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Walther Spielmeyer

Walther Spielmeyer (April 23, 1879 - February 6, 1935) was a German neuropathologist who was a native of Dessau. He studied medicine at the University of Halle under Eduard Hitzig (1838-1907), and in 1906 went to Freiburg, where he was an assistant to Alfred Hoche (1865-1943). At the suggestion of Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926), he succeeded Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) as director of the Anatomisches Laboratorium der Psychiatrischen und Nervenklivik in Munich. At Munich he worked with Franz Nissl (1860-1919) and Felix Plaut (1877-1940).

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Spielmeyer is remembered for his research of peripheral nervous system injuries, and his specialized study of disturbed brain function caused by temporary circulation problems. Among his written works was the 1922 Histopathologie des Neurvensystems, an influential book concerning the histopathology of the nervous system. This book is known for its excellent illustrations.

Associated eponym:
Spielmeyer-Vogt disease: A congenital progressive disorder of lipid metabolism that usually presents itself around the age of five, and is characterized by cerebroretinal degeneration, dementia and early death. Named along with neurologist Heinrich Vogt (1875-1936).

Selected writings

Die Trypanosomenkrankheiten und ihre Beziehungen zu den syphilogenen Nervenkrankheiten (Trypanosomiasis and its correlation to syphilitic nerve disorders). Jena, Fischer, 1908.
Technik der mikroskopischen Untersuchung des Nervensystems (Microscopic studies of the Nervous System). Berlin, Springer, 1911; 4. Aufl., 1930.
Die progressive Paralyse. In: Handbuch der Neurologie, Bd. 3; Berlin, 1912.
Zur Klinik und Anatomie der Nerven-Schussverletzungen. Berlin, Springer, 1915.
Histopathologie des Nervensystems (Histopathology of the Nervous System). Erster Band: Allgemeiner Teil. Berlin, J. Springer, 1922.
Degeneration und Regeneration am peripherischen Nerven. Handbuch der normalen und pathologischen Physiologie (Degeneration and Regeneration of Peripheral Nervous System. Handbook of Normal and Pathological Physiology), Bd. 3; Berlin, 1929.
Die Anatomie der Psychosen. Handbuch der Geisteskrankheiten, (Anatomy of Psychosis, Manual of mental disorders) Bd. 11; Berlin, 1930.