History of Clinical Neurophysiology in Mexico

In the 18th century, Luigi Galvani proposed the hypothesis of animal electricity, which is produced by the brain and distributed through the nerves to the muscles. This was the cornerstone of what is known today as the modern study of nerve function, earning him the title of the Father of Clinical Neurophysiology. The 19th century was subsequently marked by two major figures: Santiago Ramón y Cajal (Neuron Theory) and Hans Berger, known for describing cerebral electrical activity and recording the first electroencephalograms. In Mexico, Clinical Neurophysiology emerged in the late 19th century and consolidated itself in the first half of the 20th century. In the year of 1938, Dr. Clemente Robles and Teodoro Flores Covarrubias built the first electroencephalograph, marking the beginning of the era of Clinical Neurophysiology. Initially, this diagnostic tool was primarily applied to psychiatric patients, as there was no clear separation between psychiatry and neurology and patients were treated jointly at the largest psychiatric center of that time, "La Castañeda." In 1968, the Mexican Society of Electroencephalography A.C. was founded and later changed its name to the Mexican Society of Clinical Neurophysiology A.C. Simultaneously, its members achieved universal recognition of the medical specialty, which has become established in clinical practice and has shown progressive academic and scientific growth in Mexico.