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Lina Stern (1878-1968), a neurophysiologist and biochemist, was born in Russia. She studied at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where, after graduating, she conducted original research in physiology and biochemistry. In 1918, Stern was the first woman to be awarded a professional title at the University of Geneva and headed the department of Physiological Chemistry. She is deservedly considered to be one of the first scientists to entertain the concept of a blood-brain barrier. In 1929, Stern founded the Institute of Physiology in Moscow, of which she was director until 1948, when it was discontinued. Under her leadership, multidisciplinary groups of colleagues worked on the problems of the blood-brain and tissue-brain barriers and homeostasis of the brain. In 1939, Stern was elected full member of the Academy of Sciences and became its first female member ever. Most scientists manage to conduct their research by adjusting to the political and social situations surrounding them. Lina Stern did not follow this path. This small woman of complete devotion to science took the drastic decisions that altered her life. Though destiny was not kind to her, Lina Stern did not compromise. Despite a threat of execution, prolonged imprisonment, and exile she was never broken as a scientist and always maintained her dignity.

The history of the Clinic for Nervous Diseases of the Moscow University reflects in its entirety the history of the Moscow neurological school itself. A.Ya. Kozhevnikov, the founder of the clinic, was the first professor of neurology in Russia. The clinic opened its doors in 1890 and became the first specialized medical facility in Europe devoted to the treatment of neurological disorders. Kozhevnikov brought up a number of talented followers, who later worked all over Russia, and some of them became in charge of the Clinic for Nervous Diseases. This paper looks into contributions Kozhevnikov, his pupils V.K. Rot, V.A. Muratov, G.I. Rossolimo, E.K. Sepp, and some others who were responsible for the development of the neurological science.