Professor Hagai Bergman of the Hebrew University School of Medicine has been awarded the Dr Otto and Alice Blumberg Prize for his breakthrough research in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Prof  Bergman, who specialises in neurobiology, won the KKL-JNF Prize for Outstanding Medical Research Scientist of 2016 and received a €15,000 prize.

The professor pioneered research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) which is now the leading treatment for Parkinson’s.

The treatment has improved the quality of life of over 150,000 Parkinson’s patients around the world.

During the ceremony, Sarah Singer JNF Germany president, said: “Dear researchers like him dedicate their lives to finding treatment for diseases such as Parkinson’s.

“This prize is part of the different prizes and scholarships we grant for excellence in research and education. Satisfying our donors and fulfilling our duty is a great pleasure for us, through which we contribute to the success of the state of Israel in all fields, including science and technology.

“Nobel Prize winner Professor Aaron Ciechanover was a previous recipient of this same prestigious prize, therefore we wish Professor Hagai Bergman great success in the future.”

Professor Avi Israeli, Ministry of Health chief scientist, said: “The competition was very close, however, the decision was unanimous in selecting Professor Hagai Bergman as the winner.

“This prize was awarded for his presence as a leader in the field of medical neurobiology and for his ability to apply his research findings and implement them as an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease.”