He is remembered for his description of the nucleus of the posterior commissure, also known as the "nucleus of Darkshevich", defined as a cell group located in the central gray substance of the upper end of the cerebral aqueduct, in front of the oculomotor nucleus.
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From 1882 to 1887 he studied medicine at the University of Moscow, and afterwards worked and studied at the laboratory of Theodor Meynert (1833-1892) in Vienna, the laboratory of Paul Flechsig (1847-1929) in Leipzig, Carl Westphal's clinic in Berlin, and at the Salpêtrière in the clinic of Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893).