For millennia, humans have immortalized the contents of their minds through artistic creations, including depictions of signs of neurological conditions with intricate detail. These artworks have sparked extensive scholarship from art historians, enthusiasts and physicians in an attempt to decipher these neurological manifestations.  Neurologists, with their rigorous observational training, offer a unique perspective on art appreciation.

This exploration spans from the Neolithic era, investigating phenomena such as bored holes in skulls, to Roman sculptures depicting facial distortions, Renaissance anatomy lessons concealed beneath brushstrokes, and Charcot’s pedagogical influence at the Salpêtrière. We also consider the portrayal of neurological themes in contemporary media, including cartoons and video games, as well as how patients utilize art to express their diseases to both clinicians and society.