Horton's disease in Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564): the origin of his neurological debilitations in old age.

OLD age; BRONZE sculpture; TEMPORAL arteries; SYMPTOMS; HUMAN anatomy; SENSATION seeking; GIANT cell arteritis; TAKAYASU arteritis

Background : Based on portraits of the time, this description provides novel evidence that the celebrated Renaissance artist and genius of human anatomy, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564), suffered from a vascular disorder known as giant cell arteritis or Horton's disease. Methods: Two portraits and a bronze sculpture produced between 1535 and the second half of the sixteenth century, in which Michelangelo was represented at over 60 years of age, reveal dilation of his superficial temporal artery consistent with that found in patients with Horton's disease or even with chronic arteriosclerosis. In addition, specialized authors indicate Michelangelo showed some of the neurological symptoms of this disease (blindness in old age, depression, and fever). Results: These findings, at least in part, may explain the origin of the neurological debilitations Michelangelo faced in old age and that may even have contributed to his death. Conclusion: This description can serve as an important tool for analyzing his state of health during this period of his life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]