The Goltz–Ferrier debates and the triumph of cerebral localizationalist theory

Tyler, K. L.; Malessa, R.

doi:10.1212/wnl.55.7.1015

Cited by 67 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…An alternative view to functional localization would be that all brain functions to some extent depend on all parts of the brain. A local loss of brain tissue would then result in an impairment of most brain functions and the larger the loss, the larger the general impairment, similar to the interpretation of Goltz (1888), Phillips et al (1984), Tyler & Malessa (2000) and Lashley (1929). Such a globalized view of brain function is supported by the fact that many localized cortical infarcts pass unnoticed (Wardlaw et al 2013) as well as by some models of brain function (Tononi & Edelman, 1998;Engel et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Focal neocortical lesions impair distant neuronal information processing

Wahlbom¹,

Enander²,

Bengtsson³

et al. 2019

The Journal of Physiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key points Parts of the fields of neuroscience and neurology consider the neocortex to be a functionally parcelled structure. Viewed through such a conceptual filter, there are multiple clinical observations after localized stroke lesions that seem paradoxical. We tested the effect that localized stroke‐like lesions have on neuronal information processing in a part of the neocortex that is distant to the lesion using animal experiments. We find that the distant lesion degrades the quality of neuronal information processing of tactile input patterns in primary somatosensory cortex. The findings suggest that even the processing of primary sensory information depends on an intact neocortical network, with the implication that all neocortical processing may rely on widespread interactions across large parts of the cortex. Abstract Recent clinical studies report a surprisingly weak relationship between the location of cortical brain lesions and the resulting functional deficits. From a neuroscience point of view, such findings raise questions as to what extent functional localization applies in the neocortex and to what extent the functions of different regions depend on the integrity of others. Here we provide an in‐depth analysis of the changes in the function of the neocortical neuronal networks after distant focal stroke‐like lesions in the anaesthetized rat. Using a recently introduced high resolution analysis of neuronal information processing, consisting of pre‐set spatiotemporal patterns of tactile afferent activation against which the neuronal decoding performance can be quantified, we found that stroke‐like lesions in distant parts of the cortex significantly degraded the decoding performance of individual neocortical neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex (decoding performance decreased from 30.9% to 24.2% for n = 22 neurons, Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.028). This degrading effect was not due to changes in the firing frequency of the neuron (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.499) and was stronger the higher the decoding performance of the neuron, indicating a specific impact on the information processing capacity in the cortex. These findings suggest that even primary sensory processing depends on widely distributed cortical networks and could explain observations of focal stroke lesions affecting a large range of functions.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Focal neocortical lesions impair distant neuronal information processing

Wahlbom¹,

Enander²,

Bengtsson³

et al. 2019

The Journal of Physiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…2 This was at the time of the great scientific controversy over cortical location of function. Granted, it is so often forgotten that there is a fascinating historical relationship between the animal rights movement and experimental surgical neurology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-Animal Research

2005

Journal of Neurosurgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Freeman would later describe Moniz's approach to psychosurgery as "the breaking up of constellations of neuron patterns." 19,44 Regarding their approach to the procedure, he wrote that it accomplished "separation of the frontal lobes from the rest of the brain," which "removed the emotional nucleus of psychosis." 19 Freeman and his colleague, neurosurgeon James Watts, performed the first prefrontal lobotomy (leucotomy) in the US on September 14, 1936.…”

Section: Moniz's Influence On Freemanmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…44 During the physiology section meeting, Englishman David Ferrier and German Friedrich Goltz paraded their experimental subjects, a macaque and a dog, respectively, in front of a crowd-as Jacobsen and Fulton had done with their chimpanzees-to demonstrate their opposing views of localization theory. This display, as expected, fostered argument about the significance of the frontal lobes; Ferrier's view, which endorsed specialized functional areas, would emerge triumphant.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The early argument for prefrontal leucotomy: the collision of frontal lobe theory and psychosurgery at the 1935 International Neurological Congress in London

Boettcher

Menacho

2017

Neurosurgical Focus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The pathophysiology of mental illness and its relationship to the frontal lobe were subjects of immense interest in the latter half of the 19th century. Numerous studies emerged during this time on cortical localization and frontal lobe theory, drawing upon various ideas from neurology and psychiatry. Reflecting the intense interest in this region of the brain, the 1935 International Neurological Congress in London hosted a special session on the frontal lobe. Among other presentations, Yale physiologists John Fulton and Carlyle Jacobsen presented a study on frontal lobectomy in primates, and neurologist Richard Brickner presented a case of frontal ablation for olfactory meningioma performed by the Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Walter Dandy. Both occurrences are said to have influenced Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz (1874–1955) to commence performing leucotomies on patients beginning in late 1935. Here the authors review the relevant events related to frontal lobe theory leading up to the 1935 Neurological Congress as well as the extent of this meeting’s role in the genesis of the modern era of psychosurgery.

show abstract

The Goltz–Ferrier debates and the triumph of cerebral localizationalist theory

Abstract: Ferrier's dramatic demonstration of the effects produced by localized lesions in macaques triumphed over Goltz's unitary view of brain function, providing a major impetus for the subsequent successful development of neurologic surgery.

Cited by 67 publications

References 17 publications

Focal neocortical lesions impair distant neuronal information processing

Focal neocortical lesions impair distant neuronal information processing

Large-Animal Research

The early argument for prefrontal leucotomy: the collision of frontal lobe theory and psychosurgery at the 1935 International Neurological Congress in London

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About