Scientist Wins Reeve Medal for Spinal-Cord Work

A Swiss neuroscientist working to find a cure for spinal-cord injuries was awarded Sunday with the first Christopher Reeve Research Medal, named after the actor who was paralyzed after a 1995 equestrian accident.

The award, which includes a $50,000 prize donated by philanthropist Joan Irvine Smith, recognizes the spinal-cord injury research of Martin E. Schwab, 47, the director of the Brain Research Institute at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Schwab is credited with discovering the existence of molecules within the central nervous system that block growth. In tests on rats, Schwab also is credited with finding a way of blocking the molecules so that damaged spinal cords can partially regenerate, allowing the animals to regain some motor function.

The award was created with the recent establishment of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center for spinal-cord injuries at UC Irvine and aims to encourage work in the field of spinal-cord injuries.

Smith, whose $1-million pledge helped establish the UCI research center, presented the check to Schwab at a luncheon ceremony at the Oaks International equestrian competition at the Oaks Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.