Mind, Brain, Body, and Behavior

102 FARRERAS

The Section on Clinical Neurochemistry was headed by neurochemist

Donald B. Tower, who had been a neurochemistry research fellow at the

MNI and then assistant resident in neurosurgery with Wilder Penfield

before Shy recruited him for the position.^6

Donald B. Tower, M.D., Ph.D.

Courtesy of the National Library

of Medicine

The Section on Clinical Neurochemistry was one of the largest sec­

tions of the NINDB and focused on muscle proteins, on the changes

accompanying demyelinizing disorders, on the epileptic cortex and the

clinical effects of glutamine and asparagines on generalized seizures, and

on the amino acid, electrolyte and gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism

in normal and epileptic cortex neural tissues.^7

The Section on Clinical Applied Pharmacology was headed by

neurophysiologist Richard L. Irwin and focused on: 1) studies in

“cross transfused head technique in relationship to respiratory and vaso­

motor response to central nervous system asphyxia;” 2) the relationship

between calcium metabolism and neuromuscular blocking agents; and

3) the effects of depolarizing and competitive drugs acting upon neuro­

transmission.^8 The Section on Clinical Neurophysiology was originally

headed by Paul O. Chatfield and studied temperature and its effect on

neuromuscular transmission, specifically the myoneural junction.^9 Due

to poor health, however, Chatfield resigned, and the section was trans­

ferred to the Electroencephalography Branch in 1956, with Alexander

Doudomopoulous as acting chief until José del Castillo became the

new section chief in early 1958.^10