Disconnexion Syndromes: A brief historical review and the important legacy of Norman Geschwind

Abstract

Disconnexion syndromes are composed by several types of
neurological manifestations associated with disconnexions of white matter
pathways. Historically, many scientists from the XIX century launched the
basis of such model. However, the great exponent in consolidating those
concepts was Norman Geschwind, who published his two seminal articles
during the sixties. Even today, more than 40 years later, their impact is still
substantial and his theories are virtually the basis of the latest models of
connexionism and its derivatives in the neuroscience field. The present
manuscript is a historic review with emphasis on the ideas from this important
neuroscientist.