[Erwin Gustav Niessl von Mayendorf and his impact on the conceptional history of aphasia]. / Der Beitrag von Erwin Gustav Niessl von Mayendorf zur Konzeptgeschichte der Aphasie.

Throughout his life Erwin Gustav Niessl von Mayendorf (1873 - 1943) dealt with aphasia, yet so far his studies have been neglected in the historiography of the illness. Niessl followed a unique approach which stood in contrast to both theories that dominated discussion in the first half of the 20th century - locationalism and antilocationalism. This may help explain why he fell prey to oblivion. Yet in fact it is worthwhile remembering his studies, in particular since they might enrich present-day discussions. Although supporting the notion that centres where signals and stimuli are perceived could be located in the brain, he strongly rejected the localisation of cognitive processes. For him these were the result of association. Furthermore Niessl stressed the role of the non-dominant and hence untrained right hemisphere for aphasic symptoms standing in to replace the injured or destroyed left one - a fact that now may be found from recently published fMRI trials.