Why Study the History of Neuroscience?

Abstract

The history of neuroscience is the memory of the discipline and this memory depends on the study of the present traces of the past; the things left behind: artifacts, equipment, written documents, data books, photographs, memoirs, etc. History, in all of its definitions, is an integral part of neuroscience and I have used examples from the literature and my personal experience to illustrate the importance of the different aspects of history in neuroscience. Each time we talk about the brain, do an experiment, or write a research article, we are involved in history. Each published experiment becomes a historical document; it relies on past research (the “Introduction” section), procedures developed in the past (“Methods” section) and as soon as new data are published, they become history and become embedded into the history of the discipline (“Discussion” section). In order to be transparent and able to be replicated, each experiment requires its own historical archive. Studying history means researching books, documents and objects in libraries, archives, and museums. It means looking at data books, letters and memos, talking to scientists, and reading biographies and autobiographies. History can be made relevant by integrating historical documents into classes and by using historical websites. Finally, conducting historical research can be interesting, entertaining, and can lead to travel to out-of-the-way and exotic places and meeting interesting people.

Complement Has Brains—Do Intracellular Complement and Immunometabolism Cooperate in Tissue Homeostasis and Behavior?

“…The brain, as one of the most complex and distinctive tissues/organs, has always held a particularly strong fascination for humans, and indication for interest in neuroscience dates back to the 5 th century BC ( 98 ). Neurological research in the last decade unexpectedly identified local complement production as a key ‘ingredient’ of a normally developed and functioning CNS.…”

The Hebb Synapse Before Hebb: Theories of Synaptic Function in Learning and Memory Before Hebb (1949), With a Discussion of the Long-Lost Synaptic Theory of William McDougall

“…The debate on whether or not neural signaling involved chemical neurotransmitters continued for decades ( Valenstein, 2002 ). Studying the history of neuroscience helps to understand how new discoveries became accepted or rejected ( Brown, 2019 ). The theories of Semon (1921) which included the “engram” were also ignored for many years ( Schacter et al, 1978 ), but “Semon’s concept of the engram was enmeshed in a complex theory of heredity, instinct, learning and evolution, and behavioral psychologists who studied the neural basis of memory slowly dissociated the use of the term “engram” from Semon’s overall theory and used it to mean the neural location of a memory” ( Brown, 2019 , p. 22).…”

“…Studying the history of neuroscience helps to understand how new discoveries became accepted or rejected ( Brown, 2019 ). The theories of Semon (1921) which included the “engram” were also ignored for many years ( Schacter et al, 1978 ), but “Semon’s concept of the engram was enmeshed in a complex theory of heredity, instinct, learning and evolution, and behavioral psychologists who studied the neural basis of memory slowly dissociated the use of the term “engram” from Semon’s overall theory and used it to mean the neural location of a memory” ( Brown, 2019 , p. 22). It is clear from what we have written above that McDougall’s synaptic theory of cognitive function also fits into the category of ideas that were ahead of their time.…”

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“…This scientific field has made significant progress in investigating the mechanisms directing cognition, perception, and behavior [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Traditional methodologies such as brain imaging, electrophysiology, and molecular biology have contributed to the accumulation of biological and medical knowledge about the neural system’s and brain’s architecture and functionality [ 4 ]. However, the integration of neuroscience with information and communication technology (ICT) is sparking a new era of investigation, enabling scientists to delve deeper into the complex biological mechanisms of the brain and central nervous system [ 5 ].…”