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Published Online: November 1937

CORRELATIONS OF BEHAVIOR AND NEUROPATHOLOGY IN A CASE OF CEREBRAL PALSY FROM BIRTH INJURY

Arnold Gesell and Harry M. ZimmermanAuthors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 94, Number 3

https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.94.3.505

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Abstract

1. A first detailed study, correlating behavioral data with neuropathologic findings in a case of cerebral palsy is presented.

2. The psychological development and behavior characteristics of A. C. were investigated by repeated observations, cinema records, and a training program, until his death at the age of 14 years.

3. Necropsy showed an uncomplicated lesion of the basal ganglia, of the classic status marmoratus type.

4. A tabular summary lists the neuropathological and behavioral findings and brings normal and observed functions into comparison.

5. The cinema records of A. C. at 7, 10 and 13 years were subjected to frame by frame analysis to ascertain evidences of pattern in the apparently erratic movements of his double athetosis.

6. This cinemanalysis revealed temporal and spatial pattern characteristics similar to those of the spontaneous supine activity and the tonic neck reflex of normal infancy. Eleven comparable pattern phases in A. C. and a normal four weeks old infant are identified and delineated.

7. The psychological characteristics of A. C. are interpreted in relation to his autonomic, sensori-motor, intellectual and social behavior. The limitations of motor theories of mental life and of mental growth are pointed out.

8. In spite of the paucity and disfigurement of kinesthetic experience, A. C. showed remarkable integration of personality and significant approximations to normal mentality.

9. Considerable maturation takes place in unimpaired cerebral areas even when they are cut off from normal tactile motor communications.

10. The blemish of behavior patterning is not commensurate with the destruction of the primary sensory and motor mechanisms. Mental growth tends toward an optimum organization.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 94 • Number 3 • November 1937

Pages: 505 - 536

History

Published in print: November 1937

Published online: 1 April 2006

Authors

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Arnold Gesell

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Harry M. Zimmerman

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Yale Clinic of Child Development

The Clinic of Child Development and the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yale University

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CORRELATIONS OF BEHAVIOR AND NEUROPATHOLOGY IN A CASE OF CEREBRAL PALSY FROM BIRTH INJURY

Abstract

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