Gaetano Perusini

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Perusini

Gaetano Perusini (1879 – 1915) was an Italian physician and neurologist who is best known for his contributions to the understanding of Alzheimer's disease. He worked closely with Alois Alzheimer, the German psychiatrist and neuropathologist after whom the disease is named.

Early Life and Education

Gaetano Perusini was born in Udine, Italy, in 1879. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Rome, where he developed an interest in neurology and psychiatry. After completing his medical degree, he continued his education in Germany, where he met and began working with Alois Alzheimer.

Career and Contributions

Perusini's most significant contributions came during his collaboration with Alzheimer at the University of Munich. Together, they studied the pathological and clinical features of a form of dementia that would later be known as Alzheimer's disease. Perusini was instrumental in documenting the cases and conducting the histopathological examinations that led to the identification of the characteristic amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the disease.

In 1909, Perusini published a detailed account of four cases of the disease, which included comprehensive clinical and pathological descriptions. His work provided critical evidence that supported Alzheimer's initial findings and helped to establish the disease as a distinct clinical entity.

Later Life and Legacy

Perusini returned to Italy in 1911, where he continued his research and clinical work. Unfortunately, his promising career was cut short by his untimely death in 1915 during World War I. Despite his brief career, Perusini's contributions to the understanding of Alzheimer's disease have had a lasting impact on the field of neurology and psychiatry.

See Also

• Alzheimer's disease
• Alois Alzheimer
• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• University of Munich
• University of Rome