Dr. José Manuel Martínez-Lage, a pioneer in Neurology, passes away
Professor of many generations of physicians, he was for nearly three decades the director of the department of Neurology at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
25 | 06 | 2024
Dr. José Manuel Martínez-Lage, pioneer of Neurology in Spain and director for almost thirty years of the department of Neurology of the University of Navarra, died yesterday in Pamplona at the age of 88. Clínica Universidad de Navarradied yesterday June 24 in Pamplona at the age of 88. Born in Betanzos (La Coruña), he studied Medicine at the University of Santiago (1959) and received his PhD from the University of Navarra (1967).
"Professor Martínez-Lage has been an excellent professor and clinical neurologist, with classes at the School difficult to forget, as well as his contributions in discussions on clinical cases and diagnostic challenges, putting clarity and making understandable what was obscure and difficult to understand," highlights Dr. Eduardo Martínez Vila, neurologist and former director of the department of Neurology.
He learned clinical electroencephalography with Dr. Teijeira, first in Santiago and then in Pamplona, and received training postgraduate training at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris with Professor Garcin. He perfected his specialization as Visiting Professor at King's College Hospital Medical School in London with Professor Marsden.
Dr. Martínez-Lage joined the Clinic in 1966 thanks to Dr. Javier Teijeira and, after the creation of department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, he was appointed director. Thanks to his organizational qualities and management, his entrepreneurial spirit, his firm commitment to research, his empathy and professional recognition, he managed to place department among the most prestigious Neurology centers in the country.
"In his extensive academic and healthcare activity, there have been many promotions of students and residents, as well as numerous physicians at training and patients who continue to remember him with affection for the mark he has left on Neurology," recalls Martínez-Vila. "Throughout his professional activity, he devoted himself to the Clinic and to the University of Navarra, even rejecting tempting offers in his academic and healthcare career as a neurologist, degree program ".
He directed the department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Clinic, from 1966 to 1993. From that year, he was clinical consultant , director of the Neurosciences Program and director of the Alzheimer's program of the University. In the 1960s he conducted research in Epileptology, was president of the Spanish League Against Epilepsy and secretary of the Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy.
In the 70's he focused his programs of study on Parkinson's disease, without abandoning his major specialization : Neuropharmacology. He published with Professor Flórez the work Fundamental and Clinical Neuropharmacology. He was president of the European Association for Clinical Neuropharmacology. Since 1987 he has dedicated his clinical and research activity to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and was director of the international network of the Consortium for Establishing a Registry of Alzheimer Disease.
He published nearly 800 titles including books, chapters and original articles. In addition to being vice-president of the World Federation of Neurology, he was president of the Spanish Society of Neurology and received the Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise.
