Russell Morse Wilder

Russell Morse Wilder

Russell Morse Wilder (1885–1959) was an eminent American physician and medical researcher who is best known for his significant contributions to the field of medicine. He is particularly recognized for his pioneering work in the development of the ketogenic diet, a specialized diet used primarily to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsy in children.

Early Life and Education

Wilder was born in New York City in 1885. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University and went on to earn his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1911.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Wilder joined the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he spent the majority of his career. He served as the head of the Endocrine and Metabolic Section from 1919 to 1941. During his tenure at the Mayo Clinic, Wilder conducted extensive research on diabetes and metabolism, and he was instrumental in the development of the ketogenic diet.

Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Wilder developed this diet in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy. He found that fasting, which had been used to treat epilepsy since antiquity, could be mimicked by a diet that was low in carbohydrates and high in fat. This led to the development of the ketogenic diet, which is still used today to treat children with epilepsy that does not respond to other treatments.

Legacy

Wilder's work has had a lasting impact on the field of medicine. His research on the ketogenic diet has provided a valuable treatment option for children with refractory epilepsy, and his contributions to the understanding of diabetes and metabolism have informed subsequent research in these areas.

See Also

• Ketogenic Diet
• Epilepsy
• Mayo Clinic

References

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