Wilder Penfield Quotes

A collection of quotes by Wilder Penfield.

Wilder Penfield (1891-1976) was a renowned Canadian neurosurgeon and researcher. He played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of the human brain and its functions. Penfield made significant contributions to the field of epilepsy surgery and pioneered innovative techniques that greatly impacted the treatment of neurological disorders.

Born in Spokane, Washington, Penfield pursued his medical education at Princeton University and completed his doctorate in medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He later moved to Canada and joined the faculty of McGill University in Montreal, where he established the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) in 1934. There, Penfield conducted groundbreaking research on the human brain, focusing on the study of epilepsy.

One of Penfield's most notable accomplishments was the development of a surgical procedure known as the Montreal procedure. This technique involved stimulating specific areas of the brain with electrical probes to identify and remove the regions responsible for epileptic seizures while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. This procedure significantly improved the outcome of epilepsy surgeries and helped many patients regain a better quality of life.

Beyond his surgical expertise, Penfield's published works, including his renowned book "The Cerebral Cortex of Man," further enriched the understanding of brain functions. His research and innovative techniques left an enduring impact on neurosurgery and neuroscience, earning him great recognition and numerous accolades throughout his career. Wilder Penfield's contributions continue to influence the field of neuroscience and inspire future generations of researchers in their pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the human brain.

Rest, with nothing else, results in rust. It corrodes the me

Rest, with nothing else, results in rust. It corrodes the mechanisms of the brain. The rhubarb that no one picks goes to seed.

Wilder Penfield

Relaxation

...I realized that there was a thrilling undiscovered countr

...I realized that there was a thrilling undiscovered country to be explored in the mechanisms of the mammalian nervous system. Through it, one might approach the mystery of the mind...

Wilder Penfield

Mind

When one of these flashbacks was reported to me by a conscio

When one of these flashbacks was reported to me by a conscious patient, I was incredulous. For example, when a mother told me she was suddenly aware, as my electrode touched the cortex, of being in the kitchen listening to the voice of her little boy who was playing outside in the yard.

Wilder Penfield

Memory