The Italian Paleopathology Project

• Dr. Francesco Galassi (PI)
• Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Frank Rühli (Senior Supervisor)
• KD Dr. med. Thomas Böni (Senior Supervisor)

This project aims to analyse material of paleopathological relevance from the Italian Peninsula using several (mainly non-invasive) methodologies and approaches. The investigation includes human skeletal remains, mummies, artistic representations and literary sources and is performed as part of a collaboration with Italian colleagues and research groups.

To reassess and better describe the morphology and historical presentation of disease throughout history in the Italian Peninsula.

The history of medical, anatomical and anthropological sciences and of evolutionary thought in Italy.

• Galassi, Francesco M; Habicht Michael E; Rühli, Frank J. Dante Alighieri’s Narcolepsy (2016). Lancet Neurology, 15(3):245.
• Galassi, FM; Gruppioni, G; Ruggeri, A; Bianucci, R; Rühli, FJ. Luigi Calori (1807 – 1896). Journal of Neurology. Epub ahead of print.
• Galassi, Francesco M; Rühli, Frank J (2015). A case of temporal arteritis in Filippino Lippi's (1459-1504) Saint Frediano? Clinical Rheumatology:Epub ahead of print.
• Gelsi, Rossella; Ruggeri, Alessandro; Petti, Kevin; Ashrafian, Hutan; Keding, Logan;Fini, Filippo; Rühli, Frank J; Galassi, Francesco M (2015). The mermaid models of the Bologna wax collection. HAPS EDucator Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, 20(1):56-58.
• Armocida, Emanuele; Böni, Thomas; Rühli, Frank J; Galassi, Francesco M (2015). Does acromegaly suffice to explain the origin of Pulcinella? A novel interpretation.European Journal of Internal Medicine. Epub ahead of print.
• Galassi, F M; Rühli, F J (2015). Depiction of differential etiologies of dwarfism by Il Veronese (1528-1588). Journal of Endocrinological Investigation:Epub ahead of print.
• Galassi FM, Bianucci R, Gorini G, Paganotti GM, Habicht ME, Rühli FJ. The sudden death of Alaric I (c. 370-410AD), the vanquisher of Rome: A tale of malaria and lacking immunity. Eur J Intern Med. 2016 Mar 9.
• Galassi FM, Habicht ME, Rühli FJ. Dante Alighieri's narcolepsy. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):245. 

• Discovery News (February 2016)
• El Pais (January 2016)
• The Telegraph (November 2015)
• The Local (November 2015)