Berta (December 1, 1906 to July 23, 1995) and Ernst (1905 to April 29, 1965) Scharrer –The beginnings of neurosecretion
Submitted by Alan D. Rogol, MD, Ph.D.
Berta and Ernst Scharrer attended the University of Munich and began a life-long exploration of an almost heretical concept of neurosecretion. Ernst noted that some neurons in the hypothalamus had granules suggesting endocrine function. They immigrated to the US, worked at several universities, finally arriving at the new Albert Einstein College of Medicine with Ernst as Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Berta as a full professor. Their seminal work showed neural granules likely actively being secreted. Over the years Berta investigated this concept in invertebrates, especially the ultrastructure of the classical neurosecretory cell, and Ernst in vertebrates (Rec Progr Horm Res 1954; 10:183). Their work eventually led to the discovery of the releasing hormones for the anterior pituitary.