The neuron doctrine, the mind, and the Arctic

THE LATE 19TH century and early 20th century represent an era of significan t progress and important discoveries. Explorers of unknown continents inter acted with pioneers of neuroscience, including the founders of the neuron d octrine, which asserted that nerve tissue was composed of individual cells that were genetic, anatomic, functional, anti trophic units. Fridtiof Nanse n (1861-1930), an arctic explorer and a cofounder of the neuron doctrine, k new Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), a neuroscientist and the founder of psychoan alysis, as well as Harvey Gushing (1869-1939), the father of modern neurosu rgery. This is an account of the evolution of the neuron doctrine at a time of great explorers and scientists, with insight into their common interest s and interactions on scientific and social levels.