By the late nineteenth century, many scientists believed the brain formed one continuous network.
Using Golgi’s staining technique, Santiago Ramón y Cajal carefully examined nervous tissue and concluded that the brain is built from individual neurons separated by tiny gaps. He proposed the neuron doctrine, one of the foundational principles of neuroscience.
His work transformed our understanding of how information flows through the nervous system.
Every modern model of neural circuits and brain function builds on Cajal’s insight.
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 | Published: July 13, 2026