Meynert and the basal nucleus

Meynert e o núcleo basal

ABSTRACT

Meynert described the "loop of the peduncular foot" (Schlinge des Hirnschenkelfusses), and its ganglion (Ganglion der Hirnschenkelschlinge) and related them to Reil's Substantia innominata and Gratiolet's Ansa peduncularis, from which he apparently built up his findings. Koelliker renamed the ganglion with the eponymous designation Meynert'sches Basalganglion (Meynert's basal ganglion), a name which endures to the present day, and described its topographical spread in relation to neighboring structures. Meynert and Koelliker also described aspects of cell composition of the ganglion (or nucleus) with a better account of the latter. Both, together with Reil and Gratiolet, were the outstanding personalities of the 19^th century who performed the pioneering studies on basal formations of the forebrain. After these works, a considerable body of research appeared in the 20^th century, with a focus on Meynert's basal nucleus and related structures. The development of further knowledge about these structures revealed their great importance in the activity of the brain, as evidenced in both normal and pathological states.

Key words:
history; Reil; Gratiolet; Meynert; Koelliker; Substantia innominata; Ansa peduncularis; nucleus basalis; basal nucleus; cholinergic.

RESUMO

Meynert descreveu a "alça do pé do pedúnculo" (Schlingedes Hirnschenkelfusses) e seu gânglio (Ganglion der Hirnschenkelschlinge), relacionando-os à Substantia innominata de Reil e à Ansa peduncularis de Gratiolet, a partir dos quais aparentemente desenvolveu seus achados. Koelliker renomeou o gânglio com a designação epônima de Meynert'sches Basalganglion (gânglio basal de Meynert), que perdura até o presente, e descreveu sua extensão topográfica em relação às estruturas vizinhas. Meynert e Koelliker descreveram também aspectos da composição celular do gânglio (ou núcleo), com um relato melhor do segundo. Ambos, juntamente com Reil e Gratiolet, foram as personalidades de destaque do século 19 que realizaram os estudos pioneiros sobre formações basais do prosencéfalo. Após esses, um número considerável de estudos apareceu no século 20, com foco no núcleo basal de Meynert e estruturas relacionadas. O desenvolvimento ulterior do saber sobre as mesmas mostraram sua grande importância na atividade cerebral, como visto em condições normais e patológicas.

Palavras-chave:
história; Reil; Gratiolet; Meynert; Koelliker; Substantia innominata; Ansa peduncularis; nucleus basalis; núcleo basal; colinérgico.

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REFERENCES

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Dec 2013

History

• Received
  20 Aug 2013
• Accepted
  03 Nov 2013