Book1997
Neuroscience
Dale Purves et al.
Introduces the nervous system through converging evidence from anatomy, physiology and behaviour rather than any one method, aimed at readers new to the field.
PaidEntry
Neuroanatomy
The wiring diagram, at the level we currently have it.
10 topics · 19 curated works
Topics
Reading in Neuroanatomy
19A way in
Start here
No prior grounding assumed.
Neuroscience
Dale Purves et al. · 1997
Introduces the nervous system through converging evidence from anatomy, physiology and behaviour rather than any one method, aimed at readers new to…
Then
Assumes you know the vocabulary.
The Triune Brain in Evolution
Paul MacLean · 1990
Argues the human brain evolved in three successive anatomical layers - reptilian, limbic and neocortical - a model since undermined by comparative…
+6 more at this level
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Primary sources and full treatments.
The Integrative Action of the Nervous System
Charles Sherrington · 1906
Argues the nervous system's basic unit of function is the reflex arc, and builds an account of integration in which reflexes combine, inhibit and…
+10 more at this level
12 of 19 works
Book1990
The Triune Brain in Evolution
Paul MacLean
Argues the human brain evolved in three successive anatomical layers - reptilian, limbic and neocortical - a model since undermined by comparative neuroanatomy showing no such discrete evolutionary strata.
PaidIntermediate
Paper2005
The Cortical Column: A Structure Without a Function
Jonathan Horton & Daniel Adams
Reviews the anatomical evidence for cortical columns and concludes most species show no sharp modular boundaries, challenging the column as a general organising principle.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeIntermediate
Paper2005
Hypothalamic Regulation of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Clifford Saper, Thomas Scammell & Jun Lu
Argues sleep and wake are produced by a mutually inhibitory switch between hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei rather than by any single sleep or wake centre.
PaidIntermediate
Paper2006
Biological Pattern Generation: The Cellular and Computational Logic of Networks in Motion
Sten Grillner
Argues locomotion is generated by spinal central pattern generators whose basic rhythm-producing logic is conserved from lamprey to mammal.
PaidIntermediate
Paper2008
Habits, Rituals, and the Evaluative Brain
Ann Graybiel
Argues the basal ganglia encode habits as chunked action sequences evaluated by dopamine signals, linking habitual behaviour to a specific circuit mechanism.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeIntermediate
Paper2012
The Geometric Structure of the Brain Fiber Pathways
Van Wedeen et al.
Claims diffusion imaging shows brain fibre pathways form a simple three-dimensional grid, a finding subsequently disputed by tractography studies that found no such universal structure.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeIntermediate
Paper2016
Thalamus Plays a Central Role in Ongoing Cortical Functioning
S. Murray Sherman
Argues the thalamus continuously shapes ongoing cortical computation rather than merely relaying sensory input on its way up to cortex.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeIntermediate
Book1906
The Integrative Action of the Nervous System
Charles Sherrington
Argues the nervous system's basic unit of function is the reflex arc, and builds an account of integration in which reflexes combine, inhibit and facilitate one another.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeAdvanced
Paper1937
A Proposed Mechanism of Emotion
James Papez
Proposes a closed anatomical circuit running from hippocampus through hypothalamus and thalamus to cingulate cortex as the substrate of emotional experience.
PaidAdvanced
Paper1949
Brain Stem Reticular Formation and Activation of the EEG
Giuseppe Moruzzi & Horace Magoun
Shows that stimulating the brainstem reticular formation activates the cortical EEG independent of specific sensory pathways, establishing a distinct arousal system.
PaidAdvanced
Paper1969
A Theory of Cerebellar Cortex
David Marr
Proposes that climbing fibres teach Purkinje cells which parallel-fibre patterns to weaken, giving the cerebellar cortex a concrete synaptic learning rule for motor skill.
link checked 17 Sept 2026FreeAdvanced
In order written
1906 – 2016- 1906The Integrative Action of the Nervous SystemCharles Sherrington
- 1937A Proposed Mechanism of EmotionJames Papez
- 1949Brain Stem Reticular Formation and Activation of the EEGGiuseppe Moruzzi & Horace Magoun
- 1969A Theory of Cerebellar CortexDavid Marr
- 1981Principles of Neural ScienceEric Kandel, James Schwartz & Thomas Jessell
- 1984The Cerebellum and Neural ControlMasao Ito
- 1986Parallel Organization of Functionally Segregated Circuits Linking Basal Ganglia and CortexGarrett Alexander, Mahlon DeLong & Peter Strick
- 1990The Triune Brain in EvolutionPaul MacLean
- 1997NeuroscienceDale Purves et al.
- 1997The Columnar Organization of the NeocortexVernon B. Mountcastle
- 2000Exploring the ThalamusS. Murray Sherman & R. W. Guillery
- 2005The Cortical Column: A Structure Without a FunctionJonathan Horton & Daniel Adams
- 2005Hypothalamic Regulation of Sleep and Circadian RhythmsClifford Saper, Thomas Scammell & Jun Lu
- 2005The human connectome: A structural description of the human brainOlaf Sporns and Giulio Tononi
- 2006Biological Pattern Generation: The Cellular and Computational Logic of Networks in MotionSten Grillner
- 2006Fiber Pathways of the BrainJeremy Schmahmann & Deepak Pandya
- 2008Habits, Rituals, and the Evaluative BrainAnn Graybiel
- 2012The Geometric Structure of the Brain Fiber PathwaysVan Wedeen et al.
- 2016Thalamus Plays a Central Role in Ongoing Cortical FunctioningS. Murray Sherman