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History of Neuroscience
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Discovery of Neurons
Discovered by Santiago Ramón y Cajal, neurons were identified as the basic unit of the nervous system. This led to the neuron doctrine which is fundamental to neuroscience.
Phineas Gage's Accident
Phineas Gage survived a severe brain injury that changed his personality, providing early evidence that specific brain areas are involved in certain functions.
Broca's Area Discovery
Paul Broca discovered an area in the brain responsible for speech production, significant for understanding localization of brain function.
Wernicke's Area Discovery
Carl Wernicke identified a brain region critical for language comprehension, emphasizing the complexity of language processing in the brain.
The Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Hans Berger recorded the first human EEG, paving the way for studying electrical activity in the brain and neurological disorders like epilepsy.
Discovery of Synapses
Charles Sherrington coined the term synapse for the junction between neurons, which is critical for understanding communication in the nervous system.
Identification of Neurotransmitters
Otto Loewi discovered the first neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, confirming that synapses communicate chemically.
Introduction of the fMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allowed scientists to visualize brain activity, revolutionizing the study of cognition and brain disorders.
Phrenology
Although now discredited, phrenology suggested that brain function was localized, a concept partially true and influential in the development of neuroscience.
The Limbic System
Paul MacLean's concept of the limbic system helped in the understanding of the neural bases of emotions, motivation, and behavior.
Hodgkin-Huxley Model
Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley formulated a mathematical model to describe the initiation and propagation of action potentials in neurons.
Mirror Neurons Discovery
Discovery of mirror neurons provided insight into mechanisms of empathy and learning by imitation, playing a crucial role in social cognition.
Hebb's Rule
Donald Hebb proposed the theory that 'neurons that fire together, wire together', which advanced the understanding of synaptic plasticity and learning.
Discovery of the Reward System
Research on the brain's reward system has elucidated mechanisms of addiction, decision-making, and motivation.
Default Mode Network
The discovery of the default mode network advanced understanding of brain function during wakeful rest and its changes in various disorders.
LTP and Memory
Long-term potentiation (LTP) discovery was key for understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory.
Neurogenesis in Adults
The realization that neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain altered previous notions that all neurons are present at birth, impacting regenerative medicine.
Split-brain Research
Research on patients with severed corpus callosum revealed lateralization in the human brain and contributed to understanding of consciousness.
Optogenetics
The development of optogenetics, allowing precise control of neuronal activity with light, has revolutionized the study of brain circuits.
CRISPR-Cas9 and Neuroscience
The adaptation of CRISPR-Cas9 for editing genes has opened new avenues for understanding and potentially treating neurological disorders.
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