Hans Helmut Kornhuber: Neurologist—Engaged Clinician—Neurophysiologist—Scientist and Humanist

Synopsis 1: This contribution in memoriam Hans Helmut Kornhuber, 1928–2009, Freiburg – Baltimore – Ulm, Chair of Neurology and founding Professor of Neurology of Ulm University was prepared for the “Memorial Symposium – Prof. Hans Helmut Kornhuber” on June 20, 2013 during the 53rd International Neuropsychiatric Pula Congress. It is an attempt to bear in remembrance Hans Helmut Kornhuber's scientific legacy. The aim is to give a review of his immensely broad range of interests. Kornhuber was one of the last shining examples of what has been called “Naturforscher und Arzt”/“Researcher and Physician” in the 19th and early 20th century. Reviewing his scientific oeuvre includes: Kornhuber's early interest in epistemiology and brain function. His work on the sensory systems/perception, conducting many experiments at Baltimore with Mountcastle and his team on skin receptors/tactile sensibility, and also measuring the channel capacity of sensory systems and consciousness. The entire field of Neurology he knew in extenso, there were not many clinicians engaged with such an intensity as Kornhuber with his always up to date and profound knowledge about new developments and therapies in neurology, and he conducted his own research into new therapies with particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, movement disorders, etc. For Psychiatry as well he made important contributions, e.g. the glutamate theory. To Oto-Rhino-Laryngology he contributed a lot, e.g. hand book articles such as ‘Physiology and Clinic of the Vestibular System’. Kornhuber also discovered the eye muscle field in the cerebellum.