Aurora Physician Recognized for Multiple Scle...( MILWAUKEE June 17 /- Today the Nation...),Health

MILWAUKEE, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Wisconsin Chapter recognized Aurora neurologist Bhupendra Khatri, M.D., with its 2009 Physician Appreciation Award. The recognition commends Dr. Khatri for his service to people living with multiple sclerosis and his research to treat it.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090303/CG78204LOGO-b)

"I'm honored to receive this recognition," says Dr. Khatri, medical director of the Regional Multiple Sclerosis Center at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center. "Having multiple sclerosis can be devastating, which is why I have dedicated my career to finding a cure."

This year Dr. Khatri presented research showing the long-term benefits of plasma exchange for treating multiple sclerosis at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. In addition, his research on the drug Tysabri was published in Neurology, an American Academy of Neurology journal.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates 400,000 people in the United States have the disease. In Wisconsin, one in 500 people have multiple sclerosis, while in states like Texas it impacts only one in 10,000. There is a strong correlation between the disease and people of northern European descent, as well as low levels of vitamin D and low exposure to sunlight. Wisconsin has a large population of people descended from northern European immigrants, as well as low sunlight during the winter. However, no cause-and-effect relationship between these factors and the disease have been determined.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease where the body's immune system attacks the protective sheath surrounding the nerves. Symptoms can include blurred vision, loss of coordination and short-term or long-term memory loss.

Aurora Health Care is a no
'/>"/>