Andreas Rett

Andreas Rett (January 2, 1924 in Fürth, Bavaria; died April 25, 1997 in Vienna) was an Austrian neurologist and author. Rett received many awards, including the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.

Biography

Andreas Rett went to school in Innsbruck and began his medical studies at Innsbruck University. He voluntarily joined the Nazi Party and later made use of material from the Nazi Action T4, the systematic murder of "unfit" children in Germany and Austria.[1] After qualifying in 1949 he trained in paediatrics, and in 1955 he was appointed head of the facility for mentally retarded children at a home for the aged in Lainz. In 1963 he built up a factory, in which neurologically sick youngsters could work. His belief was that disabled children also do have a right to fulfillment of their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Rett's academic career began in 1967, when he was appointed as lecturer in neurology and paediatrics at the University of Vienna, in 1973 being promoted to the rank of associate professor. In 1966 he published the first description of Rett syndrome.[2] From 1967 he was also head of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research in Brain Disordered Children. He has published more than 250 articles.

Decorations and awards

Notes

  1. ↑ Kondziella, 2009
  2. ↑ International Rett Syndrome Foundation History of Rett Syndrome

D. Kondziella, 2009. Eur Neurol. 2009;62(1):56-6

External links