Abstract Details

Title Neuropsychiatric Phenomena in the Book "Cantigas de Santa Maria" (CSM)

Topic History of Neurology

Presentation(s) P05 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 261

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: CSM is a poetry book, written in Galician-Portuguese between 1252 and 1284 and composed at the Court of King Alfonso X El Sabio of Castile (1221-1284). There are 427 canticles (but with 7 repeated compositions) which include devotional and liturgical poems and 365 narratives stories and mainly Marian miracles. Most are set to music and many are illustrated by illuminations.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: We reviewed all 427 canticles and searched for the description of miracles and other neuropsychiatric phenomena described in the book. Two neurologists fluent in Portuguese reviewed the accounts and reached a final consensus about each description.

Results RESULTS: Of the 353 miracle narratives, 135 medically relevant facts and 17 instances of resurrection were reported. Possible neuropsychiatric conditions were described in 74 canticles. The most common neurological conditions detailed were healing of blindness (N=9) and deformities consistent with sequelae of polio versus dystonia (N=8, cantigas 77, 117, 166, 179, 268, 327, 333, 391). Other common conditions included human rabies and deaf-mutism(N=5, each), psychosis (N=5 and 2 possible puerperal psychosis), head trauma and ergotism/fogo de San Marcal (N=4, each), strokes, leprosy, MS (cantigas 218, 329, 407), pain and organic or non-organic erectile dysfunction (N=3, each), peripheral neuropathy (N=2, cantigas 53, 259), mutism, heavy metal poisoning, trigeminal neuralgia, cranial malformations and syncope(N=1, each). There were 4 examples of prodromic mystical experiences/hallucinations heralding death and one report of prodromic laughter and encephalopathy prior to death (fou rire prodromique, cantiga 284).

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by interpretation and understanding of the neuropsychiatric phenomena in the medieval context, these short accounts are among the first descriptions of neuropsychiatric conditions in early Portuguese/Gallician. These texts evoke images which recall the neurologic phenomena depicted by Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder a few centuries later.

Authors/Disclosures
Francisco De Assis Gondim, MD, PhD, MSc, FAAN (Universidade Federal Do Ceara) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
Otoni C. Vale, MD, PhD (School of Medicine - Federal University of Ceara)	No disclosure on file
Florian P. Thomas, MD, PhD, MA, FAAN (Hackensack Meridian Health)	Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Hackensack Meridian Health. Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for MND. Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Dr. Thomas has a non-compensated relationship as a Board Member, Metro New Jersey with National MS Society that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Thomas has a non-compensated relationship as a Board Member with American Paraplegia Society that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Ludwig Kappos, MD, FAAN (RC2NB, University Hospital Basel)	Dr. Kappos has nothing to disclose.

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