Arvid CarlssonBorn 25 Jan 1923.Swedish neuroscientist who shared (with Paul Greengard and Eric R. Kandel) the 2000 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology “for their discoveries concerning signal transduction in the nervous system.” He made fundamental contributions to understanding of the brain through his research on synaptic transmission—the method of communication between neurons. He discovered the roles of seratonin and dopamine as chemical neurotransmitters, thus adding a whole new mode of action to the existing knowledge of electrical neurotransmission (via action potentials). His work led to the development of levodopa, te first drug to treat Parkinson's disease symptons. Carlsson also introduced the first selective re-uptake inhimitor, zimelidine, which led to development of Prozac and Zoloft for the treatment of depression.« |
