title: Hitler's parkinsonism.
abstract: Of the multitude of medical and psychiatric conditions ascribed to Hitler both in his lifetime and since his suicide in April 1945, few are more substantiated than parkinsonism. While the timeline of the development of this condition, as well as its etiology, are debated, there is clear evidence for classic manifestations of the disease, most prominently a resting tremor but also stooped posture, bradykinesia, micrographia, and masked facial expressions, with progression steadily seen over his final years. Though ultimately speculation, some have suggested that Hitler suffered from progressive cognitive and mood disturbances, possibly due to parkinsonism, that affected the course of events in the war. Here, the authors discuss Hitler's parkinsonism in the context of the Third Reich and its eventual destruction, maintaining that ultimately his disease had little effect on the end result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Lillian B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Boettcher
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Phillip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bonney
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Smitherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sughrue
mesh_terms: D005197:Famous Persons; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology*; D047789:World War II
keywords: Hitler; Parkinson disease; World War II; parkinsonism