Mahlon DeLong was a pioneering neurologist whose transformative research fundamentally advanced the understanding and treatment of neurological movement disorders. Born in Des Moines in 1938, he earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1962 and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1966. He completed his medical internship at Boston City Hospital and neurological residency training at Johns Hopkins Hospital before joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Since 1990, he served at Emory University School of Medicine where he held the prestigious William Patterson Timmie Professorship of Neurology and served as Chairman of the Department of Neurology from 1990 to 2003, during which he led a more than five-fold expansion of the department.
Dr. DeLong's groundbreaking research focused on the neural circuits connecting the basal ganglia to other brain regions, fundamentally advancing the understanding of Parkinson's disease pathophysiology. His seminal work in the early 1990s revealed key aspects of the basal ganglia's role in movement disorders that provided the scientific foundation for deep brain stimulation as a therapeutic approach. This translational research directly led to the development of techniques that have dramatically improved the quality of life for countless patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. For these transformative contributions that bridged basic neuroscience and clinical application, he was honored with the prestigious 2014 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and the 2014 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, which recognized his work as having eased the suffering of many people with Parkinson's disease.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. DeLong mentored generations of neurologists and neuroscientists, establishing Emory as a leading center for movement disorders research and treatment. He served as a member of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiative and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his exceptional contributions to neurological science. His collaborative approach to research extended to partnerships with organizations like the American Parkinson Disease Association, where he served as a scientific advisor and friend to the Georgia Chapter. Dr. DeLong's legacy endures through the continued application of his research findings in clinical practice, the ongoing work of his colleagues and trainees worldwide, and the profound impact his discoveries have had on the lives of patients with movement disorders.
