Neurology in Hennepin County from 1955-1975

As recalled by Harold H. Noran, M. D.

The greatest change in the specialty of Neurology was the splitting of Neuropsychiatry into separate specialties of Neurology and Psychiatry. The University had both divisions under Neuropsychiatry and eventually became two separate departments. Under A. B; Baker, the Department of Neurology became one of the largest academic training centers in the country. Minneapolis is recognized as having the largest number of pure medical neurologists in private practice in respect to population.

Several years ago the Hennepin County Society of Neurology was formed and shortly thereafter was expanded to include St. Paul -- The Greater Twin City Neurological Society. The Minneapolis Clinic of Neuropsychiatry split into two divisions to become The Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology. In 1972, the first clinic of only neurologists was formed, the Noran Neurological Clinic, a nine man group. In 1953, the first neurological service originated at the Hennepin County Medical Center. During this period an independent neurological service existed at the Veterans Administration Hospital. This year the first neurological station in a private hospital was started at Metropolitan Medical Center with nursing staff specially trained in care and evaluation of the neurological patient. This station will become a thirty seven bed unit in a new location as the current building program is completed. During the last two years a number of medical students have been taking their neurology clerkship in several Minneapolis private hospitals.

Various procedures have appeared with rapid growth to enhance the diagnosis and treatment and understanding of neurological disease. One can only mention some: electroencephalography, angiography of both the brain and spinal cord, the pneumoencephalogy chair with tomography, spinogram refinements including clivograms, improved muscle biopsy with enzymatic stains, the electronmicroscope, brain scanning, the electromyogram, and EMI scanner (computerized axial tomography).

 

The American Academy of Neurology actually originated from Minneapolis, with its national headquarters located here. Its first President was A. B. Baker. The first Chief of Neurology at the V.A. Hospital was Royal Gray, followed by Milton Alter. The first Chief at the General Hospital was Harold Noran, followed by Milton Ettinger. The first Chief of Child Neurology at the University was Michael Blau, followed by Kenneth Swaiman.

One cannot close without mentioning the L-dopa treatment of Parkinson’s disease which has largely replaced the surgical therapies. The important discovery of slow virus disease seems destined to explain at least some of the degenerative diseases as has occurred in Jacob Creutchfeld’s disease and Kuru. Also, one must mention the research work done locally by the child neurologists to further our knowledge of genetic and inborn errors of metabolim.

The discovery of frequent extracranial disease of the cerebral arteries as a common cause of strokes has led to increased interest in anticoagulant and thrombolysin treatment. The surgical repair of angiographic lesions of the carotid bifurcation has demonstrated its value in preventing recurring T. I. A.’s or transitory strokes. The discovery of auto-immunity has led to the steroid therapy of conditions such as myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis. During this period Neurology has become a treatment specialty and not just an intellectual diagnostic exercise.

It is a pleasure to conclude that Hennepin County has become one of the outstanding areas in the growth and progress of Neurology.

Harold H. Noran, M. D.