For a century, the neuron doctrine has been the basis for our concepts of nervous organization and brain function, stating that the cell theory applies to the nervous system. Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Spain's greatest scientist, was its main architect; his main tool being a capricious nerve cell stain discovered by Camillo Golgi. This book reviews the original papers on which the neuron doctrine was based, showing that the evidence came from such contributors as Albrecht Kolliker, Sigmund Freud, Wilhelm His, August Forel, Fritdjof Nansen and Gustav Retzius. Many questions were raised which remain relevant today. Electron microscopical studies in the 1950s appeared to confirm the classical doctrine but subsequent studies revealed unsuspected complexities. This book reviews the new studies against the classical work and suggests new directions for revising our concept of the neuron as a basis for the functional organization of the nervous system.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
The excerpts from original articles and Shepherd's scholarly comment give a balanced and orderly history of the evidence for the neuron doctrine from the earliest discoveries to its final triumph in the hands of the Spanish histologist Ramoen y Cajal. Shepherd's treatment of the reticular theorists is particularly helpful. The book is of interest and importance for anyone interested in the history of the nervous system. The book is essential for every library which covers the history of biology or medicine, and a pleasure for those of us interested in the nervous system. * Mitchell Glickstein, University College, London, Medical History, 1992, 37 *
Reihe
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Illustrationen
halftone and line illustrations
Maße
Höhe: 243 mm
Breite: 164 mm
Dicke: 26 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-19-506491-9 (9780195064919)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Autor*in
Professor of NeuroscienceProfessor of Neuroscience, Yale University
Introduction and overview; From the beginnings to the cell theory; Do nerve cells belong in the cell theory?; Nerve cells or nerve nets?; Kolliker gives in; Support builds for networks; The nerve cell studies of Freud; The revolutionary method of Golgi; A neuron theory takes form: His, Forel, Nansen; Ramon Y Cajal: The shock of recognition; The early discoveries of Cajal; The laws of Cajal; Joining the mainstream; The neuron doctrine; The law of dynamic polarization; Controversy; The synapse and the growth cone; Forging a consensus; Confrontation in Stockholm; Modern revisions of the neuron doctrine; Comments on sources; References; Author index; Subject index.
