Neurochemistry-one hundred years, 1875-1975

As part of the meeting marking the centennial of the American Neurological Association, this paper reviewed the development of neurochemistry during the past one hundred years, with special reference to impacts on clinical neurological problems. Most of the progress has occurred in the past quarter of the century. Without attempting an exhaustive survey, illustrative examples are presented for: muscular contraction, synaptic transmission, nerve conduction, cerebral blood flow and metabolism, central excitation and inhibition, immunological and genetic factors, and nutrition, among others. Clearly, neurochemistr has contributed significantly to our understanding of many neurological disorders. In the future even greater convergence may be expected.