Susan E. Leeman, a groundbreaking neuroscientist who fundamentally changed our understanding of how the brain communicates with the body through chemical signals, passed away on January 20th in Manhattan at the age of 95. Her research, often conducted with unconventional dedication, revealed critical links between brain activity and physical responses, particularly in the realm of pain perception.
The Pursuit of Substance P
Dr. Leeman’s career was defined by her relentless pursuit of understanding neuropeptides – small, protein-like molecules that transmit signals between nerve cells. In the late 1960s, while heading a lab at Brandeis University, she faced a crucial supply shortage while researching stress hormones. Without hesitation, she traveled to the Chicago Union Stock Yards, a massive meatpacking hub, to obtain fresh bovine hypothalamus tissue. This willingness to go to extreme lengths underscored her commitment to direct observation and experimental rigor.
Though her initial goal was a stress hormone, her work unexpectedly led to the definitive identification of Substance P in 1970. First discovered decades earlier, its true nature as a neuropeptide remained elusive until Dr. Leeman’s research proved it was released by the brain and spinal cord in response to pain. Three years later, she identified a second crucial neuropeptide, solidifying her status as a leading figure in neuroendocrinology.
A Legacy in Neuroendocrinology
Prior to Dr. Leeman’s work, Substance P was known to exist, identified in 1931 by Ulf von Euler and John Gaddum in London. However, it was Leeman who established its role as a neuropeptide, a messenger molecule directly linking brain function to physical sensations. Her discoveries not only advanced basic neuroscience but also opened avenues for understanding chronic pain, inflammation, and other conditions tied to the brain-body connection.
Dr. Leeman’s death was confirmed by her daughters, Jennifer and Eve Leeman. She is survived by her family, and her research continues to influence modern neurological studies.
Dr. Leeman’s work was driven by a deep curiosity and a willingness to challenge conventional methods, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped how we view the relationship between the mind and the body.
