Neurochemistry and related terms: their introduction and acceptance

Neurochemical terminology first appeared in the 1850s to describe a broadly-based combination of the chemistry and biology of neural systems. This usage was not maintained and the major theme became "brain chemistry", more narrowly based on the brain and on organic chemistry. This term was used between the 1880s and the 1930s for sections in physiological and biochemical texts and for monographs. Neurochemistry was re-introduced in the 1940s, first as an administrative subdivision, then as a description of neurochemical workers and then of their work. Its widespread use dates from 1955 and the neurochemical literature of this period is described. The success of neurochemical terminology at its second introduction is attributed to the adequate development of core subjects, of applied aspects which gave funding, and to a general development of neurosciences.