Łucja Frey

Polish neurologist and researcher

Łucja Frey (November 3, 1889 – 1942) was a pioneering Polish neurologist and researcher, best known for her discovery of Frey's syndrome. Her work significantly contributed to the field of neurology, particularly in understanding the autonomic nervous system.

Early Life and Education

Łucja Frey in 1919

Łucja Frey was born in Lwów, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is now in Ukraine. She pursued her medical studies at the University of Lwów, where she graduated with a degree in medicine in 1923. Frey was one of the few women in her time to enter the field of medicine, overcoming significant societal barriers.

Career and Research

After completing her education, Frey worked at the Lwów General Hospital, where she conducted her groundbreaking research. Her most notable contribution to medicine was the identification of what is now known as Frey's syndrome, a condition characterized by sweating and flushing in the cheek area when eating, due to damage to the auriculotemporal nerve.

In 1923, Frey published her findings in a paper titled "Le syndrome du nerf auriculo-temporal," which detailed the symptoms and proposed mechanisms of the syndrome. Her work laid the foundation for further research into the autonomic nervous system and its disorders.

Frey's Syndrome

Frey's original 1923 publication

Frey's syndrome, also known as gustatory sweating, occurs when the auriculotemporal nerve is damaged, often as a result of surgery or trauma. This damage causes the nerve fibers to regenerate abnormally, leading to the unusual symptom of sweating while eating. Frey's detailed description of the syndrome provided a basis for understanding the condition and developing treatment strategies.

Later Life and Legacy

During World War II, Frey, being of Jewish descent, faced persecution under the Nazi occupation of Poland. She continued her medical practice in the Lwów Ghetto until her tragic death in 1942. Despite the brevity of her career, Frey's contributions to neurology have had a lasting impact.

Frey's work is remembered for its pioneering nature and the challenges she overcame as a woman in a male-dominated field. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of neurologists and researchers.

Related Pages

• Neurology
• Autonomic nervous system
• Auriculotemporal nerve
• Gustatory sweating