News & Media
Neuro News October 2010
The Neuro News is a monthly electronic newsletter highlighting activities at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. If you have any comments, please send them to Communications. To subscribe and receive e-mail notification when a new issue becomes available, click here.
October 2010
Director's Corner: Charcot and The Neuro
by Bernard Brais, MD, PhD, who will join The Neuro as Associate
Professor in June 2011.Dr. Colman has asked me to write a few words about Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893), the historic figure I studied during my training in the history of neuroscience at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine (London) and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (Paris). Is it still relevant to discuss this giant of medicine more than 115 years after his death? Is his influence on the neuroscience field still felt in the 21st century? Did he somehow shape the history of The Neuro, the institute to which I am preparing to return almost 20 years after completing my residency in neurology?
Jean-Martin Charcot, the son of a craftsman, was born in Paris in 1825. A talented artist, gifted student and accomplished polyglot, this reserved young man chose the path of medicine, both out of a natural interest and as a way to guarantee his ascension up the social ladder. He very soon became associated with a group of progressive young activists who were fighting within the Société de biologie for reform both in medicine and French society through science.
Like Claude Bernard, Charles-Édouard Brown-Sequard and others, Charcot was guided in his early career by Pierre Rayer, doctor to Napoleon III. And like a benevolent father, Rayer arranged a socially advantageous marriage for his disciple, thus the recently graduated Charcot married a wealthy widow, who would provide him with complete financial independence. Liberated of all monetary concerns, Charcot devoted himself completely to his professional and scientific career. He would dip regularly into the family’s resources, be it to secure a talented collaborator or purchase the latest microscope. More than anyone in his generation, he used his substantial financial resources to build one of the most extensive collections of medical publications, marking the beginning of “publish or perish.” Charcot enjoyed direct access to a network of publications that chronicled his ideas and discoveries in France and abroad.
As head of the largest hospital-based neuroscience department in the 19th century, owing to the founding in 1880 of the Clinique des maladies du système nerveux de la Salpêtrière, and as the first in the world to hold a university Chair of neurology (Chair of nervous system diseases, 1882), Charcot dominated the international neurology scene from the late 1870s until his death in 1893. Many have ventured so far as to name him the father of this new medical specialty that was neurology. He was of course not the only father figure, but he has without question left the deepest imprint on neurological thought— an imprint felt to this day.
His contributions are too numerous to list here, but the earliest descriptions of multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are sufficient indication of the importance of his work. In fact, in the whole of medical history, he is the physician whose name is associated with the largest number of clinical signs, defined illnesses and anatomical and pathological structures. He is the champion of all categories of eponyms. However, it is more on a structural level that he shaped neurology, by defining the foundations of anatomo-clinical correlations, of which the mapping of lesions is a cornerstone. These foundations were so respected by Dr. Wilder Penfield that he integrated them into the creation of the Montreal Neurological Institute, where the first great clinicians all had solid training in pathology.
Penfield’s high esteem for Charcot is reflected by including his name in The Neuro’s Foyer (William) Feindel (link to Foyer images). It was also an opinion clearly shared by Penfield’s peers and marked by Charcot’s appearance in the mural by Mary Filer - The Advance of Neurology (Mural [.pdf] note Charcot is #4 in the legend). But it is through the physical integration of the research laboratory and clinic that The Neuro has most profoundly adopted the Charcot tradition. The fact that after 75 years this institution continues each day to draw such value from the amalgamation of clinical and research speaks volumes about the extent to which Penfield and Charcot shared the same vision of the ideal environment in which to develop the neurosciences.
I would be remiss if I did not touch on another influence that Charcot had
on The Neuro, one that might best be dubbed the French connection! When
William Feindel, with his trademark erudition and enthusiasm, introduced me
to the history of The Neuro in 1981, as the first French Canadian president
of the McGill Osler Society, I was struck by the proactive openness of
Penfield to bring francophone neurologists from the Université de Montréal
network into his institute project. From its founding to the present day,
The Neuro has been a premier site of scientific learning and initiatives
for neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists from Montreal and
across Quebec. Like Charcot, Penfield was aware that to prosper, an
institution must be deeply rooted in its community in all of its diversity.
The influence of The Neuro on a global scale reflects to a certain extent
the multifarious culture of Quebec and the care taken by the Institute’s
founder to ensure that the neurosciences never be constrained by linguistic
or cultural barriers. The neurology of Charcot, like that of Penfield and
the Montreal Neurological Institute, is one that is an open door to the
world.
Bernard Brais, MD, PhD
Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to David Colman
Recent News
Neurology and Neurosurgery Leaders
Neurologist Lesley Fellows has been named Interim Chair of
Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University with the retirement of
former Chair, Richard Riopelle. Fellows received her PhD at the University
of Oxford (UK) as a Rhodes Scholar, completed her MDCM and residency in
neurology at McGill, and clinical and research fellowships at the
University of Pennsylvania. Her research and clinical programs focus on the
role of frontal brain regions in social and emotional behavior, and
decision-making. To facilitate research in human cognition, Fellows
established a Cognitive Neuroscience Research Registry of patients with
focal brain lesions. Her research is supported by the Heart and Stroke
Foundation, the Parkinson’s Society, the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research, the National Institutes of Health (US) and other agencies.
Neurologist Liam Durcan was named Neurologist-in-Chief for the McGill University Health Centre. Durcan completed his MD at the University of Manitoba, and residency training in both internal medicine and neurology at McGill University and then did advanced fellowship training in neuromuscular disorders and cerebrovascular disorders. Durcan has been recognized for excellence in teaching and for clinical research on efficacy of medical therapies for the treatment of stroke and Multiple Sclerosis. He is also known to a literary audience for published works of fiction and poetry.
Etienne de Villers-Sidani, new Assistant Professor
Neurosurgeon Marie-Noëlle Hébert-Blouin joins The
Neuro
Amit Bar-Or receives Physician of Distinction Award
Friends of The Neuro - supporting our patients
For more than a quarter of a century, The Friends of The Neuro – a
non-profit group of dedicated volunteers – have raised money to support
activities and equipment that have a direct impact on patients and their
families. The Friends help support the day-to-day operations of the Neuro
Patient Resource Centre and they ensure that the mini-store program on
wheels, run with the help of volunteer students, provides patients with
products they may need while in hospital. In addition to providing
bursaries and funds for professional neuroscience nursing developments,
this year The Friends have also purchased equipment and furniture for a
number of departments and waiting rooms at The Neuro.
If you are looking for a souvenir item, perhaps a Neuro t-shirt or the
latest hoodie, The Friends boutique can be found near the lobby on Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 8 am to 2:30 pm.
Keep in touch
Follow The Neuro on Twitter
Upcoming Events
Faculty and Staff Campaign launch, October 21
The fifth annual Faculty and Staff Campaign “Putting our heads together”
will be launched on October 21. Co-chairs Francois Dubeau and Alyson
Fournier will be on hand in the Feindel Foyer from 8-10 am to kick off the
campaign with coffee and treats, and to thank the dedicated faculty and
staff who demonstrated their commitment to The Neuro mission by generously
donating more than $400,000 in only 4 years.
End-of-Life Care in ALS, October 27
Neurologist Danielle Lavoie will deliver a talk End-of-Life Care in
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at Neuropalliative Interdisciplinary Rounds
in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre at Noon on October 27. Her talk will
open the new series of expert presentations on Neuropalliative Care that
are offered monthly at The Neuro. All are welcome: a simple buffet lunch
will be available at 11:45 am. Please register in advance with Debbie
Rashcovsky at 514-398-6047 or by
email.
Multiple Sclerosis focus: Denis Melançon Lecture, October
28
Gordon Francis, Director of NeuroInflammation Clinical Science Unit for
Novartis Pharmaceuticals, will deliver the keynote Melancon lecture
entitled Multiple Sclerosis: The role of MRI in monitoring the cure at 4 pm
on October 28. Francis had been Director of the MS Clinic at The Neuro and
established the foundations for the Clinical Research Unit through which
patients may participate in clinical studies of new therapies. Starting at
1 pm, other experts, including Bruce Pike and Maria Cortes from The Neuro
and specialists from the University of Montreal, will talk about clinical
and basic science research on MS. Please see
website for more information on this program.
Bernard Brais to deliver Francis McNaughton Lecture,
November 3
Neurologist and neurogenetisist Bernard Brais will speak on New founder
effects for recessive white matter diseases in the French-Canadian
population at the Francis McNaughton Lecture at 8:30 am on November 3 in
the de Grandpré Communications Centre. Brais, currently Director of the
Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Motion at the Research Centre of the
University of Montreal Hospital Centre, will join the faculty at The Neuro
in June 2011. All are welcome to attend this scientific lecture.
Neuro Movie Night, November 11
Neurologist Lesley Fellows will host Neuro Movie Night on November 11 with
a showing of the Oscar-nominated and award winning film Away from Her.
Based on a short story by Alice Munro and directed by Sarah Polley, this
tender film shines intense light on life’s changes as Julie Christie
portrays a patient with Alzheimer’s disease whose 40 year marriage fades
from memory. All are welcome to this free film and discussion at 6:30 pm in
The Neuro’s Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre (3801 University Street).
Refreshments will be available to purchase. Watch for future Movie Nights
on our website.
In the News- recent highlights
Brenda MilnerThe Globe and Mail: Named one of 25 Transformational Canadians
Radio-Canada: Bons baisers de France
BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Health Check: Interview
Jobboom Magazine: Article
Inauguration of The Neuro’s Neurosurgical Simulation Centre
CTV News: News clip
The Gazette: Article
Journal de Metro: Article
Le Droit: Article
Other coverage: Global TV News (national and regional), Radio-Canada Radio, CBC Radio, The Ottawa Citizen and wide coverage on the web.
Prime Minister Jean Charest cites The Neuro as an example of how Quebec shines in an Open letter to Macleans magazine posted on various media outlets including Nationalpost.com.
Robert Zatorre interviewed about the phenomenon of I –dosing
La Presse: Article
Other coverage: CBC Radio, The Chronicle Herald, La Presse Canadienne, Le Nouvelliste, Le Soir.
Congratulations to ...
Brenda Milner who was recently nominated as one of 25 Transformational Canadians.Patrick Allaire who completed the Ironman Triathlon in 09:36:29, ranking 45th in his division and 199th overall.
Director - David R. Colman, PhD
Senior Management - Martine Alfonso; Mark Angle, MD; Phil Barker, PhD; Rob
Dunn, PhD; Lucia Fabijan; Tom Gevas; Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Catherine Rowe;
Donatella Tampieri, MD
Neuro News: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD
Please send any items for the Neuro News to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.
