Some experimental studies spoke in favour of the localization theory; others such as the results of the biologist Jean Pierre Flourens (1794�C1867) performed on rabbits and pigeons were compatible with a global representation of cognitive functions distributed over the whole cortex [3]. A precursor of the localization of eloquent cortical areas constituted the phrenology selleck Gefitinib developed by the Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall (1758�C1828) at beginning of 19th century [4]. Gall subdivided the cortex initially in 27 and later his pupil Johannes Spurzheim (1776�C1832) in 37 separated independently functioning areas which were responsible for different faculties (Figure 1).

Besides cognitive functions such as intelligence, memory, or the ability to recognize the size of the objects, Gall associated in a very speculative way based on anatomy of the skull also personality features such as parental love, belief in religion, idealism, or benevolence with distinct cortical areas. He was convinced that pronounced features or the character of a person had a strict morphologic correlate leading to a hypertrophy of the corresponding cortical area and the skull beyond [4]. He believed also that in reverse by palpation of the external bony bumbs on the hypertrophy of specific functional cortical areas and thus on the personality and character of the person can be concluded. Phrenology spread with Spurzheim to UK and to the United States and became an amusing subject in the salons of the upper class society in the first half of the 19th century.

Despite the fact that from our present scientific point of view this theory is obsolete, it has to be admitted in favour of Gall that he was one of the first physicians who again underlined the significance of the brain and who initiated further study on the localization of the higher cognitive brain functions. However at the academic level, the location of brain functions in particular the higher cognitive abilities remained an unsolved issue in that time. Over time an increasing opposition against phrenology arouse from scientists in particular by Flourens [3] who was asked by the French academy of sciences to investigate scientifically the propositions of Gall’s theory. Challenged by Gall’s assumptions and due to increasing withdrawing from a romantic natural philosophy toward measurable objective science of nature, an intense study of cortical functions with anatomical, histological, and electrophysiological methods started to develop in the mid 19th century.

It is not surprising therefore that also pioneers of neurosurgery among others such as Victor Horsley (1857�C1916) Anacetrapib participated in this research themselves and investigated experimentally the localization of cognitive functions. Figure 1 Gall’s phrenology: the cortex is subdivided in several independent areas with particular functions of cognition and behavior.