Gustave Roussy
Encyclopedia
Gustave Roussy was a Swiss-French neuropathologist who was born in Vevey
, Switzerland.
s Pierre Marie and Joseph Jules Dejerine
, and in 1907 earned his doctorate from the University of Paris
. In 1925 he was appointed professor of pathological anatomy at the Faculté de Médecine, and in 1930 became director of the Institut du Cancer. In 1933 he was dean of the faculty of medicine at the University of Paris
.
Roussy made several contributions in the field of neurology
, in particular his investigations on the role of the thalamus
and the autonomic nervous system
. During World War I
he was chief of neurology of the 7th Military Region Besançon
, and published extensively on his experiences with battle-related wounds. He was the author or co-author of a number of works on psychological and neuropsychological issues as a consequence of war.
In 1946 he published a 1000-page monograph
titled Traité de Neuroendocronologie in regards to his research in the field of neuroendocrinology
. With Jean Camus (1872-1924) he performed important studies involving damage to the hypothalamus
.
Roussy was interested in the study and treatment of cancer
. Today in the Parisian suburb of Villejuif
is the Institute Gustave-Roussy
, a private institution devoted to oncology
.
Vevey
Vevey is a town in Switzerland in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne.It was the seat of the district of the same name until 2006, and is now part of the Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District...
, Switzerland.
Career
As interne des hôpitaux in Paris, Roussy worked under neurologistNeurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
s Pierre Marie and Joseph Jules Dejerine
Joseph Jules Dejerine
Joseph Jules Dejerine , was a French neurologist.Joseph Jules Dejerine was born to French parents in Geneva, Switzerland, where his father was a carriage proprietor. During the Franco-Prussian War Dejerine worked as a volunteer in a Geneva Hospital and in the spring of 1871 decided to pursue his...
, and in 1907 earned his doctorate from the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. In 1925 he was appointed professor of pathological anatomy at the Faculté de Médecine, and in 1930 became director of the Institut du Cancer. In 1933 he was dean of the faculty of medicine at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
.
Roussy made several contributions in the field of neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
, in particular his investigations on the role of the thalamus
Thalamus
The thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...
and the autonomic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils,...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he was chief of neurology of the 7th Military Region Besançon
Besançon
Besançon , is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It had a population of about 237,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2008...
, and published extensively on his experiences with battle-related wounds. He was the author or co-author of a number of works on psychological and neuropsychological issues as a consequence of war.
In 1946 he published a 1000-page monograph
Monograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
titled Traité de Neuroendocronologie in regards to his research in the field of neuroendocrinology
Neuroendocrinology
Neuroendocrinology is the study of the extensive interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system, including the biological features of the cells that participate, and how they functionally communicate...
. With Jean Camus (1872-1924) he performed important studies involving damage to the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
.
Roussy was interested in the study and treatment of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Today in the Parisian suburb of Villejuif
Villejuif
Villejuif is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.-Name:The name Villejuif was recorded for the first time in a papal bull of 1119 as Villa Judea, the meaning of which is still debated...
is the Institute Gustave-Roussy
Institut Gustave Roussy
The Institut Gustave-Roussy is one of the world’s leading cancer-research institutes and the biggest health center dedicated to oncology in Europe. It is located in Villejuif, South Paris, France...
, a private institution devoted to oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
.
Eponyms
Along with other physicians are three eponymous disorders named after him:- Darier-Roussy sarcoidSarcoidosisSarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown...
: an uncommon subcutaneous granulomaGranulomaGranuloma is a medical term for a tiny collection of immune cells known as macrophages. Granulomas form when the immune system attempts to wall off substances that it perceives as foreign but is unable to eliminate. Such substances include infectious organisms such as bacteria and fungi as well as...
found in sarcoidosisSarcoidosisSarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown...
. Named with Ferdinand-Jean DarierFerdinand-Jean DarierFerdinand-Jean Darier was a French physician, pathologist and dermatologist called the "father of modern dermatology in France".-Medical:...
. - Dejerine-Roussy syndrome: a syndrome caused by lesions of the posterior thalamusThalamusThe thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...
. It occurs in approximately 2% of all strokeStrokeA stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
patients. Named with Joseph Jules DejerineJoseph Jules DejerineJoseph Jules Dejerine , was a French neurologist.Joseph Jules Dejerine was born to French parents in Geneva, Switzerland, where his father was a carriage proprietor. During the Franco-Prussian War Dejerine worked as a volunteer in a Geneva Hospital and in the spring of 1871 decided to pursue his...
. - Roussy-Lévy disease: spinocerebellar degeneration with muscular atrophy of the lower limbs, sensory ataxiaAtaxiaAtaxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum...
, plus other symptoms. A hereditary disease that is usually first noticed in infancy. Named with Dr. Gabrielle Lévy.
Selected writings
- Les psychonévroses de guerre, with Jacques Jean Lhermitte (1917), later translated into English.
- Travaux pratiques d’anatomie pathologique en quatorze séances de lectures de coupes microscopiques, with Ivan Bertrand (1893-1965), Preface by Pierre Marie (1917), later translated into English.
- Les blessures de la moëlle et de la queue de cheval, with Jacques Jean Lhermitte (1918)
- Traitement des psychonévroses de guerre, with J. Boisseau and M. d’Oelsnitz (1919)
- A propos de la dystasie areflexique héréditaire, with Gabrielle Lévy. Revue neurologique, Paris, 1934, 62: 763.
- Traité de Neuroendocrinologie (1946)