H. Houston Merritt

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merritt houston

H. Houston Merritt (1902–1979) was a prominent American neurologist known for his significant contributions to the field of neurology. He is best known for his work on epilepsy and the development of anticonvulsant medications.

Early Life and Education

Hiram Houston Merritt was born on January 12, 1902, in Wilson, North Carolina. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1926.

Career

Merritt began his career at the Boston City Hospital, where he worked under the mentorship of renowned neurologist Stanley Cobb. In 1935, he joined the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and later became the Chief of Neurology at the New York Neurological Institute at Columbia University in 1948.

Contributions to Neurology

Merritt made several groundbreaking contributions to neurology, particularly in the study and treatment of epilepsy. He co-authored the influential textbook Merritt's Neurology, which remains a key reference in the field. Merritt was instrumental in the development of phenytoin, one of the first effective anticonvulsant drugs, which revolutionized the treatment of epilepsy.

Research and Publications

Throughout his career, Merritt published numerous articles and research papers on various neurological disorders. His work on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the diagnosis of neurological diseases was particularly influential.

Awards and Honors

Merritt received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medicine, including the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award and the American Academy of Neurology's highest honor, the A.B. Baker Award.

Personal Life

Merritt was married and had three children. He passed away on January 9, 1979, in New York City.

Legacy

H. Houston Merritt's legacy continues through the ongoing use of his textbook and the impact of his research on the treatment of neurological disorders. The H. Houston Merritt Clinical Research Center at Columbia University is named in his honor.

Related Pages

• Neurology
• Epilepsy
• Phenytoin
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Columbia University
• American Academy of Neurology