Miller Fisher
Encyclopedia
Charles Miller Fisher, usually known as Miller Fisher (born December 5, 1913, Waterloo, Ontario
) is a neurologist. Trained in Canada, he spent 1949 at Massachusetts General Hospital
, followed by several years in Montreal. In 1954 he returned to Massachusetts General on the stroke service, beginning a long career in stroke neurology. In 1956 he reported the variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome that now carries his name. Fisher was the recipient of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada's Prize in Medicine in 1952, and entered the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
in 1998.
He contributed greatly to the understanding of stroke, more specifically carotid artery disease and lacunar infarcts and their syndromes
. With regards too the lacunar syndromes he described the concept, the "pure motor stroke", the "pure sensory stroke", and the mechanism underlying the different stroke syndromes. He contributed towards the current use of anticoagulant
s for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
. He made a number of contributions to the understanding of cervical artery dissection (carotid artery dissection
and vertebral artery dissection
) in the 1970s, and that of subarachnoid hemorrhage
due to cerebral aneurysm
s.
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is adjacent to the city of Kitchener....
) is a neurologist. Trained in Canada, he spent 1949 at Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
, followed by several years in Montreal. In 1954 he returned to Massachusetts General on the stroke service, beginning a long career in stroke neurology. In 1956 he reported the variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome that now carries his name. Fisher was the recipient of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada's Prize in Medicine in 1952, and entered the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
in 1998.
He contributed greatly to the understanding of stroke, more specifically carotid artery disease and lacunar infarcts and their syndromes
Lacunar stroke
Lacunar stroke or lacunar infarct is a type of stroke that results from occlusion of one of the penetrating arteries that provides blood to the brain's deep structures...
. With regards too the lacunar syndromes he described the concept, the "pure motor stroke", the "pure sensory stroke", and the mechanism underlying the different stroke syndromes. He contributed towards the current use of anticoagulant
Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
s for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia . It is a common cause of irregular heart beat, identified clinically by taking a pulse. Chaotic electrical activity in the two upper chambers of the heart result in the muscle fibrillating , instead of achieving coordinated contraction...
. He made a number of contributions to the understanding of cervical artery dissection (carotid artery dissection
Carotid artery dissection
Carotid artery dissection is a separation of the layers of the artery wall supplying oxygen-bearing blood to the head and brain, and is the most common cause of stroke in young adults...
and vertebral artery dissection
Vertebral artery dissection
Vertebral artery dissection is a dissection of the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is located in the neck and supplies blood to the brain. After the tear, blood enters the arterial wall and forms a blood clot, thickening the artery wall and often impeding blood flow...
) in the 1970s, and that of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage , or subarachnoid haemorrhage in British English, is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain...
due to cerebral aneurysm
Cerebral aneurysm
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.- Signs and symptoms :...
s.