The concept of attention in academic psychology has been treated with varying degrees of importance over the years. From playing a key role in the 19th century, it was discarded in the first half of the 20th century, as clinical psychologists claimed it was superfluous to the essential subconscious processes of the mind, and experimental psychologists thought it was not a scientific term. Applied Neuropsychology of Attention aims to review the considerable developments in the field of attention over the last 20 years as it makes its comeback. This collection of essays forms a comprehensive overview of this crucial component of human cognitive function. The book begins with an explanation of the essential theoretical concepts and definitions. Aspects of diagnosis are then discussed as the assessment and impairments of attention are reviewed in normal ageing and in specific neurological categories. Victims of brain injury and patients with cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative diseases are considered. A critical analysis of existing practices in cognitive rehabilitation is given and a review of the techniques and methodologies used for treating attentional disturbances brings the book to a conclusion. Leclercq and Zimmermann have compiled a book of cutting-edge research which provides an effective framework to detect, analyse and understand the nature of attention deficit. The book will be invaluable to clinicians, mental health specialists and all academic psychologists in the field.

In this book we are trying to illuminate the persistent and nag ging questions of how mind, life, and the essence of being relate to brain mechanisms. We do that not because we have a commit ment to bear witness to the boring issue of reductionism but be cause we want to know more about what it's all about. How, in deed, does the brain work? How does it allow us to love, hate, see, cry, suffer, and ultimately understand Kepler's laws? We try to uncover clues to these staggering questions by con sidering the results of our studies on the bisected brain. Several years back, one of us wrote a book with that title, and the ap proach was to describe how brain and behavior are affected when one takes the brain apart. In the present book, we are ready to put it back together, and go beyond, for we feel that split-brain studies are now at the point of contributing to an understanding of the workings of the integrated mind. We are grateful to Dr. Donald Wilson of the Dartmouth Medi cal School for allowing us to test his patients. We would also like to thank our past and present colleagues, including Richard Naka mura, Gail Risse, Pamela Greenwood, Andy Francis, Andrea El berger, Nick Brecha, Lynn Bengston, and Sally Springer, who have been involved in various facets of the experimental studies on the bisected brain described in this book."

This volume of the Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology focuses on molecular events involved in synapse formation, synaptic plasticity and ongoing neural activity. The volume explores axonal growth cones, synapse development, and mechanisms of LTP and LTD, and calcium dynamics. Particular attention is given to function and trafficking of membrane proteins including various ion channels, aquaporines, gap junctions.

This book is a comprehensive review of the main acquired disorders of reading: hemianopic, pure and central alexia. The authors review the diagnostic criteria for each of the different types of disorder, and the efficacy of the therapeutic studies that have attempted to remediate them. The different theoretical models of adult reading, which largely rest on how the reading system responds to injury, are also discussed and evaluated. Focal brain injury caused by stroke and brain tumors are discussed in depth as are the effects of dementia on reading.

This book starts with a chapter on normal reading, followed by chapters on hemianopic alexia, pure alexia and central alexia, each structured in the same way, with: a description of the condition; a historical review of cases to date; psychophysics; consideration of the causative lesions; evidence from functional imaging studies on patients and, most importantly, a review of the evidence base for treating each condition. Finally, there is a chapter on how patient data has informed how we think about reading.

"Alexia: Diagnosis, Treatment and Theory" is aimed at neuropsychologists (both experimental and clinical), neurologists, speech therapists and others who deal with patients whose reading has been affected by an acquired brain injury, as well as interested students studying language disorders.

Raymond M. Bergner offers the first comprehensive reference to address the highly prevalent and debilitating forms of self-criticism. This resource features an extensive array of strategies for assessing these patterns as well as the factors maintaining them. In addition, the volume is complete with therapeutic intervention strategies to help patients abandon pathological self-critical practices. The author desribes a therapeutic relationship that greatly enchances the efficacy of the interventions mentioned throughout the book.

Orexin/hypocretin research began in 1998, as a result of the discovery of a new hypothalamic neuropeptide. In 1999, it was found that mutations in the orexin/ hypocretin-related genes caused a sleep disorder (narcolepsy) in dogs and mice. These findings were soon followed by the discoveries of orexin/hypocretin ligand deficiency in human narcolepsy. The finding of the major pathophysiological mechanisms of human narcolepsy resulted in its reclassification as a neurological, not a psychiatric, disorder. The - portance of early diagnosis and initiation of treatment for human narcolepsy has been repeatedly emphasized because the disease typically starts around puberty (when social and school influences become important). Orexin/hypocretin de- ciency in narcolepsy subjects can be detected clinically in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) orexin/hypocretin measures (low CSF orexin/hypocretin levels are strongly asso- ated with narcolepsy-cataplexy among various neurologic and sleep disorders). Thus, the CSF orexin/hypocretin measurements are expected to be included as a diagnostic test for narcolepsy-cataplexy in the second revision of international di- nostic criteria (ICSD). This positive diagnostic test is very useful for establishing an early diagnosis for narcolepsy-cataplexy, and many patients will likely receive im- diate benefits. Cerebrospinal orexin/hypocretin measurements are also informative for the nosological classification of hypersomnia. Because orexin/hypocretin de- ciency is observed in most human narcolepsy-cataplexy, orexin/hypocretin repla- ment therapy is now a promising new choice for the treatment of human narcolepsy, and research in this area is actively in progress.

This book presents the work on aphasia coming out of the Institute for Aphasia and Stroke in Norway during its 10 years of existence. Rather than reviewing previously presented work, it was my desire to give a unified analysis and discussion of our accumulated data. The empirical basis for the analysis is a fairly large group (249 patients) investigated with a standard, comprehensive set of procedures. Tests of language functions must be developed anew for each language, but comparison of my findings with other recent compre hensive studies of aphasia is faciliated by close parallels in test meth ods (Chapter 2). The classification system used is currently the most accepted neurological system, but I have operationalized it for research purposes (Chapter 3). The analyses presented are based on the view that aphasia is an aspect of a multidimensional disturbance of brain function. Find ings of associated disturbances and variations in the aphasic condition over time have been dismissed by some as irrelevant to the study of aphasia as a language deficit. My view is that this rich and complex set of findings gives important clues to the organization of brain functions in humans. I present analyses of the relationship of aphasia to neuropsychological disorders in conceptual organization, memory, visuospatial abilities and apraxia (Chapters 4, 5, and 6), and I study the variations with time of the aphasic condition (Chapter 8)."

Neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, alcoholism, substance abuse and others are some of the most debilitating illnesses worldwide characterized by the complexity of causes, and lacking the laboratory tests that may promote diagnostic and prognostic procedures. Recent advances in neuroscience, genomic, genetic, proteomic and metabolomic knowledge and technologies have opened the way to searching biomarkers and endophenotypes, which may offer powerful and exciting opportunities to understand the etiology and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders. The challenge now is to translate these advances into meaningful diagnostic and therapeutic advances.

This book offers a broad synthesis of the current knowledge about diverse topics of the biomarker and endophenotype strategies in neuropsychiatry. The book is organized into four interconnected volumes: Neuropsychological Endophenotypes and Biomarkers (with overview of methodological issues of the biomarker and endophenotype approaches in neuropsychiatry and some technological advances), Neuroanatomical and Neuroimaging Endophenotypes and Biomarkers, Metabolic and Peripheral Biomarkers and Molecular Genetic and Genomic Markers . The contributors are internationally and nationally recognized researchers and experts from 16 countries.

This four-volume handbook is intended for a broad spectrum of readers including neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neurologists, endocrinologists, pharmacologists, clinical psychologists, general practitioners, geriatricians, health care providers in the field of neurology and mental health interested in trends that have crystallized in the last decade, and trends that can be expected to further evolve in the coming years. It is hoped that this book will also be a useful resource for the teaching of psychiatry, neurology, psychology and mental health. "

Morphological, physiological and pathological evidence demonstrates that ner- vous and immune systems interact not only in maintaining brain homeostasis, but also in causing neurological diseases. The studyofthese interactions repre- sents the basis on which neuroimmunologyhas grown during the years. At pre- sent, several neurological diseases are recognized to be caused by a derange- ment of the immune system in either its regulatory or effector functions. The main scope ofthis book, to discuss how an unbalanced immune system maylead to immune-mediated neurological diseases, is achieved in three parts. The first part provides an overview on how the immune system works. This is propaedeutical to understanding interactions between the immune and ner- vous systems, which are discussed in the second part. The third part of the book focuses on one particular area of neuroimmunology, the immune disor- ders leading to the damage of central and peripheral myelin. Given the opportunity to review first the immune system in itself and then how it operates during immune-mediated demyelinating disorders, we have tried to provide the reader with a basis for clearly understanding how interac- tions between the immune and nervous systems can be protective or pathoge- nic. This knowledge is a prerequisite for a rationale immune intervention tar- geting these disorders.

Comprehensive and state of the art, the second edition of Pharmacotherapy of Depression offers major revisions of every chapter and the addition of new chapters by expert contributors. The first chapter reviews the neurobiology of depression, which lays the groundwork for understanding the mechanisms of action of antidepressants. In the next chapter, a review of the general principles guiding the diagnosis and medication treatment of unipolar depression is provided. The clinical pharmacology of antidepressants is reviewed in some detail, supplemented by tables that provide information on dosing, indications, and metabolism. Augmentation strategies are reviewed, including the use of non-traditional agents. The chapters that follow next address the use of antidepressants in special populations, such as the elderly and depressed individuals with psychosis, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and post traumatic stress disorder. The complex issues involving the diagnosis and treatment of depression during pregnancy is thoroughly reviewed in Chapter 8 and provides a synthesis of the scientific literature in the area, one that is noted for contradictory and controversial findings, as well as guidelines for prescribing. The next chapter then provides an overview of the treatment of depression in the pediatric population, highlighting clinical concerns such as suicide risk. The book concludes with two chapters at the interface of medicine and psychiatry in the treatment of mood disorders: managing depression in primary care settings and depression associated with medical illnesses. The outstanding clinician-scientists who have contributed to this volume are all leaders in their fields and represent a broad spectrum of renowned institutions. A timely contribution to the literature, The Pharmacotherapy of Depression, Second Edition, offers busy clinicians from many disciplines a strong scientific foundation that seamlessly transitions into practical recommendations for clinical practice. The result is another gold-standard guide to the safe and effective use of the latest antidepressant medications.

Author Gyorgy Adam maintains there is a type of sensory system active within the internal organs that appears to be, in some measure, independent of the traditional senses. Variously termed viscerosensory perception, internal perception, or internal cognition, this system operates largely outside of consciousness. Adam employs the extensive data he has gathered over many years to demonstrate how "hidden" internal signals originating in the alimentary tract, the cardiovascular system, and the kidneys may influence emotional states. Visceral Perception is the only comprehensive treatment of this elusive subject.

This book is a study of the simultaneous physiological recordings and psychoanalytic observations when emotional/psychological responses to external stimuli occur "pari passu" with observed physiological changes. It is the culmination of the author's psychiatric and psychoanalytic work with patients over fifty years, and is based on the simple premise that physiological measurements cannot describe the mind and the mind cannot describe physiological processes. In order for us to have a significant knowledge of the object, we need both, and the authors argue that medical specialists and health professionals (doctors, nurses, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, etc.) need to be trained to adopt a Complementary approach to patients. Without a Complementary approach, patients are neglected. The complex relationship between mind and body offers vital clues to the individual s condition, and only by considering patients both physically and mentally can doctors and psychoanalysts make precise and competent judgements."

The brief, successful Gulf War resulted in few casualties, but there were still recognizable "pockets of trauma." This study examines the Mental Health Services available in the theater of operations, the preparations made to train the soldiers for the stress of combat, and details of how they coped with the experience of combat. It assesses the Gulf War in terms of mental health. Some attention is also given to the phenomenon named "Gulf War Syndrome." The authors conclude that United States Military Forces were not prepared for the mental health requirements of combat.

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that hinders the learning of literacy skills. This problem with managing verbal codes in memory is neurologically based and tends to run in families. Other symbolic systems, such as mathematics and musical notation, can also be affected. Dyslexia can occur at any level of intellectual ability. It can accompany, but is not a result of, lack of motivation, emotional disturbance, sensory impairment or meagre opportunities. The effects of dyslexia can be alleviated by skilled specialist teaching and committed learning. Moreover many dyslexic people have visual and spatial abilities which enable them to be successful in a wide range of careers. The appearance of this book .. is to be welcomed. It represents a full statement of the best practice to be found in the many kinds of intervention that are conducted with dyslexic students. It addresses some fundamental questions that are seldom asked and much of what the skilled teacher knows and does is set down here in print for the first time. From the Preface: Collectively, the chapters provide a synthesis of current practice focusing on how to assess and treat the symptoms of dyslexia, guided by a proper understanding of the cognitive and linguistic weaknesses that underpin the condition. The book makes clear that the backbone of intervention for dyslexia is a highly structured multisensory approach that teaches reading and spelling skills at the appropriate rate. However, it is also explicit in pointing out that such a programme must be delivered with due attention to individual differences in the other cognitive skills that contribute to literacy development, and take account of the learner's style, interests and not least their confidence and self-esteem. This book provides an important resource for teachers who wish to become competent in the skills required for the assessment, teaching, supporting and counselling of dyslexic people in a variety of settings. It promises to reach many teachers and in turn, their students and families'. Margaret J. Snowling, University of York, UK

This is a true story about the life of Irwin and Catherine Deems and where the turns have taken them. Alzheimer's Disease Up Close and Personal, from a caregivers perspective, is what this book is all about. This is an interesting story, it is a love story, it is a happy story, and it is a sad story. This wonderful gentleman came into Catherine's life at just the right time. She had been recently divorced and you all know that is no fun. Irwin and Catherine were married within a year. Starting in Maryland, continuing to Europe the happy couple share many things; Irwin adjusting to a teenage boy, Catherine's son, and finds himself suddenly taking care of them both when Catherine falls very ill. After a long recovery, they find themselves whisked to Europe for Catherine's work when noticeable changes begin to show in Irwin's behavior. The diagnosis was Alzheimers. Back in Maryland, Catherine finds herself the caregiver this time, coping with the disease that robs her precious husband's mind.

Sleep disturbance is extremely common in the various disorders of development, be they physical or psychological in nature. It adds significantly to the burden of care but is a neglected topic and there is no single source of information to guide practice and management. In this book an international team of experts provides for the first time an integrated, comprehensive and up-to-date review of the nature and causes of sleep disorders, describing the special assessment and management considerations for each of the different developmental disorders. The book will be essential reading for all professionals working in the area of developmental disorders, and will also be of considerable interest to teachers, social workers and parents.

The American Psychological Association published a revision of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct in 2002.This text, a companion to the 2002 text Ethical Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology by Bush and Drexler, presents the reader with common ethical challenges in neuropsychology. This text examines the differences between the 1992 and 2002 APA Ethics Codes as they relate to neuropsychological activities. The authors present cases and discuss ethical issues related to neuropsychological practice with a variety of patient populations and in a variety of clinical settings. In addition, ethical issues in neuropsychological research and test development are examined. The text also includes chapters on emerging and particularly challenging aspects of neuropsychological practice, such as the assessment of response validity, and the use of information technology and telecommunications. Through the use of case illustrations, the authors examine ethical issues in neuropsychology and the new Ethics Code, offering a practical approach for understanding and promoting ethical neuropsychological practice.

The field of the excitatory amino acids was born when L-glutamate and L-aspartate were found to be potent convulsants (Hayashi, 1954), and were subsequently found to excite neurons directly (Curtis, Phillis, and Watkins, 1959). Although these studies initiated the hypothesis of glutamate-mediated neurotransmission, it was noted that the ubiquitous actions of glutamate could also reflect a general, nonspecific property of glutamate on neuronal mem branes. It was not until 20 years later that pharmacological, physiological, and biochemical studies provided convincing evidence for a neurotransmitter role for glutamate in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). With the critical demonstration that the pharmacologically defined glutamate receptors mediate synaptic currents, glutamate rapidly became widely accepted as a majorneurotransmitter by the mid-1980s. This breakthrough, together with the simultaneous findings that glutamate receptors are involved in many essential, as well as pathological, processes in the CNS, instantly transformed the study of glutamate receptors into one of the fastest-growing and most exciting areas of neuroscience. With the cloning of numerous ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits over the last six years, the field has experienced another dramatic acceleration in the understanding of receptor action and in providing the first clear insights into the molecular bases underlying the wealth of pharmacological and physiological data on these receptors."

This book introduces the current concepts of molecular mechanisms in synaptic plasticity and provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research technology used to investigate the molecular dynamics of the synapses. It explores current concepts on activity-dependent remodeling of the synaptic cytoskeleton and presents the latest ideas on the different forms of plasticity in synapses and dendrites. Synaptic Plasticity in Health and Disease not only supplies readers with extensive knowledge on the latest developments in research, but also with important information on clinical and applied aspects. Changes in spine synapses in different brain disease states, so-called synaptopathies, are explained and described by experts in the field. By outlining basic research findings as well as physiological and pathophysiological impacts on synaptic plasticity, the book represents an essential state-of-the-art work for scientists in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and the neurosciences, as well as for doctors in neurology and psychiatry alike.

Integrates basic research and practical clinical information on the neuropsychology of epilepsy under one cover. Provides inside knowledge on how neuropsychological assessments are performed and evaluated. A comprehensive reference that will serve as a clinical resource for working with epilepsy patients. Epilepsy is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 1% of the general population. Its behavioral effects on cognition and memory can be as debilitating as the physical aspects caused by ongoing seizures. This book is intended primarily for clinical neuropsychologists who encounter patients with epilepsy, either through employment in academic medical centers or in general practice. The book is of particular value to those working in a comprehensive epilepsy center, as the volume provides extensive coverage of the many clinical procedures performed in that setting. Procedures reviewed in this volume include neuropsychological testing, the Wada procedures, and brain mapping. Chapters include descriptions of the purpose of these procedures, reviews of the recent literature, clinical vignettes, in addition to concrete recommendations on how to actually conduct the procedures. Many chapters provide examples of test forms and stimuli useful for conducting some of the procedures reviewed in this book. Neurologists and pediatricians will also find this book to be helpful, as many medical practitioners consider the activities of clinical neuropsychologists working in their settings to be somewhat mysterious. This book makes the details of neuropsychological practice in an epilepsy setting more accessible than what has been present in prior literature. Content Level Research Keywords Brain mapping - Children with epilepsy - Cognitive remediation - Epilepsy - Epilepsy in children - FMRI - MEG - Movement disorder - Neuropsychological testing - Refractory seizure - Seizure - Seizure disorder - Wada test Related subjects Neurology - Ne