Neurological function-based research

Function of the nervous system has been the main domain of interest of an elite group of philosophers, scientists and physicians. This topic may only be understood within a historical perspective, since the progression of knowledge of the function of the nervous system has always paralleled the expansion of our understanding of the outer world and of biological organisms observed. However, data gained from functional experimental and clinical researches in neurosurgery, neurology and neuroscience constitute not only a traditional and historical accumulation of this knowledge but also serve as one of the most important aspects of experimental and clinical neuroscience in the future. This article summarizes the basic principles and methods used in neurological function-based research. In order to elucidate the topic, the text was practically divided into three main sections: (1) historical perspective regarding functional research models in clinical and experimental neuroscience; (2) neurological function-based clinical studies in humans; and (3) experimental research models on animals.