Fidia Research Foundation Neuroscience Award Lectures 1986 [antikvár]

Trhe strategy used by the Fidia Research Foundation (FRF) in support of neuroscience research stems from its conviction that a better understanding of how the brain functions will not only result in benefits to mankind's health, but alsó in improvements in the quality of life. FRF's support of brain research is articulated through several mechanisms. One is the creation of four award lectures in neuroscience, each named after a great neuroscientist: Luigi Galvani, Camillo Golgi, Rita Levi Montalcini, and Vittorio Erspamer. Each lecture is focused on the expansion of the state of the art of a specific endeavor and is presented by a prominent contributor to the field. FRF is proud to present in this volume, essays written by the first four awardees, each represents quality research, depth of thinking and an expression of a creative force that promoted progress in a specific field. Although man has repeatedly attempted to elucidate the molecular nature of the mind, due to lack of appropriate background Information, such attempts repeatedly failed to bring about reliable theories. Only during the last 80 years has our knowtedge on the basic organization of brain function begun to grow and mature. This growth was generated by Ramon y Cajal's contribution on the structural organization of brain, using Camillo Golgi's silver staining method to unveil the morphology of neurons. This approach clearty focused the synapse as the strategical site of neuron to neuron interaction. Yet, today, there are still insurmountable barriers that impede our understanding of the physiology of the brain and the molecular nature of the humán mind. Since learning derives from our direct experiences and contacts with life, I would like to reflect on the historical development man approached in his studies of the mind. For many centuries before Christ, man was fascinated by the wonder of the humán mind. Lucretius (98 to 55 B.C.) expressed in his incomparable poetry a lack of understanding of the molecular nature of the mind which existed at that time. He asserted that mind and soul are held together in a close unión by a single nature. The directing principles, which we call mind and understanding, reside in the head, the region of paramount importance for all bodily functions. Lucretius believed that the mind and soul were bodily since one perceives one's