Definition
André Strohl (28 March 1887 – 30 January 1977) was a French physiologist and physician noted for his co‑discovery of the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy later named Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Overview
Born in Strasbourg, then part of the German Empire, Strohl pursued medical studies at the University of Strasbourg, receiving his doctorate in 1913. During World War I, he served as a medical officer, where he collaborated with neurologists Georges Guillain and Jean Alexandre Barré. In 1916, the trio described a distinct clinical syndrome characterized by rapid onset of muscle weakness, areflexia, and cerebrospinal‑fluid (CSF) albuminocytologic dissociation. Their findings were published in the Bulletin de la Société Médicale des Hôpitaux de Paris. While Guillain and Barré are most often associated with the eponym, Strohl’s contributions—particularly his electrophysiological investigations—were integral to the original description.
After the war, Strohl continued his work in physiology, holding positions at the University of Paris and later at the Institut de Physiologie. He contributed to research on nerve conduction, muscle physiology, and the electrical properties of biological tissues. Strohl retired from active research in the 1950s and died in Paris in 1977.
Etymology/Origin
The given name “André” is the French form of “Andrew,” derived from the Greek name Andréas meaning “manly” or “courageous.” The surname “Strohl” is of Germanic origin, likely a variant of “Strol,” which may derive from a topographic name for someone living near a marshy area (from Middle High German strol “marsh”). The combination reflects Strohl’s Alsatian heritage, where French and German linguistic influences intersect.
Characteristics
- Professional focus: Neurophysiology and clinical neurology.
- Key contribution: Electrophysiological assessment of peripheral nerves in the 1916 description of the syndrome now known as Guillain–Barré syndrome.
- Methodology: Utilized early galvanometric techniques to measure nerve conduction velocities, establishing a basis for modern neurophysiological diagnostics.
- Academic positions: Faculty member at the University of Paris’s Faculty of Medicine; researcher at the Institut de Physiologie.
- Publications: Co‑author of the seminal 1916 paper “Sur un syndrome de radiculonévrite aiguë avec hyperprotéinorachie” and several subsequent articles on nerve excitability and muscle fatigue.
Related Topics
- Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Neurophysiology
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- Early 20th‑century French medicine
- Electrophysiology of peripheral nerves
- Georges Guillain
- Jean Alexandre Barré