Babinski's Anosognosia for Hemiplegia in Early Twentieth-Century French Neurology |
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Authors: | Karen G Langer |
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Institution: | 1. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center , New York, NY, USA Karen.langer@nyumc.org |
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Abstract: | In 1914, Babinski first described “anosognosia”; a term he coined for a phenomenon involving unawareness of disability in hemiplegia. Historical roots of contemporary perspectives on anosognosia after stroke may be found in early discussions among French neurologists. Current notions and debate regarding the roles played by cognition, emotional factors, sensory loss and somatosensory neglect in anosognosia, and the distinctness of anosognosia as a symptom echo the theoretical dilemmas of an earlier past. Historical overview of the development of perspectives on anosognosia enriches our understanding of unawareness of disability. |
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Keywords: | Babinski anosognosia unawareness stroke French neurology history denial of illness |
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