Odd Lingjærde (1929–2023) was a renowned Norwegian psychiatrist, internationally recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to biological psychiatry and psychopharmacology. Raised at Lier Hospital, where his father was medical director, Lingjærde began his psychiatric training at the same institution. He had significant roles at Akershus Central Hospital and the Neurochemical Laboratory at the Psychiatric Clinic in Vinderen. From 1972 to 1984, he served as a professor at Åsgård Hospital in Tromsø, where he also contributed to the University Board and served on the city council for the Conservative Party.

Lingjærde concluded his career in 1999 as a professor at the University of Oslo and a member of the Council for Medical Research.

Lingjærde’s academic journey was marked by numerous accolades. At 32, he was awarded the Skjelderup Gold Medal for his groundbreaking research on tetrabenazine treatment for psychoses. He was a pioneer in serotonin research, publishing his findings a decade before the neurotransmitter gained widespread attention. Notably, he was the first to demonstrate that lithium could enhance the effects of antidepressants and that benzodiazepines could alleviate auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.

During his tenure in Tromsø, Lingjærde made significant contributions to the study of seasonal affective disorder (winter depression), bringing much-needed attention to this misunderstood condition. He was also pivotal in the family project at Blakstad and Gaustad, which explored the emotional climate in families affected by schizophrenia. This project generated numerous PhD dissertations and contributed to an improved understanding of familial dynamics in mental health. Additionally, Lingjærde played a key role in a clinical trial investigating the use of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins in treating schizophrenia, expanding the possibilities of nutritional approaches in psychopharmacology.

An early advocate for structured patient assessments, Lingjærde recognized their critical role in effective treatment. He was the principal developer of the UKU Side-Effect Rating Scale, an internationally recognized tool for assessing the side effects of psychotropic drugs, significantly improving patient care. Additionally, he introduced Norway’s first instructional video on psychiatric rating scales, particularly the MADRS (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). His textbook on psychopharmacology (1), published in several editions, became a foundational resource for psychiatrists and pharmacologists in Norway. In 1999, Norway’s first textbook on biological psychiatry was written in his honor (2), and in 2014, he published his own biography (3), reflecting on his life as a psychiatrist.

Lingjærde was a respected member of several prestigious international organizations, including the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP), the New York Academy of Science, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Nervenheilkunde. He served as president and later as an honorary member of the Scandinavian Society for Psychopharmacology and was vice president of the World Federation of Biological Psychiatry.

Lingjærde’s deep knowledge and warm personality inspired a generation of psychiatrists, leaving a lasting impression on his students and colleagues. In 1994, one of his lectures profoundly influenced Geir Bjørklund, founder and president of the Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, sparking Bjørklund’s interest in biological psychiatry and shaping his research on biochemical imbalances in mental health.

References

1. Lingjærde O. Psychopharmacology: Medicinal Treatment of Mental Disorders. Kristiansand: Høyskoleforlaget, 2006.
2. Malt UF, Årsland D, Lund A, eds. Biological Psychiatry (in Norwegian). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget, 1999.
3. Lingjærde O. Life and Research: A Professional Autobiography (in Norwegian). Stavanger: Hertervig Akademisk, 2014.