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Six Landmark Case Reports Essential for Neuropsychiatric Literacy
Sheldon Benjamin1, Lindsey MacGillivray1, Barbara Schildkrout1
1From the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass. (SB); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto (LM); the Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston (BS); the Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla. (AC-O); the Neuropsychiatry Program Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore (MDL); and the Countway Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston (LLL).
Neuropsychiatric case reports deepen our understanding of brain-behavior links and phenomenology. Despite their educational value, few top journals publish these crucial clinical insights.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychiatry
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Medical History
Background:
- Clinical case reports are foundational in neuropsychiatry.
- They enhance understanding of brain-behavior relationships and neuropsychiatric phenomenology.
- These reports offer valuable educational material for neurology and psychiatry trainees.
Observation:
- Six landmark cases (Phineas Gage,
- Tan
- , Auguste Deter,
- S
- ,
- JP
- , and
- HM
- ) were selected.
- These cases are paradigmatic and illuminate brain-behavior correlations.
- Primary sources were used, highlighting underappreciated aspects.
Findings:
- Case reports offer valuable insights into complex neurological and psychiatric conditions.
- The selected cases demonstrate significant contributions to understanding brain function and dysfunction.
- Summaries emphasize key lessons learned from each historical patient.
Implications:
- Case reports remain a vital educational resource for clinicians and researchers.
- There is a need to increase the publication of case reports in high-impact journals.
- Promoting case report publication can foster further advancements in neuropsychiatry.
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