A History of Nerve Functions: From Animal Spirits to Molecular MechanismsCambridge University Press, 2004 M04 19 - 438 pages Recent developments have extended our knowledge of the basic functions of nerves: notably, the demonstration of the mechanism within nerve fibers which transports a wide range of essential materials. In order to understand how this discovery occurred, it is necessary to examine its history. The story begins in ancient Greece when nerves were conceived of as channels through which animal spirits carried sensory impressions to the brain. As science developed, the discoveries of various physical and chemical agents supplanted the agency of animal spirits until the molecular machinery of transport was recognized. In this fascinating and complete history, Sidney Ochs begins with a chronological look at this path of discovery, followed in the second half by a thematic approach wherein the author describes the electrical nature of the nerve impulse, fiber form and its changes in degeneration and regeneration, reflexes, learning, memory and other higher functions in which transport participates. |
Contents
Preface page | 1 |
Galens Physiology of the Nervous System | 24 |
Nerve Brain and Soul in the Middle Ages | 36 |
Renaissance and the New Physiology | 50 |
New Physical and Chemical Models of Nerve in | 63 |
New Systematizations of Nerve Function in | 93 |
Electricity as the Agent of Nerve Action | 108 |
Nerve Fiber Form and Transformation | 130 |
Characterization of Axoplasmic Transport | 215 |
Molecular Models of Transport | 263 |
Actions of Neurotoxins and Neuropathic Changes Related | 284 |
Purposeful Reflexes and Instinctive Behavior | 305 |
Neural Events Related to Learning and Memory | 317 |
With Observations on the Relation of the Nervous | 353 |
367 | |
421 | |
Common terms and phrases
action potential activity agent animal spirits appeared arteries axonal transport axoplasmic transport beading behavior block blood brain Ca2+ carried cause cell bodies century changes Chapter components concept constrictions cortex cortical cytoskeleton dendrites Descartes distal dorsal root dorsal root ganglion electrical fast transport fibres Figure flow function Galen ganglia ganglion Greek growth cones hypothesis Ibid indicated injection innervated Jersild kinesin labeled proteins later ligation limb Lubińska mechanism membrane metabolism microscopic microtubules mm/day motoneuron motor move movement muscle myelin sheath nerve fibers nervous system neurites neurofilaments neurons Neurosci occur Ochs organelles outflow peripheral nerve philosophy physiology pineal gland pneuma Ramón y Cajal rate of transport reflex regeneration region responsible retrograde transport Schwann cell sciatic nerve seen segment sensation sensory showed shown slow soul spinal cord spines stimulation structure studies substance synaptic terminals theory tion transection Translated tubules ventricles vesicles vitro Waller Wallerian degeneration Weiss
Popular passages
Page 374 - Cavanagh, JB (1964). The significance of the "dying back" process in experimental and human neurological disease. Int. Rev. Exp.