Jankovic honored for Huntington's disease research, patient care

HOUSTON -- (October 20, 2008) -- Dr. Joseph Jankovic, professor of neurology and director of the Parkinson Disease Center and Movement Disorder Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded the Guthrie Family Humanitarian Award from the Huntington's Disease Society of America for his leadership in research and patient care related to the disease.

Jankovic is being recognized for his long commitment to research in Huntington's disease and his efforts to make tetrabenazine, the first FDA-approved medication to effectively treat the genetic neurodegenerative disease, available to patients.

"I am deeply honored to be the 2008 recipient of the Guthrie Family Humanitarian Award," said Jankovic, who also directs the Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at BCM. "No family has contributed more to advancing the knowledge about this disorder than the Guthrie family."

This award, presented at the 12th Annual Guthrie Awards Dinner on Oct. 16 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, is given annually by the Huntington's Disease Society of America to a leader in the Huntington's disease medical and scientific community who goes above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring the best in research, care and patient services.

The Annual Guthrie Awards Dinner pays tribute to the memories of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie and his wife, Marjorie, principal founder of the national drive to cure Huntington's disease.