Brain Physiology and Modern Medicine

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Abstract
Recent neurophysiologic discoveries have contributed much to understanding of human behavior and the role of the nervous system in normal and abnormal organic functions. Addition of the concept of graded cellular depolarization to the “all-or-none” law of neuronal conduction has far-reaching consequences, as emphasized by the fact that it renders obsolete former concepts of electroencephalographic interpretation. The central brain stem, in addition to having some measure of visceral control, now is known to be critically implicated in “extrapyramidal” motor modulation, arousal response and consciousness, screening of sensory input to the brain, control of endocrine glands, and emotional behavior. Contributions of these physiologic mechanisms to understanding of epilepsy, psychosomatic disease, mental and emotional disorders, and clinical effects of drugs are reviewed.

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