Neurologic fragments. I. Clinical observations in demented patients

Some 28 clinical observations of behavior, mainly in demented patients, have been singled out for brief description and comment. Most are familiar, and the aim of the presentation is to identify and codify them, complementing formal psychological tests. Several have been given names--eg, insistence, balking, dread of being alone, the obligatory alibi, lability of temper, amphigory, reaching out, etc. Others draw attention to and characterize fragments of behavior--eg, ambient echolalia, periodic repetition of questions and comments, failure to recognize the spouse, turning the back, etc. Finally, a few clinical phenomena are commented upon.