DESCARTES and his project of a fantasized brain

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Interest in anatomy dates from the earliest times. Such knowledge was acquired through dissections of animals and human corpses by many researchers. The macroscopic anatomy of the varied structures of the brain were identified over the centuries, and the predominating solid substance was seen as amorphous, and devoid of any specific function, until the Renaissance. René Descartes, a personage with a brilliant and creative mind, conceived the brain, its structure and function, in a distinct manner to what was known at his time. He valued the solid matter and gave it, for the first time, a theoretical minute structure, related to a presumptive function based on the presence of the pineal gland and the animal spirits, underlying cognitive, sensory and motor activities. Such structural view was endorsed, in a given sense, by the microscopic findings of Marcello Malpighi, which begun to change the understanding of the nervous system.

The memory engram: beginning the search

“…This is the reason why these images do not erase easily, but are retained there, permitting that the ideas be formed there again after a long time, without requiring the presence of the objects to which they relate. However, if they close again, at least they leave 'traces' (traces) ['memory traces'] in this part of the brain, so that they can reopen more easily in the same way, under the influence of the pineal gland [20][21][22][23] . The term 'trace' (trace in French), was translated as vestigia in the Latin editions of 'The Man', with the meaning of 'memory trace' 22 .…”

“…However, if they close again, at least they leave 'traces' (traces) ['memory traces'] in this part of the brain, so that they can reopen more easily in the same way, under the influence of the pineal gland [20][21][22][23] . The term 'trace' (trace in French), was translated as vestigia in the Latin editions of 'The Man', with the meaning of 'memory trace' 22 .…”