Structural and Functional Organization of the Neocortex: Proceedings of a Symposium in the Memory of Otto D. Creutzfeldt, May 1993

Otto D. Creutzfeldt, neurobiologist, neurophysiologist, and neurologist died on January 23, 1992. An active researcher in many fields, he became an expert on the neocortex, the structure that interested him most. This book presents the papers from a symposium organized by some of his former collaborators to present his main research interests. In chapters addressing such various aspects as development, plasticity, circuitry, and higher functions, short original papers provide an overview of structural and functional properties of the cerebral cortex from various perspectives, from cellular mechanisms to cognitive processes in humans. The papers document the wide range of information gained in recent research and provide insight into structural and functional properties of the neocortex.

On April 1, 1992, Otto Creutzfeldt would have celebrated his 65th birthday. About a year before, those of us who worked with him in the Department of Neurobiology decided to organize a meeting to honour Otto and his contri- butions to neuroscience. Since Otto Creutzfeldt had no intention of retiring before his 67th birthday, this was not to be a "retirement conference" but a celebration on the occasion of a major anniversary. However. events turned out differently. In the spring of 1991, Otto Creutzfeldt became seriously ill, before we could consult with him on his suggestions for such a meeting, and we decided to postpone further dis- cussion until his health improved. In the summer, when we talked to him about the meeting, he basically approved of the idea but immediately sug- gested our turning it into a proper scientific congress, rather than limiting ourselves to inviting his friends and former co-workers. He had very good friends in many parts of the world and would certainly have liked to see many of them again. However, his interest in science remained the domi- nant factor. He proposed the main topics for the conference and suggested several speakers to be invited. Although he knew that his health was crit- ical and that his condition could rapidly worsen, we had the feeling that the planning gave him hope and perhaps an opportunity to look forward.