Citation

Lieberman A. Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. 1996; 2(2): 95-103.

Affiliation

Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.; National Parkinson Foundation Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18591024

Abstract

Adolf Hitler had Parkinson symptoms in 1934, at age 45 years. He may have had transient symptoms in 1923, at age 34 years. Young-onset parkinsonism, during the 1920s, favored a diagnosis of post-encephalitic rather than idiopathic parkinsonism. Hitler had oculogyric crises, phenomena only associated with post-encephalitic parkinsonism. In addition, he had dystonic facial spasms, palilalia and a sleep disorder, phenomena more likely to be associated with post-encephalitic than idiopathic parkinsonism. In November 1918, at age 29 years, Hitler may have had von Economo's encephalitis, while he was a patient in a hospital, recovering from poison gas. This paper looks at the possible relationship of von Economo's encephalitis to Hitler's asocial behavior; his obsessions and compulsions, his cruelty and rages. The influence of Hitler's parkinsonism on his conduct during World War II is discussed.

Language: en