Against All Odds Korbinian Brodmann – Life and Work (1868-1918)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Against All Odds Korbinian Brodmann – Life and Work (1868-1918) Gegen alle Widerstände Against All Odds Korbinian Brodmann – Korbinian Brodmann – Leben und Werk (1868 - 1918) Life and Work (1868 - 1918) Mit seinen Forschungsergebnissen hat der Neurolo- The neurologist, psychiatrist and extraordinary pro- ge, Psychiater und außerordentliche Professor Dr. fessor, Korbinian Brodmann, made groundbreaking Korbinian Brodmann bahnbrechende wissenschaftli- scientific contributions towards human medicine. His che Erkenntnisse hinterlassen. Sein grundlegendes seminal work on “Localization in the Cerebral Cor- Werk zur „Lokalisationslehre der Großhirnrinde“ war tex” was required reading for several generations Pflichtlektüre für mehrere Generationen von Ärzten. of doctors, and for decades Brodmann’s brain maps Die Brodmann’schen Hirnkarten dienten Jahrzehnte provided orientation to surgeons who were conduct- lang Chirurgen der Orientie rung bei Eingriffen am ing surgery on living patients. lebenden Patienten. Nowadays, students of human medicine or the gen- Heutzutage erinnert Studierende der Humanmedi- eral public are rarely aware of the person who creat- zin und die Öffentlichkeit nur noch wenig an den ed the first map of the brain. Korbinian Brodmann’s Urheber der ersten Kartierung des Gehirns. Ein Ort, private life and scientific work can be experienced an dem Korbinian Brodmanns Privatleben und wis- at his birthplace in Liggersdorf near Stockach Lake senschaftliches Wirken der Nachwelt noch erfahr- Constance (FRG) already since 1986. With its remark- bar zugänglich ist, wurde 1986 an seinem Geburtsort able collection of archival documents and numerous Liggersdorf bei Stockach am Bodensee eröffnet: Das objects, the Korbinian Brodmann Museum is dedi- „Korbinian-Brodmann-Museum“ mit seiner Sammlung cated to commemorating this famous person of the an Dokumenten und zahlreichen Objekten ist dem German scientific community and his personal career. Gedenken dieses berühmten Sohnes der Gemeinde His outstanding professional work at the beginning gewidmet. Sein herausragendes berufliches Schaf- of the 20th century and its contribution to human fen zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts und dessen Be- medicine are the focal points of the exhibition here deutung für die wissenschaftliche Nachwelt sind die and in Liggersdorf (FRG). Schwerpunkte der sehenswerten Sammlung. This traveling exhibit is the result of an institutional Diese Wanderausstellung wurde im Rahmen einer in- cooperation between the Research Unit for the His- stitutionellen Kooperation des Forschungsbereiches tory of Medicine, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychother- Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, ZfP Südwürttem- apy I / The University of Ulm at Ravensburg / Centre berg, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie I der for Psychiatry Suedwuerttemberg and the Korbinian Universität Ulm in Ravensburg mit dem „Korbinian Brodmann Museum. Brodmann Museum“ in Hohenfels-Liggersdorf erar- beitet. Das Rathaus in Liggersdorf mit dem Korbinian Brodmann-Museum im Dachgeschoss. Town hall in Liggersdorf that houses the Korbinian Brodmann Museum. Foto/Picture: Jochen Goldt, Hohenfels-Liggersdorf. Kontakt/Contact: www.forschung-bw.de/VersFHist/Museen/ Korbinian Brodmann-Museum Ausstellungen_Ausleihen_Psychiatriemuseum.pdf Hohenfels-Liggersdorf Biografie Biography Geburt Born 17. November 1868 in Liggersdorf 17 November 1868 in Liggersdorf Kindheit und Jugend Childhood and Youth 1880 - 1889 Schulbesuch in Liggersdorf, Überlingen, 1880 - 1889 School in the towns of Liggersdorf, Sigmaringen, Konstanz Überlingen, Sigmaringen and Constance 1889 - 1895 Medizinstudium in München, Würzburg, 1889 - 1895 Studies of medicine at universities in Berlin, Freiburg Munich, Würzburg, Berlin and Freiburg Lehr- und Wanderjahre Years of Apprenticeship and Travel 1895 - 1901 Tätigkeiten als Arzt und vertiefende 1895 - 1901 Work as physician and engaged in ad- Studien an verschiedenen Universitäten vanced studies and courses at different universities 1898 Promotion in Leipzig 1898 PhD in Leipzig Entscheidende Begegnungen Significant Encounters Die Hirnforscher Oskar Vogt und Alois Alzheimer Brain Researchers Oskar Vogt and Alois Alzheimer Berufliche Stationen Professional Background 1901 - 1910 Wesentliche Forschungs arbeiten als Assis- 1901 - 1910 Significant research as a research tent an Oskar Vogts „Neurobiologischer Zentralsta- assistant at Oskar Vogt’s Neurobiological Central tion“ in Berlin Station in Berlin 1910 - 1916 Oberarzt, Privatdozent und ab 1913 außer- 1910 - 1916 Senior physician, private lecturer and planmäßiger Professor an der Universität Tübingen from 1913 on a non-scheduled professor at the 1916 - 1918 Anstellung an der Prosektur (pathologische University of Tübingen Abteilung) der Landesheilanstalt in Nietleben/Halle 1916 - 1918 Work at the Department of Pathology 1918 Leiter der für ihn eingerichteten Topographisch- at the Psychiatric Hospital in Nietleben near Halle Histologischen Abteilung der Psychiatrischen 1918 Director of the Department of Topographic His- Forschungsanstalt in München tology at the Psychiatric Research Facility in Munich Privatleben 3. April 1917 Heirat mit Anna Margarethe Franke 19. Januar 1918 Geburt von Tochter Ilse Marga rethe, Umzug der Familie nach München 22. August 1918 Tod durch Blutvergiftung Personal Life 3 April 1917 Marriage to Anna Margarethe Franke 19 January 1918 Birth of daughter Ilse Marga rethe and moving to Munich 22 August 1918 Death of blood poisoning Korbinian Brodmann-Museum Hohenfels-Liggersdorf Herkunft Family Background Korbinian Brodmann wird am 17. November 1868 als Korbinian Brodmann is born as an illegitimate child of uneheliches Kind von Sophie Benkler in deren Eltern- Sophie Benkler in her parents’ home on 17 November haus geboren. Der Pfarrer gibt dem Jungen den orts- 1868. The pastor gives the boy the uncommon name unüblichen Vornamen des Heiligen dieses kirchlichen Korbinian, which is the saint of this ecclesiastical Kalendertages: Korbinian. So lässt man in der streng calendar day. In this way, mother and child contin- katholischen Gemeinde Mutter und Kind den „Makel uously are feeling the “blemish” of his illegitimate der unehelichen Geburt“ spüren. birth in this very strict Catholic community. Hofgut Schernegg Elternhaus Benkler Die Eltern The Parents Sophie Benkler (1842-1887), Magd auf Sophie Benkler (1842-1887), Maid on the es- dem Hofgut Schernegg in Kalkofen, ge- tate Schernegg in Kalkofen has two children with bärt zwei Kinder: Tochter Verena (1866) Joseph Brodmann: daughter Verena (1866) and und Korbinian. Korbinian. Joseph Brodmann (geb. 1834) arbei- Joseph Brodmann (born 1834) works as a landlord tet als Land- und Gastwirt bei seinem and innkeeper on the Schernegg estate. He tries to Bruder auf dem Hofgut „Schernegg“. emancipate himself from the estate of the family. Er versucht verschiedentlich, sich als Wirt vom Gut der Familie unabhängig zu 1886 Brodmann’s parents are marrying and moving to machen. Constance. He carries his mother’s surname Benkler, until the age of 18. In Constance, Joseph Brodmann 1886 heiraten Korbinian Brodmanns Eltern und zie- lives as a privateer. A year after Sophie’s death he hen nach Konstanz. Bis zum Alter von 18 Jahren trägt marries Maria Schmid (born Nipp) in 1892, the owner der Junge den Nachnamen seiner Mutter, Benkler. In of the Liggersdorfer Inn “Bären”. Joseph Brodmann Konstanz lebt Joseph Brodmann als Privatier. Nach dies sometime after 1918. Sophies Tod heiratet er 1892 die Liggersdorfer Wirtin des Gasthauses „Bären“, Maria Schmid, geb. Nipp. Joseph Brodmann stirbt zu einem unbekannten Zeit- punkt nach 1918. Liggersdorf – Luftbild von 1921 Birds’ eye view of Liggersdorf, 1921 Korbinian Brodmann-Museum Hohenfels-Liggersdorf Kindheit und Jugend Childhood and Youth Volksschule Liggersdorf (1874–1880) Secondary School at Liggersdorf (1874–1880) Korbinian Benkler besucht die Korbinian Benkler visits the Volksschule in seinem Heimat- secondary school in his hometown. dorf. Sein Lehrer Johann Nepo- His teacher Johann Nepomuk Dre- muk Dreher schreibt in seiner her writes about him in his school Schulchronik über ihn: „Korbinian report: „Korbinian Benkler, born Benkler, geb. 17.11.1868, Mutter 17.11.1868, mother Sophie Ben­ Sophie Benkler, ledig. Ist 1880, Volksschule Liggersdorf kler, single. In 1880, despite be­ obwohl schwach befähigt, auf die ing a weak student, he switched Höhere Bürgerschule zu Überlin­ to the Upper Citizen School Über­ gen gegangen.“ lingen.“ Die Höhere Bürger schule be- Korbinian Brodmann spends two sucht Korbinian Brodmann zwei years at the Upper Citizen School. Jahre. Höhere Bürgerschule Überlingen (1880-1882) Gymnasium Hedingen-Sigmaringen (1882–1883) Gymnasium Hedingen-Sigmaringen (1882–1883) Korbinian Benkler besucht hier At this school in Hedingen- nur die 5. Klasse. Er wohnt am Sigmaringen, Korbinian Benkler Brenzkofer Weg in der Nähe der only visits fifth grade. He lives at Zoller-Brauerei. the Brenzkofer Weg not far from the Zoller Brewery. Gymnasium Hedingen Gymnasium Konstanz (1883–1889) Gymnasium Constance (1883–1889) 1889 legt Korbinian Brodmann am In 1889 Korbinian Brodmann re- Konstanzer Gymnasium sein Abi- ceives his qualifications to enter tur ab. university at the Gymnasium in Constance. Großherzögliches Gymnasium Konstanz Korbinian Brodmann-Museum Hohenfels-Liggersdorf Studium der Medizin Medical Studies 1889 beginnt Korbinian Brodmann an der König- In 1889 Korbinian Brodmann starts his medical lich Bayerischen Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of München Medi zin zu studieren.
Recommended publications
  • Clinical Research
    Clinical research The discovery of Alzheimer’s disease Hanns Hippius, MD; Gabriele Neundörfer, MD T he 37th Meeting of South-West German Psychiatrists (37 Versammlung Südwestdeutscher Irrenärzte) was held in Tübingen on November 3, 1906. At the meeting, Alois Alzheimer (Figure 1), who was a lecturer (Privatdozent) at the Munich University Hospital and a coworker of Emil Kraepelin, reported on an unusual case study involving a “peculiar severe disease process of the cerebral cortex” (Über einen eigenartigen, schweren Erkrankungsprozeß der Hirnrinde). Prelude On November 3, 1906, a clinical psychiatrist and neuro- anatomist, Alois Alzheimer, reported “A peculiar severe Alzheimer described the long-term study of the female disease process of the cerebral cortex” to the 37th patient Auguste D., whom he had observed and investi- Meeting of South-West German Psychiatrists in Tübingen. gated at the Frankfurt Psychiatric Hospital in November He described a 50-year-old woman whom he had fol- 1901, when he was a senior assistant there.Alzheimer had lowed from her admission for paranoia, progressive sleep been interested in the symptomatology, progression, and and memory disturbance, aggression, and confusion, until course of the illness of Auguste D. from the time of her her death 5 years later. His report noted distinctive admission, and he documented the development of her plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain histology. unusual disease very precisely from the beginning. It excited little interest despite an enthusiastic response In March 1901, the husband of the 50-year-old woman had from Kraepelin, who promptly included “Alzheimer’s dis- noticed an untreatable paranoid symptomatology in his ease” in the 8th edition of his text Psychiatrie in 1910.
    [Show full text]
  • Original Nicolás Achúcarro and the Histopathology of Rabies: A
    Original Neurosciences and History 2019; 7(4): 122-136 Nicolás Achúcarro and the histopathology of rabies: a historical invitation from Nissl and Alzheimer D. Ezpeleta1, F. Morales2, S. Giménez-Roldán3 1Department of Neurology. Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 2Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Facultad de Medicina, Zaragoza, Spain. 3Department of Neurology. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. ABSTRACT Introduction. Nicolás Achúcarro (1880-1918), a brilliant disciple of Cajal, was invited by Nissl and Alzheimer to write on the subject of experimental rabies. The chapter, published in 1909 in German, has never previously been translated into Spanish. Material and methods. The study “On the understanding of the central nervous system histological pathology in rabies” was obtained from the University of Bonn, Germany, and translated into Spanish by one of the authors (FM). We researched the context of the study; its relevance to the epidemiology, diagnosis, and histopathology of rabies encephalitis; and its influence on Achúcarro’ s scientific career. Results. The study was conducted in rabbits, a dog, two hens, and a brain specimen from a man who died due to rabies. It was presented as a doctoral thesis in Madrid in December 1906. The German-language publication, from 1909, comprises 51 dense pages of text with 13 illustrations; a summary in Spanish was published in 1914. Achúcarro rejected the idea that Negri bodies were parasites, confirming Cajal’ s observations on Alzheimer neurofibrillary degeneration and argyrophilic fibres in rabies. He underlines the transformation of glial cells in the cornu ammonis into elongated elements (rod-like cells or Stäbchenzellen) to adapt to the parallel arrangement of pyramidal cells in the stratum radiatum.
    [Show full text]
  • Function of Cerebral Cortex
    FUNCTION OF CEREBRAL CORTEX Course: Neuropsychology CC-6 (M.A PSYCHOLOGY SEM II); Unit I By Dr. Priyanka Kumari Assistant Professor Institute of Psychological Research and Service Patna University Contact No.7654991023; E-mail- [email protected] The cerebral cortex—the thin outer covering of the brain-is the part of the brain responsible for our ability to reason, plan, remember, and imagine. Cerebral Cortex accounts for our impressive capacity to process and transform information. The cerebral cortex is only about one-eighth of an inch thick, but it contains billions of neurons, each connected to thousands of others. The predominance of cell bodies gives the cortex a brownish gray colour. Because of its appearance, the cortex is often referred to as gray matter. Beneath the cortex are myelin-sheathed axons connecting the neurons of the cortex with those of other parts of the brain. The large concentrations of myelin make this tissue look whitish and opaque, and hence it is often referred to as white matter. The cortex is divided into two nearly symmetrical halves, the cerebral hemispheres . Thus, many of the structures of the cerebral cortex appear in both the left and right cerebral hemispheres. The two hemispheres appear to be somewhat specialized in the functions they perform. The cerebral hemispheres are folded into many ridges and grooves, which greatly increase their surface area. Each hemisphere is usually described, on the basis of the largest of these grooves or fissures, as being divided into four distinct regions or lobes. The four lobes are: • Frontal, • Parietal, • Occipital, and • Temporal.
    [Show full text]
  • Alzheimer's 100Th Anniversary of Death and His Contribution to A
    DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20140207 HISTORICAL NOTES Alzheimer’s 100th anniversary of death and his contribution to a better understanding of Senile dementia O 100o aniversário de morte de Alzheimer e sua contribuição para uma melhor compreensão da Demência senil Eliasz Engelhardt1,2, Marleide da Mota Gomes3 ABSTRACT Initially the trajectory of the historical forerunners and conceptions of senile dementia are briefly presented, being highlighted the name of Alois Alzheimer who provided clinical and neuropathological indicators to differentiate a group of patients with Senile dementia. Alzheimer’s examination of Auguste D’s case, studied by him with Bielschowsky’s silver impregnation technique, permitted to identify a pathological marker, the intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, characterizing a new disease later named after him by Kraepelin – Alzheimer’s disease. Over the time this disorder became one of the most important degenerative dementing disease, reaching nowadays a status that may be considered as epidemic. Keywords: dementia, Senile dementia, hystory of medicine, Alzheimer, Alzheimer’ disease. RESUMO Incialmente é apresentada brevemente a trajetória histórica dos precursores e dos conceitos da demência senil, sendo destacado o nome de Alois Alzheimer que forneceu indicadores clínicos e neuropatológicos para diferenciar um grupo de pacientes com Demência senil. O exame de Alzheimer do caso de Auguste D, estudado por ele com a técnica de impregnação argêntica de Bielschowsky, permitiu identificar um marcador patológico, os emaranhados neurofibrilares intraneuronais, caracterizando uma nova doença, mais tarde denominada com seu nome por Kraepelin – doença de Alzheimer. Com o passar do tempo esta desordem tornou-se uma das mais importantes doenças demenciante degenerativa, alcançando, na atualidade, um status que pode ser considerado como epidêmico.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Alzheimer's Disease
    Print ISSN 1738-1495 / On-line ISSN 2384-0757 Dement Neurocogn Disord 2016;15(4):115-121 / https://doi.org/10.12779/dnd.2016.15.4.115 DND REVIEW History of Alzheimer’s Disease Hyun Duk Yang,1,2 Do Han Kim,1 Sang Bong Lee,3 Linn Derg Young,2,4,5 1Harvard Neurology Clinic, Yongin, Korea 2Brainwise Co. Ltd., Yongin, Korea 3Barun Lab Inc., Yongin, Korea 4Department of Business Administration, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Korea 5Boston Research Institute for Medical Policy, Yongin, Korea As modern society ages rapidly, the number of people with dementia is sharply increasing. Direct medical costs and indirect social costs for dementia patients are also increasing exponentially. However, the lack of social awareness about dementia results in difficulties to dementia patients and their families. So, understanding dementia is the first step to remove or reduce the stigma of dementia patients and promote the health of our community. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The term, ‘Alzheimer’s disease’ has been used for over 100 years since first used in 1910. With the remarkable growth of science and medical technologies, the techniques for diagnosis and treat- ment of dementia have also improved. Although the effects of the current symptomatic therapy are still limited, dramatic improvement is ex- pected in the future through the continued research on disease modifying strategies at the earlier stage of disease. It is important to look at the past to understand the present and obtain an insight into the future. In this article, we review the etymology and history of dementia and pre- vious modes of recognizing dementia.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Korbinian Brodmann's Scientific Profile, and Academic Works
    BRAIN and NERVE 69 (4):301-312,2017 Topics Korbinian Brodmann’s scientific profile, and academic works Mitsuru Kawamura Honorary Director, Okusawa Hospital & Clinics, 2-11-11, Okusawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 1580083, Japan E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Brodmann’s classic maps of localisation in cerebral cortex are both well known and of current value. However, his original 1909 monograph is not widely read by neurologists. Furthermore, he reproduced his maps in 1910 and 1914 with a number of important changes. The 1914 version also excludes areas 12-16 and 48-51 in human brain while areas 1-52 are described in animal brain. Here, we provide a detailed explanation of the different versions, and review Brodmann's academic profile and work. Key words: Brodmann’s map; missing numbers; Brodmann’s profile; Brodmann’s works; infographics Introduction The following paper is based on a Japanese language version (BRAIN and NERVE, April 2017) by MK. Recently I developed a passion for the design of charts and diagrams and enjoy looking through books on infographics. The design of visual information has made remarkable progress in recent years. Furthermore, figures, tables, and graphic records are on the agenda at every editorial meeting of Brain And Nerve. The maps of Korbinian Brodmann (1868-1918) were first published in German in 19091, and I believe they rightly belongs to infographics since they localise neuroanatomical information onto human and animal brain – monkey, for example – using the techniques of histology and comparative anatomy. Unlike the cerebellar cortex, which has a generally uniform three-layer structure throughout, most of the cerebral cortex has a six-layer structure of regionally diverse patterns.
    [Show full text]
  • The Tangled Story of Alois Alzheimer
    Bratisl Lek Listy 2006; 107 (910): 343345 343 TOPICAL REVIEW The tangled story of Alois Alzheimer Zilka N, Novak M Institute of Neuroimmunology, AD Centre of Excellence, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia. [email protected] Abstract In 1907, Bavarian psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, who is considered to be a founding father of neuropa- thology, was first to describe the main neuropathologic characteristics of the peculiar disease in the brain of a woman showing progressive dementia when she was in her early 50s. Using a newly deve- loped Bielschowskys silver staining method, Alzheimer observed degenerating neurons with bundles of fibrils (neurofibrillary tangles) and miliary foci of silver-staining deposits scattered over the cortex (senile plaques). In 1910 Emil Kraepelin (Alois Alzheimers superior) coined the term Alzheimers disease to distinguish the presenile form of dementia from the more common senile variant. Alzheimers findings were followed up, and soon a number of reports of similar cases appeared in the literature. During the time, both pathological hallmarks of Alzheimers disease became the gold standard for post-mortem diagnosis of the disease. One hundred years later, dementia of Alzheimers type is con- sidered to be one of the most devastating illnesses of old age. Despite intensive research the cause of the disease still remains elusive (Fig. 2, Ref. 17). Key words: Alzheimers disease, Alois Alzheimer, Augusta D, neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaques. Alois Alzheimer was born in June 14, 1864 in Markbreit am pathology of the nervous system, studying in particular the nor- Main in Southern Germany. He commenced the study of medi- mal and pathological anatomy of the cerebral cortex.
    [Show full text]
  • Brodmann's Cortical Maps
    Postinfectious moyamoya syndrome 259 6 Palacio S, Hart RG, Vollmer DG, et al. Late-developing 9 Asherson R, Cervera R. Antiphospholipid antibodies and infections. Ann cerebral arteropathy after pyogenic meningitis. Arch Neurol Rheum Dis 2003;62:388–93. 2003;60:431–33. 10 Hosoda Y, Ikeda E, Hirose S. Histopathological studies on spontaneous 7 Cunningham MW. Pathogenesis of group A streptococcal infections. Clin occlusion of the circle of Willis (cerebrovascular moyamoya disease). Clin Microbiol Rev 2000;13:470–511. Neurol Neurosurg 1997;99(suppl 2):s203–s208. 8 Snider L, Swedo S. Post-streptococcal autoimmune disorders of the central 11 Fukui M, Kono S, Sueishi K, et al. Moyamoya disease. Neuropathology nervous system. Curr Opin Neurol 2003;16:359–65. 2000;20:s61–s64. HISTORICAL NOTE .......................................................................................... doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2004.037200 Brodmann’s cortical maps icq d’Azyr, a physician and artist, described the brain’s ‘‘First and foremost we still lack clear criteria for the convolutions in 1786, noting differences in morphology recognition of anatomically equivalent cellular Vin other animals. Magendie had written similarly. elements…There has been occasional talk of ‘sensory Early attempts to correlate the cerebral anatomy to func- cells’ located in particular regions, or of sensorial ‘special tion by observed neurological deficits began in the 1820s, the cells’. People have invented acoustic or optical special cells result of the work of Franz Gall,1 Bouillaud, Robert Todd, and even a ‘memory’ cell, and have not shied away from Rolando, and many others (references in).2 Pierre Gratiolet the fantastic ‘psychic cell’.’’ and Francois Leuret mapped the folds and fissures of the cerebral cortex, and named the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes.
    [Show full text]
  • Franz Nissl (1860-1919), Noted Neuropsychiatrist and Neuropathologist, Staining the Neuron, but Not Limiting It
    Dement Neuropsychol 2019 September;13(3):352-355 History Note http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642018dn13-030014 Franz Nissl (1860-1919), noted neuropsychiatrist and neuropathologist, staining the neuron, but not limiting it Marleide da Mota Gomes1 ABSTRACT. Franz Alexander Nissl carried out studies on mental and nervous disorders, as a clinician, but mainly as a pathologist, probably the most important of his time. He recognized changes in glial cells, blood elements, blood vessels and brain tissue in general, achieving this by using a special blue stain he himself developed – Nissl staining, while still a medical student. However, he did not accept the neuron theory supported by the new staining methods developed by Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramón y Cajal. Nissl had worked with the crème de la crème of German neuropsychiatry, including Alois Alzheimer, besides Emil Kraepelin, Korbinian Brodmann and Walther Spielmeyer. He became (1904), Kraepelin’s successor as Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatric Clinic, in Heidelberg. Moreover, in 1918, the year before Nissl´s death, Kraepelin offered him a research position as head of the Histopathology Department of the newly founded “Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Psychiatrie” of the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, in Munich. Key words: Franz Nissl, neuropathology, staining method, neuron theory. FRANZ NISSL (1860-1919), NOTÁVEL NEUROPSIQUIATRA E NEUROPATOLOGISTA, TINGINDO O NEURÔNIO, MAS NÃO O LIMITANDO RESUMO. Franz Alexander Nissl realizou estudos sobre transtornos mentais e nervosos, como clínico, mas principalmente como patologista, provavelmente o mais importante de seu tempo. Ele reconheceu mudanças nas células gliais, elementos sangüíneos, vasos sangüíneos e tecido cerebral em geral, realizando-o por meio de um corante azul especial desenvolvida por ele mesmo – coloração de Nissl, ainda como estudante de medicina.
    [Show full text]
  • Behavioral Neuroanatomy: Large-Scale Networks, Association
    M. - MAR S E L M E SU LAM Faced with an anatomical fact proven beyond doubt, any physiological result that stands in contradiction to it loses all its meaning. ... So, first anatomy and then physiology; but if first physiology, then not without ana tomy. —BERNHARD VON GUDDEN(1824-1886), QUOTED BY KORBINIAN BRODMANN, IN LAU RENCE GAREY ‘S TRANSLATION I. INTRODUCTION The human brain displays marked regional variations in architecture, connectivity, neurochemistrv, and physiology. This chapter explores the relevance of these re- gional variations to cognition and behavior. Some topics have been included mostly for the sake of completeness and continuity. Their coverage is brief, either because the available information is limited or because its relevance to behavior and cog- nition is tangential. Other subjects, such as the processing of visual information, are reviewed in extensive detail, both because a lot is known and also because the information helps to articulate general principles relevant to all other domains of behavior. Experiments on laboratory primates will receive considerable emphasis, espe- cially in those areas of cerebral connectivity and physiology where relevant infor- mation is not yet available in the human. Structural homologies across species are always incomplete, and many complex behaviors, particularly those that are of greatest interest to the clinician and cognitive neuroscientist, are either rudimentary or absent in other animals. Nonetheless, the reliance on animal data in this chapter is unlikely to be too misleading since the focus will be on principles rather than specifics and since principles of organization are likely to remain relatively stable across closely related species.
    [Show full text]
  • In Retrospect: Brodmann's Brain
    OPINION NATURE|Vol 461|15 October 2009 In Retrospect: Brodmann’s brain map A classic neurology text written 100 years ago still provides the core principles for linking the anatomy of the cerebral cortex to its functions today, explains Jacopo Annese. Localisation in the Cerebral Cortex Using a microscope designed for the purpose, discuss these towards the end. Some of his by Korbinian Brodmann he undertook meticulous examinations of peers were more forthright about labelling First published 1909 (in German). cortical tissue from the brains of humans and cortical regions according to function, notably many other mammals, the results of which the Australian-born neurologist A. W. Camp- enabled him to construct his map of the human bell, who used clinical evidence with results The development of advanced magnetic cortex. The map looks simple, yet the book from physiological experiments and anatomi- resonance imaging techniques over the past makes it clear it is based on a monumental cal analysis to make his case. Still, Brodmann’s 30 years has heralded today’s ‘golden age’ of analytical effort. His exquisite powers of obser- objective approach has ensured that his maps human brain mapping. Yet in the quest to chart vation and great attention to detail transform have endured, eclipsing others of the time such structural and functional subdivisions in the for the reader the tedium of scientific annota- as Campbell’s. brain, and in the cerebral cortex in particular, tion into an exercise in anatomical voyeurism. Another of Brodmann’s long-lasting the first quarter of the twentieth century was achievements documented in the book is his at least as momentous.
    [Show full text]
  • Biography of Alois Alzheimer
    BIOGRAPHY OF ALOIS ALZHEIMER (1864-1915) AOUAD MayaAOUAD Maya Joint masterJoint in neuroscience master in neuroscience Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized clinically by a progressive decline of several cognitive functions and it is the most common cause of dementia. The prevalence of this disease is expected to increase during the next decades because of the increasing of the human age population. It is one of the greatest burdens in modern medicine. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease were first described in the early 1900s by Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist. The neuropathological features were later described by Alois Alzheimer, another German psychiatrist, who worked in Kraepelin's laboratory. The description of this disease is his most known contribution to Neuroscience. However, the research on this disease represents only a small part of Alzheimer's interests, which also included the histopathology of the cerebral cortex in the mentally ill. Who is Alois Alzheimer and what were the main stages of his carrier? Alois Alzheimer was born on the 14th of June 1864 in Markbreit a small Bavarian village, Southern Germany where his father was notary. Excelling in science at school he studied medicine in Berlin, Tubingen and Wurzburg where he wrote his doctoral theses on ceruminal glands and graduated with a medical degree in 1887. In December 1888 he began his medical career as a resident at the Hospital for the Mentally ill and Epileptics in Frankfurt am Main where he stayed for seven years and was subsequently promoted to senior physician. Later Alzheimer worked seven more years as an assistant physician at the Municipal Hospital for Lunatics and Epileptics also called Asylium in Frankfurt headed by Emil Sioli.
    [Show full text]