Sergei Korsakoff, Alois Alzheimer, James Parkinson, Hans Asperger and other eminent scientists, are all names which have become synonymous with a disease, a syndrome, or an autistic disorder. Although the names of these psychiatrists and neurologists are familiar, we often know little about the individuals themselves and the circumstances surrounding their discoveries. What exactly did they discover, and who were their patients? Douwe Draaisma expertly reconstructs the lives of these and eight other ‘names’ from the science of mind and brain. Disturbances of the Mind provides a fascinating, illuminating, and at times touching insight into the history of brain research. Thanks to Draaisma’s unerring eye and elegant, engaging style, the case histories of Asperger, Bonnet, Capgras, Clérambault, Korsakoff and Gilles de la Tourette syndromes; Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; the areas of Broca and Brodmann; Jackson’s epilepsy; and the Gage matrix are all brought to life and transformed into unforgettable tales.

• Examines discoveries in neurology and psychiatry in the context of the personal life of the discoverer, showing their aspirations, frustrations, failures and successes • Provides readers with a better understanding of the societal context of diagnoses such as Asperger Syndrome and Tourette Syndrome, as well as an appreciation of how perspectives on neurological and psychiatric disorders have varied over time • Douwe Draaisma’s work has been translated into twenty languages and he has been the recipient of several national awards, praising both his academic achievements and the elegance of his writing