Alastair Compston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alastair Compston CBE FRS FMedSci FRCP
Compston in 2016
Born	(1948-01-23) 23 January 1948 (age 77)
Education	Rugby School
Alma mater	Middlesex Hospital Medical School University of London
Scientific career
Fields	Neurology
Institutions	University of Wales University of Cambridge
Thesis	Multiple Sclerosis and the HLA System (1978)

Alastair Compston, born on January 23, 1948, is a British doctor. He specializes in the brain and nervous system, a field called neurology. He is a retired professor of neurology at the University of Cambridge. He also used to be a special member (called an emeritus fellow) at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Education and Early Career

Alastair Compston went to Rugby School for his early education. After that, he studied medicine at Middlesex Hospital. There, he earned a special degree that allowed him to become a doctor.

He then earned his PhD (a high-level university degree) from the University of London in 1978. His PhD research focused on multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. He also studied the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system, which is part of our immune system.

Important Research and Work

Professor Compston's research mainly focuses on diseases that damage the protective covering of nerve cells. This covering is called myelin, and diseases that affect it are known as demyelinating diseases.

One of his biggest achievements was finding genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis. This means he helped discover certain genes that make people more likely to get the disease. He also helped introduce a medicine called alemtuzumab, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis.

Before his current role, Professor Compston was a Professor of Neurology at the University of Wales. He also led important groups like the European Neurological Society and the Association of British Neurologists. For a time, he was the editor of a well-known science magazine called Brain.

Awards and Special Honours

Professor Compston's important work has been recognized with many awards. Some of these include:

• The Charcot Award
• The K-J Zülch Prize
• The World Federation of Neurology Medal
• The John Dystel Prize
• The Richard and Mary Cave Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain
• The Hughlings Jackson Medal
• The Galen Medal
• The Association of British Neurologists Medal

In 2016, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He was also made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016. This award was given for his great work in treating multiple sclerosis.

He was also chosen as a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he became a member of important science groups in other countries, like the National Academy of Sciences of Germany and the National Academy of Medicine in the United States.