Editing Neuroscientist (section)

=== Egyptian understanding and early Greeks ===
[[File:Hieroglyphic-brain.jpg|thumb|[[Egyptian hieroglyphs|Hieroglyphic]] stating the word, "brain", dated to 1700 BC. This work is considered a copy of an original writing as old as 3000 BC.]]

Some of the first writings about the brain come from the [[Egyptians]]. In about 3000 BC the first known written description of the brain also indicated that the location of brain injuries may be related to specific symptoms. This document contrasted common theory at the time. Most of the Egyptians' other writings are very spiritual, describing thought and feelings as responsibilities of the [[heart]]. This idea was widely accepted and can be found into 17th century [[Europe]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Gross|first=Charles|date=1987|title=Early History of Neuroscience|url=https://www.princeton.edu/~cggross/Hist_Neurosci_Ency_neurosci.pdf|journal=Encyclopedia of Neuroscience|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222254/http://www.princeton.edu/~cggross/Hist_Neurosci_Ency_neurosci.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref>

[[Plato]] believed that the brain was the locus of mental processes. However, [[Aristotle]] believed instead the heart to be the source of mental processes and that the brain acted as a cooling system for the cardiovascular system.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Applied Neuroscience for the Allied Health Professions|last=McBean|first=Douglas|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|year=2012|pages=2–3}}</ref>

[[Galen]] described the seven [[cranial nerves]]' functions along with giving a foundational understanding of the [[spinal cord]]. He believed that sensory sensation was caused in the middle of the brain, while the motor sensations were produced in the anterior portion of the brain. Galen imparted some ideas on [[mental health]] disorders and what caused these disorders to arise. He believed that the cause was backed-up [[black bile]], and that [[epilepsy]] was caused by [[phlegm]]. Galen's observations on neuroscience were not challenged for many years.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Neuroscience, Early History of|last=Gross|first=Charles|publisher=Encyclopedia of Neuroscience|year=1987|pages=843–847}}</ref>