An appraisal to Hans Berger by the time of his 150<sup>th</sup> birthday: the human EEG and tales of blood flow, heat and brain waves

More than 100 years of research have passed by and still the human electroencephalogram (EEG) remains a puzzle to be solved. Starting from his studies on plethysmography until his theories on brain thermodynamics, Hans Berger was able to refine his method of recording cortical signs with the apparatus at his disposal in an ordinary neuropsychiatric yard towards an early account of human EEG. This review is an appraisal of his contribution to the field of modern neurophysiology.

Keywords
Electroencephalography; History; Brain Waves; Alpha Rhythm

Authorship

Marlon Wycliff Caeira

conceptualization

data curation

formal analysis

Investigation

Methodology

Writing – original

review and editing of drafting

Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Serviço de Epilepsia, Curitiba PR, Brazil.Universidade Federal do ParanáBrazilCuritiba, PR, BrazilUniversidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Serviço de Epilepsia, Curitiba PR, Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9094-4141

Luis Otávio Caboclo

conceptualization

data curation

formal analysis

Investigation

Methodology

Writing – original

review and editing of drafting

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Departamento de Neurologia, Neurofisiologia Clínica, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Hospital Israelita Albert EinsteinBrazilSão Paulo, SP, BrazilHospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Departamento de Neurologia, Neurofisiologia Clínica, São Paulo SP, Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4956-5542

Luciano de Paola Address for correspondence Luciano de Paola (email: luciano.depaola@gmail.com)

conceptualization

data curation

formal analysis

Investigation

Methodology

Writing – original

review and editing of drafting

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0512-610X

Address for correspondence Luciano de Paola (email: luciano.depaola@gmail.com)

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Figures

Figures (5)

Thumbnail

Figure 1
Hans Berger (1873-1941) as portraited in 1930. By the time this photograph was taken, Berger had already recorded dozens of EEGs and started to publish his reports on human EEG.¹1 Millett D. Hans Berger: from psychic energy to the EEG. Perspect Biol Med 2001;44(04):522–542. Doi: 10.1353/pbm.2001.0070
https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2001.0070...

Thumbnail

Figure 2
One of Bergeŕs plethysmographic records. The alteration in the baseline was attributed to the feeling of anger. This tracing was reproduced by Sigmund Exner in his review on central nervous system physiology of Nathan Zuntz and Adolf Loweýs Lehrbuch der Physiologie.⁸8 Exner S. Physiologie des Zentralnervensystems [Physiology of the central nervous system]. In: Zuntz N, Loewy A, eds. Lehrbuch der Physiologie. Leipzig, Germany: Vogel; 1909:121–179

Thumbnail

Figure 3
Hans Bergeŕs Edelmann string galvanometer. 1. Crank, 2. Marker fibers, 3. On/off switch, 4. Lens, 5. Diaphragm, 6. Paper box (at the right bottom) and 7. Turning fork.¹³13 Rösler F. Fromsingle-channel recordings to brain-mapping devices: the impact ofelectroencephalographyon experimental psychology. Hist Psychol 2005;8(01):95–117. Doi: 10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95
https://doi.org/10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95...

Thumbnail

Figure 4
Bergeŕs schematic illustration of lead electrodes disposition over the forehead and occipital region, just above the inion. The attaching material used to fix the electrodes is not shown.¹³13 Rösler F. Fromsingle-channel recordings to brain-mapping devices: the impact ofelectroencephalographyon experimental psychology. Hist Psychol 2005;8(01):95–117. Doi: 10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95
https://doi.org/10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95... ,¹⁴14 Berger H. “Über das Elektrenkephalogramm des Menschen (On the human electroencephalogram)”. Archiv f. Psychiatrie u. Nervenkrankheiten 1929;87:527–570

Thumbnail

Figure 5
Berger experiment on the blocking of alpha rhythm by eye opening. At the upper panel, the individual lies with eyes closed and at the lower panel, with eyes opened. In order of appearance: 1) EEG, 2) EKG and 3) 1/10 s markings.¹⁵15 Karbowski K. Hans Berger (1873-1941). J Neurol 2002;249(08): 1130–1131. Doi: 10.1007/s00415-002-0872-4
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-002-0872-...

Figure 1 Hans Berger (1873-1941) as portraited in 1930. By the time this photograph was taken, Berger had already recorded dozens of EEGs and started to publish his reports on human EEG.¹1 Millett D. Hans Berger: from psychic energy to the EEG. Perspect Biol Med 2001;44(04):522–542. Doi: 10.1353/pbm.2001.0070
https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2001.0070...

Figure 2 One of Bergeŕs plethysmographic records. The alteration in the baseline was attributed to the feeling of anger. This tracing was reproduced by Sigmund Exner in his review on central nervous system physiology of Nathan Zuntz and Adolf Loweýs Lehrbuch der Physiologie.⁸8 Exner S. Physiologie des Zentralnervensystems [Physiology of the central nervous system]. In: Zuntz N, Loewy A, eds. Lehrbuch der Physiologie. Leipzig, Germany: Vogel; 1909:121–179

Figure 3 Hans Bergeŕs Edelmann string galvanometer. 1. Crank, 2. Marker fibers, 3. On/off switch, 4. Lens, 5. Diaphragm, 6. Paper box (at the right bottom) and 7. Turning fork.¹³13 Rösler F. Fromsingle-channel recordings to brain-mapping devices: the impact ofelectroencephalographyon experimental psychology. Hist Psychol 2005;8(01):95–117. Doi: 10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95
https://doi.org/10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95...

Figure 4 Bergeŕs schematic illustration of lead electrodes disposition over the forehead and occipital region, just above the inion. The attaching material used to fix the electrodes is not shown.¹³13 Rösler F. Fromsingle-channel recordings to brain-mapping devices: the impact ofelectroencephalographyon experimental psychology. Hist Psychol 2005;8(01):95–117. Doi: 10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95
https://doi.org/10.1037/1093-4510.8.1.95... ,¹⁴14 Berger H. “Über das Elektrenkephalogramm des Menschen (On the human electroencephalogram)”. Archiv f. Psychiatrie u. Nervenkrankheiten 1929;87:527–570

Figure 5 Berger experiment on the blocking of alpha rhythm by eye opening. At the upper panel, the individual lies with eyes closed and at the lower panel, with eyes opened. In order of appearance: 1) EEG, 2) EKG and 3) 1/10 s markings.¹⁵15 Karbowski K. Hans Berger (1873-1941). J Neurol 2002;249(08): 1130–1131. Doi: 10.1007/s00415-002-0872-4
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-002-0872-...

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