Constantin von Monakow (1853-1930) and Lina Stern (1878-1968)

The physiologist Lina Stern (1878–1968), from Baltic origin, and the neuro scientist Constantin von Monakow (1853–1930), from Russian origin, are the protagonists of this article. Lina Stern studied medicine and initiated research work at the Physiology Institute in Geneva. Her research career was quite unique and led, unusually soon, to a professorship. Monakow was professor and head at the BrainAnatomy Institute of the University of Zurich. Late in his career, he was among the first to work on the problem of the BloodBrainBarrier. In 1915, he hypothesised that the brain needs to be protected by the plexus choroideus and the “GliaSchirm”. Monakow observed severe degeneration of the plexus at autopsy, suggesting that the barrier had lost its protection. The publication was not well received, prob ably because the microphotographs were of doubtful quality and difficult to interpret. At the Institute of Physiology in Geneva, Lina Stern used a physiological approach of testing substances in terms of barrier penetration. Her team dis covered some substances which had the capacity to be transported through membranes of the brain. She coined the term “BloodBrainBarrier” (BBB) and soon obtained a high international profile. In 1925, she accepted an offer to continue her research in Moscow. Her career continued most successfully as the only female Academician. However, late in the Stalin era, she suffered in prison and was exiled to Kasakstan. She died in 1968.