Post-stroke aphasia in famous writers: when Neurology left geniuses speechless

ABSTRACT

Aphasia is a frequent and devastating stroke complication that does not spare even great writers. In these cases, not only one of the highest cognitive functions is suddenly lost but also the act of bringing beauty into the world. Herein, we discuss the case of three writers who had to abandon their art compulsorily due to a cerebrovascular disease: Charles Baudelaire, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Stendhal. They were magnificent writers, united by excellence in literature and an inevitable destiny that restricted their art to just a few words. They are also examples of the proximity of Neurology to Art, History, and Literature.

RESUMO

A afasia é uma complicação frequente e devastadora do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), que não poupa nem mesmo os grandes escritores. Nesses casos, de repente, perde-se não apenas uma das funções cognitivas mais importantes, mas o ato de colocar a beleza no mundo. Discutimos o caso de três escritores que precisaram abandonar sua arte compulsoriamente devido a uma doença cerebrovascular: Charles Baudelaire, Ralph Waldo Emerson e Stendhal. Todos eles foram escritores magníficos, unidos pela excelência em literatura e por um destino inevitável que restringia sua arte a apenas algumas palavras. Eles também são exemplos da proximidade da Neurologia com a Arte, a História e a Literatura.

Keywords:

Neurology - Stroke - Aphasia - Art

Palavras-chave:

Neurologia - Acidente Vascular Cerebral - Afasia - Arte

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