Fred Plum

Fred Plum
Born	January 10, 1924 Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Died	June 11, 2010 New York City, New York, USA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Neurologist
Known for	Coma research, Plum and Posner's "The Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma"

Fred Plum (January 10, 1924 – June 11, 2010) was a pioneering American neurologist renowned for his work in the field of neurology, particularly in the study of coma and disorders of consciousness. He is best known for co-authoring the seminal book "The Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma" with Jerome B. Posner.

Early Life and Education

Fred Plum was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1924. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, where he developed an interest in the biological sciences. Plum went on to attend Cornell University Medical College, earning his medical degree in 1947.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Plum trained in neurology at the New York Neurological Institute at Columbia University. He later joined the faculty at Cornell University, where he became a full professor and head of the neurology department.

Plum's research focused on the mechanisms of consciousness and the clinical management of patients in comatose states. His collaboration with Jerome Posner led to the publication of "The Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma" in 1966, a landmark text that provided a systematic approach to diagnosing and managing patients with impaired consciousness.

Contributions to Neurology

Fred Plum's work significantly advanced the understanding of coma and related disorders. He introduced the concept of the "locked-in syndrome," a condition where patients are conscious but unable to move or communicate verbally due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles except for the eyes.

Plum also contributed to the development of the Glasgow Coma Scale, a clinical tool used to assess the level of consciousness in patients with acute brain injury.

Legacy

Fred Plum's contributions to neurology have had a lasting impact on the field. His work laid the foundation for modern approaches to diagnosing and treating disorders of consciousness. Plum's influence extends beyond his research, as he was a dedicated educator and mentor to many students and professionals in the field of neurology.

Personal Life

Fred Plum was married and had children. He was known for his passion for teaching and his commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

Death

Fred Plum passed away on June 11, 2010, in New York City. His legacy continues through his contributions to medical literature and the many neurologists he trained and inspired.

Also see

• Jerome B. Posner
• Coma
• Locked-in syndrome
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Neurology