Stamp Vignette on Medical Science Edgar Adrian-Nobel Prize for Work on Neurons Marc A. Shampo, Ph.D., and Robert A. Kyle, M.D. T he 1932 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine was shared by two English scientists, Edgar Douglas Adrian and Charles S. Sherrington (1857-1952), for their discoveries about the function of neurons. Sherrington's studies focused on the brain and spinal cord. Adrian's research was devoted to the transmission of nerve messages and led to the development of electroencephalography by Austrian psychiatrist Hans Berger (1873-1941). Adrian's work helped explain the nature of nerve impulses and the physical basis of sensation. Adrian, the second of three sons of a legal adviser to the local government board, was born on Nov. 30, 1889, in London, England. After completing his secondary education at Westminster, he entered Trinity College at Cam- bridge University in 1908 to study natural science. He received an M.A. degree from Trinity College in 1911 and an M.D. degree in 1915. After receiving his medical degree, he did clinical work at St. Bartholemew's Hospital in London. Mayo Clin Proc 1998;73:864 864 From 1916 to 1919, Adrian was a member of the British armed services and treated shell-shocked soldiers and those with neurologic injuries. In 1919, he returned to Trinity College to serve as a lecturer on the nervous system. He remained at Cambridge University, where his duties included research, teaching, and administration, until 1975. He was Master of Trinity College from 1961 to 1965 and chancellor of the university from 1968 to 1975. Adrian demonstrated the "all-or-none" law of nerve impulse propagation-that is, that the speed and intensity of a nerve impulse do not diminish as the impulse travels along the axon. He studied nerve impulses from sensory organs by amplifying variations in electrical potential and recording smaller potential changes than had been detectable previously. He later recorded nerve impulses from single sensory endings and motor nerve fibers, measurements that contributed to a better understanding of the physical basis of sensation and of the mechanisms of muscular control. After 1934, Adrian studied the electrical activity of the brain. His work on the variations and abnormalities of the changes known as the "Berger rhythm" opened new fields of investigation in the study of epilepsy and in the location of cerebral lesions. Besides the Nobel Prize, Adrian received many honors and awards, among which was being named a baron (Baron Adrian of Cambridge) by Queen Elizabeth II (1926- ) in 1955. His publications include The Basis of Sensation (1927), The Mechanism of Nervous Action (1932), and The Physical Background of Perception (1947). Adrian died in London on Aug. 4, 1977, at the age of 87 years. He was honored on a stamp issued by Guyana in 1995. © 1998 Mayo Foundationfor Medical Education and Research For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Edgar Adrian—Nobel Prize for Work on Neurons

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Stamp Vignette on Medical Science

Edgar Adrian-Nobel Prizefor Work on Neurons

Marc A. Shampo, Ph.D., andRobert A. Kyle, M.D.

T he 1932 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine wasshared by two English scientists, Edgar Douglas Adrian

and Charles S. Sherrington (1857-1952), for their discoveries about the function of neurons. Sherrington's studiesfocused on the brain and spinal cord. Adrian's research wasdevoted to the transmission of nerve messages and led to thedevelopment of electroencephalography by Austrian psychiatrist Hans Berger (1873-1941). Adrian's work helpedexplain the nature of nerve impulses and the physical basisof sensation.

Adrian, the second of three sons of a legal adviser to thelocal government board, was born on Nov. 30, 1889, inLondon, England. After completing his secondary education at Westminster, he entered Trinity College at Cambridge University in 1908 to study natural science. Hereceived an M.A. degree from Trinity College in 1911and an M.D. degree in 1915. After receiving his medicaldegree, he did clinical work at St. Bartholemew's Hospitalin London.

Mayo Clin Proc 1998;73:864 864

From 1916 to 1919, Adrian was a member of the Britisharmed services and treated shell-shocked soldiers and thosewith neurologic injuries. In 1919, he returned to TrinityCollege to serve as a lecturer on the nervous system. Heremained at Cambridge University, where his duties included research, teaching, and administration, until 1975.He was Master of Trinity College from 1961 to 1965 andchancellor of the university from 1968 to 1975.

Adrian demonstrated the "all-or-none" law of nerveimpulse propagation-that is, that the speed and intensity ofa nerve impulse do not diminish as the impulse travels alongthe axon. He studied nerve impulses from sensory organs byamplifying variations in electrical potential and recordingsmaller potential changes than had been detectable previously. He later recorded nerve impulses from single sensoryendings and motor nerve fibers, measurements that contributed to a better understanding of the physical basis ofsensation and of the mechanisms of muscular control.

After 1934, Adrian studied the electrical activity of thebrain. His work on the variations and abnormalities of thechanges known as the "Berger rhythm" opened new fields ofinvestigation in the study of epilepsy and in the location ofcerebral lesions.

Besides the Nobel Prize, Adrian received many honorsand awards, among which was being named a baron (BaronAdrian of Cambridge) by Queen Elizabeth II (1926- ) in1955. His publications include The Basis of Sensation(1927), The Mechanism ofNervous Action (1932), and ThePhysical Background ofPerception (1947).

Adrian died in London on Aug. 4, 1977, at the age of 87years. He was honored on a stamp issued by Guyana in 1995.

For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.