For centuries, the surface of the brain appeared uniform. Scientists knew brain injuries could change behaviour, but they had little idea whether different regions served different functions.
German physicians Gustav Fritsch and Eduard Hitzig applied tiny electrical currents to different locations on the cerebral cortex of dogs. Stimulating one area moved a leg, while stimulating another produced movements of the face, neck, or forelimb.
Their experiments provided the first clear evidence that the cerebral cortex is functionally organized. Different regions are responsible for different movements.
This principle underpins modern neurosurgery, transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and brain-computer interfaces.
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 | Published: July 9, 2026