Rita Levi Montalcini was an Italian neurologist who made groundbreaking discoveries in nerve growth factor (NGF) while conducting research at Washington University in the late 1930s and 1940s. She observed connections between tumors and nerve cells that led her to hypothesize that a factor must promote nerve outgrowth and pathways between cells. Through experiments using snake venom and mouse saliva, she was able to confirm her hypothesis that NGF facilitates the growth and maintenance of sensory and sympathetic neurons. Her discovery of NGF helped advance the treatment of nervous system diseases and psychiatric disorders and furthered the understanding of phenomena like wound healing and love.

1. Rita Levi MontalciniBy: Loa Gordon

2. Who is she?1909: Turin, Jewish Family1930: Enrolled in medical school1936: Graduated1939: Banned from workforce

3. Where did she go from there?

4. 1946: Invited to Washington University by biochemist Viktor Hamburger for a semester, ended up staying 30 yearsWith professor Hamburger and Stanley Cohen, discovered the nerve growth factor

5. Scientific MethodObservation: Tumor & nerve connectionsQuestion: What promotes the cells connections?Hypothesis: Factor extends dendrites, causes pathwaysExperiment: Snake poison & male mouse salivaConclusion: Links (ex: brain/spinal) create due to NGFConfirmation of hypothesis

6. system

7. importance- Progress of treatment of nervous system diseases- Accelerate wound healing through stimulation- Understanding of psychiatric disorders (ex: depression, schizophrenia)- Understanding the phenomenon of loveHuman body = Network

8. Other Achievements- Written 21 books Research with youth

9. Helping African woman1886: Nobel prize (Psychology/ Medicine)