The influence of James and Darwin on Cajal and his research into the neuron theory and evolution of the nervous system

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy

Javier eDeFelipe¹  Francisco Rômulo Monte Ferreira²  Maria Inês Nogueira² 

[1] Instituto Cajal (CSIC), Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales (Centro de Tecnología Biomédica), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid andCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED);University of São Paulo;

关键词: neural plasticity;    history of neuroscience;    Evolution of the Nervous System;    Reticular Theory;    Neuron Theory;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnana.2014.00001

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this article we discuss the influence of William James and Charles Darwin on the thoughts of Ramón y Cajal concerning the structure, plasticity and evolution of the nervous system at the cellular level. Here we develop Cajal’s notion that neuronal theory is a necessary condition to explain the plasticity of neural connections. Although the roots of the term ‘plasticity’ in reference to neuroscience are not completely clear, Cajal was an important figure in the propagation and popularization of its use. It is true that he carried out a large number of studies throughout his career in favor of the neuronal theory, but perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of his studies was his innovative capacity to interpret structure as being the result of evolutionary mechanisms, i.e., natural selection. This capacity would ultimately lead Cajal to the conclusion that, in relation to the histology of the nervous system, such selection occurs in the establishment of connections between cells.

【 授权许可】

Unknown