Bekhterev Psycho-neurological Research Institute, The St. Petersburg

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Categories / Medicine. Public Health/Scientific-research and Educational Institutions and Organizations (see also Science and Education)
BEKHTEREV PSYCHO-NEUROLOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, St. Petersburg, located at 3 Bekhtereva Street, was established in 1907 and opened in 1908 by V. M. Bekhterev as a scientific research and educational institution: two initial courses consisted of general education which included classes in natural-science and humanity disciplines. Students were divided into specialist faculties in the third year of study. For the first time the institute was located at 32 Angliisky Avenue, in the building of the Free High School and at 104 Nevsky Prospect in the leasehold apartment. The construction of the scientific settlement behind Nevskaya Gate started in 1909 with funds raised by public donations. The main building (today the Institute of Toxicology) was completed in 1911, the building of the Experimental Clinical Institute for Studying Alcohol (today the main building of the Psycho-neurological Research Institute), psychiatric and neuro surgical clinics were completed in 1912. The structure of the Psycho-neurological Research Institute contained the pedagogic, law and medicine faculties and a number of branch institutions. In 1916, the educational institutions were separated into the Second Private Petrograd University and later transformed into the State Medical Institute in 1920. Today it is known as the I. I. Mechnikov Medical Academy. The institute received official status in 1918. In 1921, it was transformed into the Psycho-neurological Academy and named after Bekhterev in 1925. The academy was closed in 1930 and was re-established as the Neuro-psychiatric Institute in 1931. In 1941, it was renamed the Psycho-neurological Research Institute of the People's Commissariat for Public Health of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (today the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation). Its main research includes rehabilitation of patients with mental and nervous diseases; medical-psychological problems including psychotherapy and provision of psychoneurological help. The institute is a scientific research and educational centre of the World Organization for Public Health for the Problems of Mental Health and Health Training. One can see a monument to Bekhterev before the main wing (architects R. F. Meltzer and A. I. Balinsky), there are memorial plaques devoted to Bekhterev and V. N. Myasishchev on the front, there is a memorial plaque devoted to L. M. Pussep, founder of the first ever Russian neuro-surgical clinic in the neurological wing.

References: Акименко М. А., Шерешевский А. М. История института имени В. М. Бехтерева: на док. материалах: В 3 ч. СПб., 1999-2002.

T. I. Grekova. Balinsky Antonin Ivanovich
Bekhterev Vladimir Mikhailovich
Mechnikov Ilya Ilyich
Meltzer Roman (Robert-Friedrich) Fedorovich
Myasishchev Vladimir Nikolaevich
Pussep Ludwig Martynovich
Angliisky Ave/Saint Petersburg, city, house 32
Bekhtereva St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 3
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city, house 104
Акименко М. А., Шерешевский А. М. История института имени В. М. Бехтерева: на док. материалах: В 3 ч. СПб., 1999-2002
Акименко М. А., Шерешевский А. М. История института имени В. М. Бехтерева: на док. материалах: В 3 ч. СПб., 1999-2002
Акименко М. А., Шерешевский А. М. История института имени В. М. Бехтерева: на док. материалах: В 3 ч. СПб., 1999-2002
Акименко М. А., Шерешевский А. М. История института имени В. М. Бехтерева: на док. материалах: В 3 ч. СПб., 1999-2002 Mechnikov Medical Academy
1907