My father, Merton Sandler, who has died aged 86, was professor of chemical pathology at London University from 1973 until 1991, and a pioneer in biological psychiatry. In 1959, at a time when most psychiatry was psychoanalytical, he first suggested a link between depression and a deficiency in certain chemicals in the brain known as monoamines, and his research led eventually to the development of modern-day anti-depressants. He was also a great teacher, humanitarian, bon vivant and funny man.
He produced seminal work on the chemical causes and treatment of a wide range of other conditions including Parkinson's disease, alcoholism, migraine and schizophrenia. He published books on sexual behaviour, aggression, wine and psychiatric humour. His publications run to a staggering 700 items a large number of which have become citation classics in their field.
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