Models of functional cerebral localization at the dawning of modern neurosurgery

The concept of a functional cerebral localization gave the needed support for the development of neurosurgery as a specialty. It should be noted though that the presence of functions on discrete areas of the cortex was a very controversial topic at that time. The objective of this paper is to review models of cortical organization at the end of the 19th century, highlighting beliefs, theories, and controversies behind them. A better understanding of this historical moment is essential to appreciate the debate between holists and localizers that stirred neuroscientists worldwide in the first half of the 20th century.