In 1941, Denise Louis-Bar described a child with ataxia and telangiectasia in Confinia Neurologica. The following decade led to an expanse in publications about the disorder with concomitant controversy regarding naming of the disease. While ataxia-telangiectasia is the predominant term used for the disease, Louis-Bar syndrome persists in the medical literature. Despite the persistence of this eponym, little is known about Denise Louis-Bar. Archival materials and information provided from Louis-Bar's Belgian colleagues were examined. Louis-Bar's neurologic training was followed by a productive academic career then private practice emphasizing rehabilitation of neurologic disease, demonstrating her diverse abilities and interests.
© 2018 American Academy of Neurology.