was introduced by Mendell, as well as the first gene therapy trial. Mendell was also among the first physicians to test an experimental muscle cell transplantation treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the early '90s. "Dr. Mendell has been involved in numerous clinical trials, one which resulted in a new medication - Prednisone, for Duchenne dystrophy patients," Schenkenberger said. "It is not a treatment or a cure, but those with Duchenne dystrophy now have the ability to walk for two more years." Mendell has two more gene therapy trials in the works as follow-ups to his studies from the '90s. "It is a very exciting field of research and we are really working hard to make some major breakthroughs," Mendell said. "We're on the verge of changing the quality of life for adults and children with muscular dystrophy."

The telethon, a variety show that aims to simultaneously entertain, inform and raise funds for research, was hosted for the 37th year in a row by Ed McMahon. The show was first held in 1955 at Carnegie Hall in N. Y., and raised over $600,000 for MDA. Today, the telethon is held in Los Angeles and raises over $60.5 million for Muscular Dystrophy research. The nonprofit organization works to combat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and professional and public health education. "MDA's goal is to cure the disease," Mendell said. "And that's my goal as well."