Nakaakira Tsukahara (November 11, 1933 - August 12, 1985) was a Japanese doctor, cerebral physiologist, and neurologist who served as professor at the Faculty of Engineering Science at Osaka University.

Nakaaki Tsukahara
塚原仲晃
Born(1933-11-11)November 11, 1933
DiedAugust 12, 1985(1985-08-12) (aged 51)
NationalityJapanese
CitizenshipJapanese
Alma materUniversity of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine
Scientific career
FieldsCerebral physiology
InstitutionsOsaka University
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Tsukahara was born in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture. He graduated from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 1963 receiving his Doctor of Medicine. He wrote a doctoral thesis titled: "A contribution of internuncial activity to motoneuronal discharges.''[1]

He became a professor at Osaka University at 36 years old. Tsukahara was also one of Japan's leading neurologists at the time.

Tsukahara was in charge of "Brain Plasticity,'' a Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture and Technology-specific research project which was scheduled to begin in 1986. In 1985 he traveled to Tokyo to have a meeting with the Ministry regarding the research. On August 12, Tsukahara was killed in the crash of Japan Air Lines Flight 123 at the age of 51.[2]

Legacy

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The Nakaaki Tsukahara Memorial Award was established by the Brain Science Promotion Foundation to commemorate Tsukahara's research achievements.[3]

Bibliography

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  • 脳の可塑性と記憶 [Brain plasticity and memory] (in Japanese). Books Kinokuniya. 1987. ISBN 4314004916. (Republished in Iwanami Gendai Bunko.)

References

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  1. ^ Doctoral Dissertation Bibliography Database
  2. ^ "シナプスは移動する:御巣鷹山に消えた神経科学者、塚原仲晃、可塑性" [Synapses move: Nakaaki Tsukahara, the neuroscientist who disappeared on Mt. Osutaka, plasticity]. web2.chubu-gu.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  3. ^ "ブレインサイエンス振興財団 - 塚原仲晃記念賞" [Brain Science Promotion Foundation - Nakaaki Tsukahara Memorial Award]. www.bs-f.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-29.