Blocq and Marinescu were the first physicians to describe extracellular
neuritic plaque deposits in the grey matter of the brain. Also the two identified a case of
Parkinsonian tremor caused by a
tumor in the
substantia nigra of the brain. With Marinescu and
bacteriologistVictor Babeş (1854-1926), Blocq published an important work on the pathological
histology of the
nervous system titled Atlas der pathologischen Histologie des Nervensystems.
A disorder known as "
Blocq's disease" is named after him. It is also known as
astasia-abasia, and is characterized by the inability to stand or walk, despite the capability to move ones' lower limbs when sitting or lying down.
Written works
Sur une affection caractérisée par de l'astasie et de l'abasie. (Incoordination motrice pour la station et pour la marche (Charcot et
Richer); ataxie motrice hystérique (V. Mitchell); ataxie par défaut de coordination automatique (
Jaccoud). Journal: Archives de Neurologie. Paris: Bureaux du Progrès Médical; vol. xv., 1888 (pp. 24–51 and 187–211). – A condition characterized by astasia and abasia.
Atlas der pathologischen Histologie des Nervensystems (with V. Babeş & G. Marinescu) – Atlas on the pathological
histology of the
nervous system.