7th April 2014 - New research
Journal of the History of the Neurosciences 2014 Apr 3 [Epub ahead of print] (H.Czech, L.A.
Zeidman) Complete abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24697654
Walther Birkmayer, an Austrian neurologist, co-discovered the effectiveness of L-dopa for
Parkinson's Disease in 1961. However, Birkmayer was a member of SS and a member of the
Nazi party. Little has been previously published regarding Birkmayer's ties to Naziism.
Researchers have determined that Birkmayer was not only
an early illegal member of the SS and the Nazi party but
also took part in "de-Jewification". He also was a leader in
the Nazi racial policy office and was praised for his
dedication and fanaticism despite being forced to later
resign from the SS. He sought support from leading
Viennese Nazis and was able to maintain his professional
status for the war's remainder.
Postwar, he succeeded at reintegration personally and professionally into Austrian society, all
but erasing any obvious ties to his Nazi past. In 1960 Dr. Hornykiewicz demonstrated that
dopamine levels were below normal in the brains of people who died of Parkinson's Disease.
He and Dr. Arvid Carlsson, believed that L-dopa, a precursor in the biosynthesis of
dopamine, could treat Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Hornykiewicz and Dr. Birkmayer began to
treat patients with L-dopa. They noticed marked short-term improvements. They published
their findings in 1961, which eventually led to L-dopa being the most widely used treatment
for Parkinson's Disease. For more information go to Walther Birkmayer :
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