Julius Axelrod
Pharmacologist Julius Axelrod’s studies of neurotransmission of adrenalin and amphetamines led to his investigations into drugs for treatment of mental illness.
Synopsis
Julius Axelrod was born in New York City. He became a biochemist for the National Heart Institute then joined the National Institute for Mental Health. His studies of neurotransmission of adrenalin and amphetamines led to his investigations into psychoactive drugs for treatment of mental illness. He shared the 1970 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Bernard Katz and Ulf von Euler.
Professional Career
Pharmacologist Julius Axelrod was born in New York City, New York, on May 30, 1912. He studied at New York University (1941) and George Washington University, Washington DC (1955). He also worked as a chemist at the Laboratory of Industrial Hygiene (1935–'45) in New York City, and as a research associate at Goldwater Memorial Hospital (1946–'49). He became a biochemist for the National Heart Institute (1949–'55), then joined the National Institute for Mental Health (1955–'84), remaining as a guest worker (1984).
His studies of neurotransmission of adrenalin and amphetamines led to his investigations into psychoactive drugs for treatment of mental illness, including schizophrenia. He shared the 1970 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Bernard Katz and Ulf von Euler for his work on chemical neurotransmission and pharmacological interactions.
