LABORATORY AND BRANCH RESEARCH REVIEWS 111Roscoe O. Brady, M.D.
Courtesy of the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Brady’s section studied the synthesis and metabolism of cerebrosides
from three angles–fatty acid metabolism, sphingosine metabolism, and
carbohydrate metabolism–in an effort to elucidate the etiology of
Gaucher Disease as well as the metabolism of substituted derivatives of
acetyl coenzyme A necessary for fatty acid and carbohydrate oxidation
and fatty acid synthesis and acetyl choline formation.^14 Other section
studies included: 1) the formation and concentration of nucleotides
in the brain during development and under normal and pathological
conditions; 2) the effect of intra axonal injection of certain key enzymes
and co-factors; 3) the chemical basis of action of psychotomimetic
compounds and tranquilizing agents; 4) the mechanisms of action of
elements concerned with initiation and inhibition of nerve action po
tential; 5) the source and fate of gamma-amino butyric acid; 6) the
mechanism of the formation of cholesterol and compounds which con
tain aromatic rings; and 7) the elucidation of the biosynthesis mechan
ism of inositol phosphatides.^15
Throughout Kety’s and Livingston’s tenures, several attempts were
made to recruit a chief for the Laboratory of Neurochemistry. By 1957,
two distinguished scientists, in succession, were identified and invited to
take the position. Each one was interested in joining the basic research
program, even if it would bring no increase in salary. The significant
handicap, however, was a lack of sufficient laboratory space. Each can
didate was willing to sacrifice his existing space for the benefit of the
interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere he would find at the