James Leonard Corning (1855 – 1923) was an American neurologist, mainly known for his early experiments on neuraxial blockade in New York City.

After receiving his medical degree in 1878, he left Germany and visited Vienna, Paris, and London before finally returning to the United States.

[2] The following year, Corning injected cocaine between the spinous processes of the lower lumbar vertebrae, first in a dog and then in a healthy man.

Despite this much higher dose, the onset of analgesia in Corning's human subject was slower and the dermatomal level of ablation of sensation was lower.

He later developed this approach in combination with other methods for reduction of cerebral blood flow, such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve.

This treatment method was abandoned due to its significant side effects, which included slow heart rate, dizziness and syncope.