University at Buffalo (UB)
Nicholas J. Silvestri, MD, is a neurologist and history buff who has studied neurological disorders of U.S. presidents and their often historic ramifications.
Neurologist Presents ‘Case Studies’ of US Presidents
Published February 13, 2015 This content is archived.
story based on news release by ellen goldbaum
U.S. presidents have experienced neurological conditions — including migraines, Alzheimer’s disease and strokes — that have at times significantly affected their ability to carry out official duties, says Nicholas J. Silvestri, MD, assistant professor of clinical neurology and American history buff.
His presentation, “Neurological Ailments of the Presidents,” helps put a human face on these diseases while offering several examples of the unusual role neurological disorders have played in U.S. presidential history, Silvestri says.
“Studying these cases reminds us that the diseases we, as neurologists, treat have implications beyond medicine and have even impacted history.”
Wilson’s Stroke Passed Off as ‘Nervous Breakdown’
Silvestri has a particular interest in how the neurological problems of American presidents have been explained to — or hidden from — the American public.
One of the most extreme examples of shielding debility from public view involves Woodrow Wilson, who suffered a severe stroke while in office.
“In October 1919, the stroke left him unable to move the entire left side of his body; his personality changed and he became more irritable and depressed,” says Silvestri.
Yet, “the president’s physician told his Cabinet that Wilson suffered ‘a nervous breakdown.’ In 1919, that was accepted.”
“Here we had a commander-in-chief who was so disabled by a stroke that he couldn’t properly govern, and the public didn’t even know,” Silvestri says. “For a few months, Wilson’s wife and his physician ran the country!”
The following February, Wilson’s Cabinet and the public were finally notified.
It wasn’t until 1967 that an amendment to the Constitution passed allowing the vice president to take control if a president is unable to discharge his duties, Silvestri explains.
FDR Remained Powerful, Effective
“The case of Franklin Delano Roosevelt demonstrates what people can do despite serious neurological problems,” Silvestri says.
“At age 39, Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio — although it was quite possible he was suffering from Guillain–Barré syndrome — yet very few people knew.”
“He was photographed standing — never in a wheelchair — even though he was wearing leg braces that weighed over 10 pounds.”
Roosevelt also may have suffered from what were then called complex partial seizures, Silvestri adds. During these episodes, he would lose his train of thought and stare blankly.
Despite these challenges, “Roosevelt was a really effective and powerful leader during a troubled time in our history,” says Silvestri. He died from an intracerebral hemorrhage, a massive stroke, early in his fourth presidential term.
Multiple Maladies Affect Several Presidents
Neurological conditions have affected several other U.S. presidents.
Warren Harding and Gerald Ford also died from strokes.
It is believed James Madison suffered from epilepsy because he was known to experience spells that left him temporarily paralyzed.
Several presidents likely suffered from migraines, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.
Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years after he left office and survived another 10 years.
Silvestri shared his insights at a Department of Neurology Grand Rounds on Feb. 12 — Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.