Nathan S. Kline
Encyclopedia
Nathan S. Kline, M.D. (1916–1983) was a man of diverse talents and interests whose mind was ever open to new ideas. He was best known for his pioneering work with psychopharmacologic drugs.
A graduate of the New York University School of Medicine
, he is the only two-time winner of the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research
, an award sometimes referred to as "America's Nobel Prize." Kline was best known for his pioneering work with psychopharmacologic
drugs. In 1952, he started a research unit at Rockland State Hospital, NY (later the Rockland Psychiatric Center). At that time, the national inpatient population in public hospitals was approaching the half-million mark. Traditional therapies seemed inadequate to treat the growing number of mentally ill patients.
Kline and his colleagues took the unusual step of investigating reserpine
, a derivative of Rauwolfia serpentina
. Rauwolfia was commonly used in India
to treat many physical complaints,and reserpine was being used in the US to treat high blood pressure. For two years, trials with hospitalized patients found that approximately 70% of those suffering from schizophrenia
were markedly relieved from their symptoms.
Many laboratory techniques were developed to determine the therapeutic doses of frequently used medications, doses which are safe yet effective at the Rockland Research Institute.
In 1960, Manfred Clynes
and Nathan S. Kline coined the term cyborg
, using it in an article in Astronautics Magazine about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. Along a similar vein, Kline believed that computers could be used in large scale epidemiological studies and streamline the administration of complex health facilities. In 1968 he oversaw the installation of a major computer center at Rockland, funded by the Federal government. He led the development of many computerized medical systems, which led to improvements in patient care.
After his death, the Rockland State Hospital was renamed the Nathan S. Kline Institute (NKI) for Psychiatric Research, part of the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Dr. Kline's only sibling was distinguished American Art dealer Terry Dintenfass
.
A graduate of the New York University School of Medicine
New York University School of Medicine
The New York University School of Medicine is one of the graduate schools of New York University. Founded in 1841 as the University Medical College, the NYU School of Medicine is one of the foremost medical schools in the United States....
, he is the only two-time winner of the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research
Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research
Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award is awarded by the Lasker Foundation for the understanding, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and cure of disease. The award was renamed in 2008 in honor of Michael E. DeBakey...
, an award sometimes referred to as "America's Nobel Prize." Kline was best known for his pioneering work with psychopharmacologic
Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the actions of drugs and their effects on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior...
drugs. In 1952, he started a research unit at Rockland State Hospital, NY (later the Rockland Psychiatric Center). At that time, the national inpatient population in public hospitals was approaching the half-million mark. Traditional therapies seemed inadequate to treat the growing number of mentally ill patients.
Kline and his colleagues took the unusual step of investigating reserpine
Reserpine
Reserpine is an indole alkaloid antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and for the relief of psychotic symptoms, although because of the development of better drugs for these purposes and because of its numerous side-effects, it is rarely...
, a derivative of Rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina
Rauvolfia serpentina, or 'snakeroot' or 'sarpagandha' is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae.-Medicinal uses:It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name shégēn mù or yìndù shémù .Rauwolfia serpentina contains a number of...
. Rauwolfia was commonly used in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to treat many physical complaints,and reserpine was being used in the US to treat high blood pressure. For two years, trials with hospitalized patients found that approximately 70% of those suffering from schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
were markedly relieved from their symptoms.
Many laboratory techniques were developed to determine the therapeutic doses of frequently used medications, doses which are safe yet effective at the Rockland Research Institute.
In 1960, Manfred Clynes
Manfred Clynes
Manfred Clynes is a scientist, inventor, and musician. He is best known for his innovations and discoveries in the interpretation of music, and for his contributions to the study of biological systems and neurophysiology.-Overview:...
and Nathan S. Kline coined the term cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
, using it in an article in Astronautics Magazine about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. Along a similar vein, Kline believed that computers could be used in large scale epidemiological studies and streamline the administration of complex health facilities. In 1968 he oversaw the installation of a major computer center at Rockland, funded by the Federal government. He led the development of many computerized medical systems, which led to improvements in patient care.
After his death, the Rockland State Hospital was renamed the Nathan S. Kline Institute (NKI) for Psychiatric Research, part of the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Dr. Kline's only sibling was distinguished American Art dealer Terry Dintenfass
Terry Dintenfass
Terry Dintenfass was an American art dealer. Terry Dintenfass established her first gallery, the D Contemporary, in 1954 in the lobby of the Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1959, she moved to Manhattan and opened the ....
.
See also
- PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology is the scientific study of the actions of drugs and their effects on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior...
- Psychiatric medicationPsychiatric medicationA psychiatric medication is a licensed psychoactive drug taken to exert an effect on the mental state and used to treat mental disorders. Usually prescribed in psychiatric settings, these medications are typically made of synthetic chemical compounds, although some are naturally occurring, or at...
- PsychiatryPsychiatryPsychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
- Mental healthMental healthMental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchNathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchThe Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research is a New York State-funded research Institute, located in Orangeburg, New York.NKI is dedicated to research designed to better understand the causes of mental illnesses, and to improving the lives of people with mental illness. The Institute...
- CyborgCyborgA cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
External links
- http://www.academic.marist.edu/VBSC/mricenter/kline.htm
- http://books.google.com/books?id=6O2rPJnyhj0C&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=nathan+kline+nobel&source=bl&ots=9Guz85FKfR&sig=ybUxyuiTVU3PwP25t1mnujDJi2Y&hl=en&ei=jA48So7ZOYK8M8-M4bsO&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
- http://www.rfmh.org/nki/welcome/kline.cfm
- New York Times Obituary