Rehabilitating Phineas Gage

Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2010 Oct;20(5):641-58. doi: 10.1080/09602011003760527. Epub 2010 May 1.

Abstract

The view that Phineas Gage's accident made him permanently "no longer Gage" is scrutinised critically. Re-examination of the well-known older evidence together with a consideration of new material strongly implies that Gage eventually made a surprisingly good psychosocial adaptation to his injury. It is argued that the structure provided by the external circumstances of his work facilitated this result. Parallels are drawn with the theory and practice of modern rehabilitation which began with Luria.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / history*
  • Brain Injuries / psychology*
  • Famous Persons
  • Frontal Lobe / injuries
  • History of Medicine
  • History, 19th Century
  • Humans
  • Male

Personal name as subject

  • Phineas Gage