Ludwig Pick

Ludwig Pick

Ludwig Pick, German pathologist

Born	August 31, 1868
Birth place	Landsberg an der Warthe, Prussia (now Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland)
Died	February 3, 1944
Place of death	Theresienstadt Ghetto, Czechoslovakia
Nationality	German
Known for	Pick's disease, Niemann-Pick disease

Ludwig Pick (August 31, 1868 – February 3, 1944) was a renowned German pathologist known for his pioneering work in the field of pathology, particularly in the study of lipid storage disorders. He is best known for his contributions to the understanding of Pick's disease and Niemann-Pick disease.

Early Life and Education

Ludwig Pick was born in Landsberg an der Warthe, Prussia, which is now Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland. He pursued his medical education at the University of Berlin, where he developed a keen interest in pathology. After completing his studies, Pick worked under the mentorship of several prominent pathologists, which greatly influenced his future research.

Career and Research

Pick's career was primarily based in Berlin, where he worked at the Charité Hospital, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in Germany. His research focused on the pathological basis of various diseases, with a particular emphasis on disorders involving lipid metabolism.

Pick's Disease

Pick's disease is a type of frontotemporal dementia characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. Pick was the first to describe the pathological features of this disease, including the presence of Pick bodies in the brain. His work laid the foundation for further research into neurodegenerative disorders.

Niemann-Pick Disease

Niemann-Pick disease is a group of inherited metabolic disorders known as lysosomal storage disorders. Pick's research identified the accumulation of sphingomyelin in the cells of affected individuals, which is a hallmark of the disease. His work was instrumental in classifying the different types of Niemann-Pick disease.

Legacy

Ludwig Pick's contributions to medical science have had a lasting impact on the field of pathology. His work on lipid storage disorders has paved the way for modern research into genetic and metabolic diseases. Despite the challenges he faced during his lifetime, including the rise of the Nazi regime, Pick's scientific legacy endures.

Death

Tragically, Ludwig Pick's life was cut short during the Holocaust. He was deported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Czechoslovakia, where he died on February 3, 1944.

Also see

• Pathology
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Lipid storage disorders
• Charité Hospital