Arthur K. Shapiro

Arthur K. Shapiro, M.D., (January 11, 1923 – June 3, 1995) was an American psychiatrist and expert on Tourette syndrome. His "contributions to the understanding of Tourette syndrome completely changed the prevailing view of this disorder"; he has been described as "the father of modern tic disorder research" and is "revered by his colleagues as the first dean of modern Tourette syndrome researchers".

Contributions to Tourette syndrome research Until the early 1970s, the preferred intervention for Tourette syndrome was psychoanalysis. Shapiro wanted to prove that Tourette's was an organic disorder, and that psychotherapy was not the treatment of choice. after it was rejected by American journals. Since the 1990s, a more neutral view of Tourette's is emerging as a condition involving an interaction between biological vulnerability and adverse environmental events.

A colleague, psychiatrist Ruth Bruun, described Arthur Shapiro as a revolutionary, "willing to challenge the prevailing dogma", "dynamic, charming, and relentlessly stubborn when fighting for what he thought was right", "an engaging speaker", and "a man of diverse interests and enthusiasm". Bruun also said, "It is extremely unusual for a couple of researchers to completely change the prevailing view of a disease, but this is exactly what they did." Elaine published their last joint effort, The Powerful Placebo: From Ancient Priest to Modern Physician.

Shapiro was survived by his wife, Elaine Schlaffer Shapiro, three children, a brother, and three grandchildren.

Publications Shapiro, Arthur K., Shapiro, Elaine, Gerald Young, J., et al. (January 1988). Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome. Raven Press Ltd; 2nd edition. Shapiro, Arthur K., Shapiro, Elaine (October 17, 2000). The Powerful Placebo : From Ancient Priest to Modern Physician. The Johns Hopkins University Press; New Ed edition.