- Email: [email protected]
Corneille Radouco-Thomas, MD, 1916–2003
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 27 (2003) 1065 – 1066 www.elsevier.com/locate/pnpbp
In Memoriam
Corneille Radouco-Thomas, MD, 1916–2003
Dr. Corneille Radouco-Thomas, Emeritus professor of pharmacology at Laval University in Quebec City, died on Thursday, June 26, 2003, at age 86. Corneille Radouco was born on July 4, 1916 in Brasov, a medieval town in Transylvania (Romania). During his childhood the family moved to Giurgiu, where his father worked as an advisor to the oil industry, and where Corneille completed his college education. In 1933, Corneille entered the Medical School of the University of Bucharest. He graduated there as a medical doctor in 1941. Subsequently, he became a certified specialist in internal medicine and was appointed assistant professor at this same University. From 1944 to 1946, in addition to his clinical activities, he involved himself on a part time basis in research activities at the prestigious Institute J. Cantacuzene. Romania became part of the Soviet block after the Second World War. Corneille facing a most uncertain future decided to leave his country. In 1946, he was granted a doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2003.09.018
research fellowship from the French Government for advanced studies in physiology at the Paris Faculty of Sciences (Sorbonne). And there, he then became a research associate of the Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques (CNRS). In 1947, at the Sorbonne, he met Simone Thomas from Metz (Lorraine, France), a student of physiology, who was to become his wife. They were married in Vatican City at the St. Peter’s Basilica on the 8th of July, 1949. For the next 54 years which followed, Simone also became Corneille’s research and teaching partner. They decided to join their family names and he became Corneille Radouco-Thomas. In 1950, the couple moved to Geneva (Switzerland) where Corneille was appointed Director of Research and Associate Professor at the Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the Geneva University Medical School. For over a decade, Corneille concentrated his research efforts on the pathogenesis of epilepsy and pain, as well as on the mechanism of action of narcotic analgesics. He discovered the important role of the adrenergic system in the mechanism of action of narcotic analgesics, and demonstrated that the adrenergic syndrome induced in cats by morphine and morphinomimetic drugs can be blocked by psychotropic drugs, such as chlorpromazine and reserpine. A pioneer in neuropsychopharmacology, with his unique background in clinical medicine and neuropharmacology, Radouco-Thomas was one of the first to recognize the need for a forum which could facilitate communication between the disciplines involved in this burgeoning new field. In the course of the First International Symposium on Psychotropic Drugs held in Milan in 1957, he proposed the founding of the organization which was to become CINP. In September of the same year, he became one of the founding members of the new organization which, on his recommendation, was given the name Collegium Internationale NeuroPsychopharmacologicum (CINP). Acting as secretary in the first and second CINP executives, he collaborated with Emilio Trabucchi on the organization of the First International Congress of the Collegium in Rome in 1958, and coedited with Philip Bradley and Pierre Deniker the proceedings of this Congress. In 1961, at the invitation of Laval University, RadoucoThomas and his wife Simone moved from Switzerland to
1066
In Memoriam
Quebec City, for setting up the foundation of a department of pharmacology at the Medical School. A tireless worker, he succeeded over the years to build a well-structured department with an outstanding educational program, and with internationally recognized research activities. He was focusing on the development of experimental models of morphine dependence and alcohol abuse. Always at the cutting edge of science, Radouco-Thomas was one of the first to employ a bio-psycho-social approach in his studies in alcoholism. A dedicated and highly acclaimed teacher, he remained actively involved in the department’s teaching program until his retirement in 1991, at age 75. His well-structured and stimulating courses, put much emphasis on the rational character of modern pharmacology, and have remained todate in the memory of many Laval graduates, the high point of their experience at the Medical School. Radouco-Thomas’ creative imagination is probably best reflected in his editorial activities. Throughout his long professional career, he was the founder and editor-in-chief of many scientific journals and publications. At age 30, he already had successfully launched Medicina Romana, a bimonthly review in general medicine with information directed to the medical profession. Fifteen years later, in 1961, he was one of the two founding editor-in-chiefs of the International Journal of Neuropharmacology. In the same year he embarked on the preparation of the International Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. This monumental work, sponsored by the International Union of
Pharmacologists (IUPHAR) covers all the different aspects of pharmacology. Its numerous chapters have been written by leading authorities. It took eight years, from 1961 to 1969, for Radouco-Thomas and G. Peters to complete the 40 volume series. Finally, in 1975, Radouco-Thomas launched Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, one of the first multidisciplinary journals in the field with an international editorial board of scientists and clinicians from around the world. He was Honorary Editorin-Chief of the journal at the time of his death. In his dark suit, bow tie and strong-rimmed eye-glasses, moving slowly and talking slowly, Corneille RadoucoThomas was the professor. But behind this facade, there was a very sensitive, unconventional, open and accessible man with great warmth and ongoing concern with spiritual values. Corneille Radouco-Thomas is being survived by his wife, Simone, retired professor of pharmacology, by his daughter, Monelly, and his son-in-law, Jacques Thivierge, both clinical psychiatrists involved in teaching and research at Laval University. He will be dearly missed by his family and colleagues, and by all of us who were close to him.
Thomas A.Ban Member of the Editorial Board (PNPBP), Vanderbilt University, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Tel.: +1-416-324-8761; fax: +1-416-924-2646
In Memoriam
Corneille Radouco-Thomas, MD, 1916–2003
Dr. Corneille Radouco-Thomas, Emeritus professor of pharmacology at Laval University in Quebec City, died on Thursday, June 26, 2003, at age 86. Corneille Radouco was born on July 4, 1916 in Brasov, a medieval town in Transylvania (Romania). During his childhood the family moved to Giurgiu, where his father worked as an advisor to the oil industry, and where Corneille completed his college education. In 1933, Corneille entered the Medical School of the University of Bucharest. He graduated there as a medical doctor in 1941. Subsequently, he became a certified specialist in internal medicine and was appointed assistant professor at this same University. From 1944 to 1946, in addition to his clinical activities, he involved himself on a part time basis in research activities at the prestigious Institute J. Cantacuzene. Romania became part of the Soviet block after the Second World War. Corneille facing a most uncertain future decided to leave his country. In 1946, he was granted a doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2003.09.018
research fellowship from the French Government for advanced studies in physiology at the Paris Faculty of Sciences (Sorbonne). And there, he then became a research associate of the Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques (CNRS). In 1947, at the Sorbonne, he met Simone Thomas from Metz (Lorraine, France), a student of physiology, who was to become his wife. They were married in Vatican City at the St. Peter’s Basilica on the 8th of July, 1949. For the next 54 years which followed, Simone also became Corneille’s research and teaching partner. They decided to join their family names and he became Corneille Radouco-Thomas. In 1950, the couple moved to Geneva (Switzerland) where Corneille was appointed Director of Research and Associate Professor at the Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the Geneva University Medical School. For over a decade, Corneille concentrated his research efforts on the pathogenesis of epilepsy and pain, as well as on the mechanism of action of narcotic analgesics. He discovered the important role of the adrenergic system in the mechanism of action of narcotic analgesics, and demonstrated that the adrenergic syndrome induced in cats by morphine and morphinomimetic drugs can be blocked by psychotropic drugs, such as chlorpromazine and reserpine. A pioneer in neuropsychopharmacology, with his unique background in clinical medicine and neuropharmacology, Radouco-Thomas was one of the first to recognize the need for a forum which could facilitate communication between the disciplines involved in this burgeoning new field. In the course of the First International Symposium on Psychotropic Drugs held in Milan in 1957, he proposed the founding of the organization which was to become CINP. In September of the same year, he became one of the founding members of the new organization which, on his recommendation, was given the name Collegium Internationale NeuroPsychopharmacologicum (CINP). Acting as secretary in the first and second CINP executives, he collaborated with Emilio Trabucchi on the organization of the First International Congress of the Collegium in Rome in 1958, and coedited with Philip Bradley and Pierre Deniker the proceedings of this Congress. In 1961, at the invitation of Laval University, RadoucoThomas and his wife Simone moved from Switzerland to
1066
In Memoriam
Quebec City, for setting up the foundation of a department of pharmacology at the Medical School. A tireless worker, he succeeded over the years to build a well-structured department with an outstanding educational program, and with internationally recognized research activities. He was focusing on the development of experimental models of morphine dependence and alcohol abuse. Always at the cutting edge of science, Radouco-Thomas was one of the first to employ a bio-psycho-social approach in his studies in alcoholism. A dedicated and highly acclaimed teacher, he remained actively involved in the department’s teaching program until his retirement in 1991, at age 75. His well-structured and stimulating courses, put much emphasis on the rational character of modern pharmacology, and have remained todate in the memory of many Laval graduates, the high point of their experience at the Medical School. Radouco-Thomas’ creative imagination is probably best reflected in his editorial activities. Throughout his long professional career, he was the founder and editor-in-chief of many scientific journals and publications. At age 30, he already had successfully launched Medicina Romana, a bimonthly review in general medicine with information directed to the medical profession. Fifteen years later, in 1961, he was one of the two founding editor-in-chiefs of the International Journal of Neuropharmacology. In the same year he embarked on the preparation of the International Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. This monumental work, sponsored by the International Union of
Pharmacologists (IUPHAR) covers all the different aspects of pharmacology. Its numerous chapters have been written by leading authorities. It took eight years, from 1961 to 1969, for Radouco-Thomas and G. Peters to complete the 40 volume series. Finally, in 1975, Radouco-Thomas launched Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, one of the first multidisciplinary journals in the field with an international editorial board of scientists and clinicians from around the world. He was Honorary Editorin-Chief of the journal at the time of his death. In his dark suit, bow tie and strong-rimmed eye-glasses, moving slowly and talking slowly, Corneille RadoucoThomas was the professor. But behind this facade, there was a very sensitive, unconventional, open and accessible man with great warmth and ongoing concern with spiritual values. Corneille Radouco-Thomas is being survived by his wife, Simone, retired professor of pharmacology, by his daughter, Monelly, and his son-in-law, Jacques Thivierge, both clinical psychiatrists involved in teaching and research at Laval University. He will be dearly missed by his family and colleagues, and by all of us who were close to him.
Thomas A.Ban Member of the Editorial Board (PNPBP), Vanderbilt University, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Tel.: +1-416-324-8761; fax: +1-416-924-2646