[Parkinson's disease in literature, cinema and television]

Rev Neurol. 2014 Feb 1;58(3):133-41.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Since James Parkinson published what can be considered the first treaty on the disease that bears his name in 1817, the scientific literature on this pathology has not ceased to grow. But the illness has also been represented in literature, the cinema and on television, where the symptoms, treatment and socio-familial context of the disease have often been examined very closely. AIM. To address the cases in which Parkinson's disease appears in literature, cinema and television, as well as to reflect on the image of the condition presented in those contexts. DEVELOPMENT. We reviewed some of the most important works in the literature dealing with Parkinson's disease from any period of history and many of them were found to offer very faithful portrayals of the disease. Likewise, we also reviewed major films and TV series that sometimes offer the general public a close look at the vision and the impact of the disease on patients or their relatives. CONCLUSIONS. Literature, cinema and television have helped provide a realistic view of both Parkinson's disease and the related healthcare professionals, and there are many examples that portray the actual experiences of the patients themselves, while also highlighting the importance of healthcare and socio-familial care.

Title: La enfermedad de Parkinson en la literatura, el cine y la television.

Introduccion. En 1817, James Parkinson publico el que puede considerarse el primer tratado sobre la enfermedad que lleva su nombre y desde entonces existe prolija bibliografia cientifica sobre esta patologia. Pero tambien se ha representado la enfermedad en la literatura, el cine y la television, donde se ha otorgado una vision cercana a la sintomatologia, el tratamiento y el contexto sociofamiliar de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Abordar la aparicion de la enfermedad de Parkinson en la literatura, el cine y la television, asi como reflexionar sobre la imagen de la misma en dichos contextos. Desarrollo. Se han revisado algunas de las principales obras de la literatura de todos los tiempos que han abordado la enfermedad de Parkinson y se ha observado que en muchas de ellas se ofrece una vision muy fidedigna de la enfermedad. Del mismo modo, se han revisado las principales peliculas y series de television que, en ocasiones, son un reflejo cercano al publico general de la vision e impacto de la enfermedad sobre los pacientes o familiares. Conclusiones. La literatura, el cine y la television han contribuido a dar una vision realista de la enfermedad de Parkinson, asi como de los profesionales sanitarios relacionados y hay numerosos ejemplos en los que se muestran las vivencias de los propios enfermos y se resalta la importancia de la atencion sanitaria y sociofamiliar.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Drama / history
  • Europe
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Medicine in Literature
  • Motion Pictures / history*
  • Parkinson Disease* / history
  • Parkinson Disease* / psychology
  • Television / history*
  • United States