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Theodor Meynert
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<h2 id="brain-research">Brain research</h2> <p>Meynert's work was largely focused on brain anatomy, <a href="/facts/Pathology/U9b18LJG">pathology</a> and <a href="/facts/Histology/yrI90zlU">histology</a>, including the mapping of its intricate pathways and topography. He made many contributions involving the study of the cellular architecture of the brain and is often considered to be the founder of <a href="/facts/Cytoarchitectonics_of_the_cerebral_cortex/npnsdK3T">cerebral cortex cytoarchitectonics</a>. </p><p>Meynert developed theories in regards to correlations between <a href="/facts/Neuroanatomy/VJxVXoWm">neuroanatomical</a> and mental processes. He conceptualized that a coupling between one mental association and its temporal successor as a literal contact between cortical nerve cells linked to one other by nerve fibers, and a series of cortical associations could therefore be construed as being a "train of thought". He also theorized that ideas and memories are to be envisioned as being attached to specific cortical cells. </p><p> In regards to <a href="/facts/Mental_illness/EPNjFtFf">mental illness</a>, Meynert conceptualized that a conflict existed between the cerebral cortex and the sub-cortical regions as the primary cause for abnormal function of cerebral components. Also he formulated that a causal connection existed between cerebral pathologies and <a href="/facts/Psychoses/cVGd7MKK">psychoses</a> due to a lack of "cerebral nutrition" related to <a href="/facts/Vasomotor/DJowpgE0">vasomotor</a> functionality.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> Meynert's aim was to establish psychiatry as an exact science based on anatomy. In his 1884 textbook <i>Psychiatrie. Klinik der Erkrankungen des Vorderhirns</i>, Meynert forewords with the statement:</p><blockquote><p>"The reader will find no other definition of 'Psychiatry' in this book but the one given on the title page: Clinical Treatise on Diseases of the <a href="/facts/Forebrain/X3H1IqLq">Forebrain</a>. The historical term for psychiatry, i.e., 'treatment of the soul,' implies more than we can accomplish, and transcends the bounds of accurate scientific investigation."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></p></blockquote> <h2 id="anatomical-terms">Anatomical terms</h2> <p>He has several anatomical structures named after him, including the <a href="/facts/Basal_optic_nucleus_of_Meynert/CPdWnqpR">basal optic nucleus of Meynert</a>, the <a href="/facts/Substantia_innominata_of_Meynert/d1WI0k9v">substantia innominata of Meynert</a> and "Meynert cells", which are solitary pyramidal cells located in the <a href="/facts/Cerebral_cortex/GpXosGHP">cerebral cortex</a> near the <a href="/facts/Calcarine_fissure/UHASg4DN">calcarine fissure</a>. In 1869 Meynert described the dorsal tegmental <a href="/facts/Decussation/THJI9Mht">decussation</a> of the left and right <a href="/facts/Tectospinal_tract/UajXN6AT">tectospinal</a> and tectobulbar tracts, located in the <a href="/facts/Mesencephalon/NXpE9WXV">mesencephalon</a> (midbrain). This was to become known as "Meynert's decussation" or as "fountain decussation".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="selected-written-works">Selected written works</h2> <ul><li><i>Die Bloßlegung des Bündelverlaufs im Großhirnstamme</i>, 1865</li> <li><i>Der Bau der Großhirnrinde und seine örtliche Verschiedenheiten nebst einem pathologisch-anatomischen Korollarium</i>, 1868 – Construction of the cerebral cortex and its local differences, including a pathological-anatomical <a href="/facts/Corollary/ntQ8zR9N">corollary</a>.</li> <li><i><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160827171401/http://reader.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/fs1/object/goToPage/bsb10997194.html?pageNo=38">Vom Gehirne der Säugethiere</a></i> in <a href="/facts/Salomon_Stricker/mwhArf9y">Salomon Stricker</a>'s <i>Handbuch der Lehre von den Geweben des Menschen und der Thiere</i>, 1872 – Treatise on the brain of <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a>.</li> <li><i>Psychiatrie. Klinik der Erkrankungen des Vorderhirns, begründet auf dessen Bau, Leistungen und Ernährung</i>, 1884 – Psychiatry: clinical disorders of the <a href="/facts/Forebrain/X3H1IqLq">forebrain</a>, based on its construction, performance and nutrition.</li> <li><i>Klinische Vorlesungen über Psychiatrie</i>, 1890 – Lectures on clinical psychiatry.</li> <li><i>Gedichte</i>; Poems (published posthumously by Dora von Stockert-Meynert). William Braumüller, Vienna and <a href="/facts/Leipzig/KIqgMgLN">Leipzig</a> in 1905.</li></ul> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <ul><li><i>List of publications taken from an article on Theodor Meynert from the German Wikipedia.</i></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li>Seitelberger F (December 1997). "Theodor Meynert (1833–1892), pioneer and visionary of brain research". <i>Journal of the History of the Neurosciences</i>. 6 (3): 264–74. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09647049709525713">10.1080/09647049709525713</a>. <a href="/facts/PMID_(identifier)/JlHAvMHt">PMID</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11619863">11619863</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090430071101/http://htpprints.yorku.ca/archive/00000122/02/NEUROLOGICAL-ORIGINS2.html">[1]</a> The Neurological Origins of Psychoanalysis by Raymond E. Fancher</li> <li><a href="https://archive.today/20080220234745/http://www.idst.vt.edu/modernworld/d/Freudeval.html">[2]</a> Review from Psychological Science Vol. 7, No. 2, March 1996 by Frederick Crews</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Fancher, R., E. (1996). Pioneers of Psychology (3rd eds). Norton and Company Inc., London/New York <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Answers.com; Theodor Meynert <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/meynert-theodor" target="_blank">http://www.answers.com/topic/meynert-theodor</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Mental Illness as a "Brain Disease" <a href="http://www.szasz.com/freeman13.html" target="_blank">http://www.szasz.com/freeman13.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Dorlands Medical Dictionary <a href="http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_m_14zPzhtm" target="_blank">http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_m_14zPzhtm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Theodor Hermann Meynert @ Who Named It <a href="http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/958.html" target="_blank">http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/958.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>