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On aphasia due to atrophy of the cerebral convolutions. By Dr G. Mingazzini, Professor of Neuropathology at the Royal University of Rome. Brain 1914: 36; 493–524.
Cambridge
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Giovanni Mingazzini (1859–1929) is not slow to point out that he, Arnold Pick and Jules Déjerine had each described independently, and at about the same time, cases of aphasia that, at autopsy, were attributable to atrophy of the relevant cortical convolutions and not stroke or tumour. Since these and subsequent reports were scanty, he proposes to describe in detail the case of Pio Marini, a gilder, studied in life and post mortem at the lunatic asylum in Rome. In 1907 Sr Marini became impulsive and showed difficulty in speaking and understanding what was said. He used paraphasic substitutions and managed his frustrations with threats and rage. The symptoms progressed without sudden change such that his relatives had him committed to the asylum early in 1909. Examination shows no physical abnormalities of significance but his speech is extremely limited and characterized by echolalia, perseveration or meaningless reciting of his name (as