C. Miller Fisher

Charles Miller Fisher (December 5, 1913 – April 14, 2012) was a Canadian-American neurologist renowned for his pioneering research in the field of stroke and cerebrovascular disease. His work significantly advanced the understanding of the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke, and he is often referred to as the "father of modern stroke research."

Early Life and Education

C. Miller Fisher was born in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and went on to earn his medical degree from the same institution in 1938. Following his graduation, Fisher served as a medical officer in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II.

Career

After the war, Fisher pursued further training in neurology at the Montreal Neurological Institute under the mentorship of Wilder Penfield. He later moved to the United States to continue his research and clinical work. Fisher joined the faculty at Harvard Medical School and worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he conducted much of his groundbreaking research.

Contributions to Neurology

Fisher's research focused on the pathology and clinical aspects of stroke. He was instrumental in identifying the role of atherosclerosis in cerebrovascular disease and described several important clinical syndromes, including:

• Lacunar stroke: Fisher's work on small vessel disease in the brain led to the identification of lacunar strokes, which are caused by the occlusion of small penetrating arteries.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Fisher was one of the first to describe TIAs as "mini-strokes" that serve as warning signs for future strokes.
• Fisher syndrome: A variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, characterized by ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia.

Legacy

C. Miller Fisher's contributions to neurology have had a lasting impact on the field. His work laid the foundation for modern stroke prevention and treatment strategies. Fisher received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the American Heart Association's Gold Heart Award.

Also see

• Stroke
• Neurology
• Atherosclerosis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Transient ischemic attack