ABSTRACT
Despite being one of the youngest fields of science, neurotrauma is rooted in ancient culture, stretching as far back as anthropological records. Traumatic injuries to the brain and spinal cord were classically considered to be fatal, though we now know that this is not the case, nor has it truly been in the past. Survival rates have dramatically increased within the past century, though history indicates that even the Neolithic period saw people sustain traumatic injuries and survive. In fact, cases in which a person survived their injuries is a major component of studying the brain, as observing what abilities are lost to the damage can tell us much about what areas of the brain control what functions. In a very brief summary on the basics of neuroscience, trauma-based case histories have taught us about differences in the four main cortical lobes, central sub-cortical structures, cellular functions, and neurotransmitter functions. What follows is a chronological examination of 13 of the most famous case histories in neurotrauma. Cases were selected only if the persons subjected to neurotrauma survived to live meaningfully after their injuries, be those injuries due to direct damage, chemical damage, or acute disease, and contributed significantly to the body of neurotrauma research. Though certainly no less deserving of attention, degenerative conditions such as dementia and motor neuron disorders are only discussed where there is an implication that acute trauma may have initiated the condition.
