Most individuals with brain damage experience a curtailment or loss of lifestyle without rehabilitation. Improved methods and appropriately timed medical interventions now make it possible for more individuals to survive brain insults and to be assisted by rehabilitation neuropsychologists in achieving renewed commitment to life. Damage to the brain -- the organ of human emotions and cognition -- reduces psychological functioning and realistic adaptation, and the patient and his/her family are often encapsulated in the time prior to injury. To regain part or most of the lifestyle lost, an honest, dedicated, and realistic approach is required. Neuropsychological rehabilitation can provide tools for this task, provided that the most comprehensive, elaborate and knowledge-based methods are integrated in the training, and provided that knowledge from many disciplines and from community environments and family is encompassed.
In the present book knowledge representing the development of neuropsychological rehabilitation during the past five years is collected from a conference titled "Progress in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation." The chapters are written by professionals who were invited to share their experiences from different areas within the field because of their expertise with processes involved in neuropsychological rehabilitation. After a historical review, the chapters follow a visible sequence from biology to neuropsychology and neuropharmacology. Experts discuss the most advanced medical knowledge of the effect of injury on states of the organism. The second part of the book is dedicated to the outcome and the economics of rehabilitation as well as plans for the future. Finally, a panel discussion addresses the overall concept: Is rehabilitation worthwhile and ethical? The reactions -- influenced by the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge -- shed light on the essence and practice of today's neurorehabilitation.

This title captures the stories behind the work of the clinicians and scholars who have contributed significantly to neuropsychology's development.

Although neuropsychology is little more than half a century old, the field has flourished and has had a profound impact on our understanding of the brain and our assessment and treatment of brain disorders. The start of a new century is an opportune time to reflect on the origins and future of this expanding field. Pathways to Prominence captures the stories behind the work of the clinicians and scholars who have contributed significantly to neuropsychology's development.
Uniquely, this book goes beyond a discussion of ideas and discoveries to explore the people and the career paths they have taken. The book is divided into three major sections. Part I reviews the lives and work of key figures such as Nelson Butters, Aleksandr Luria, and Roger Sperry. In Part II a number of pioneers in the field reflect on the body of their work in the context of their personal development and professional pathways. The role of social and cultural factors, scientific and technological advances, and serendipity becomes apparent in many of these chapters. A final section focuses on the future of neuropsychology both as a profession and as a science.
While it would be impossible to provide an exhaustive review of the field in a single volume, Pathways to Prominence will provide twenty-first century scholars and clinicians with insight and inspiration in the reflections of the generation that preceded them.

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In early 1985 a grant from the Egmont Foundation made the establishment of the Center for Rehabilitation of Brain Damage in copenhagen possible. This meant the realization of a plan with which Anne-Lise Christensen had been occupied for years. Through her work in psychiatric and neurosurgical wards she had acquired a deep insight in the problems of the brain damage, and through visits to the leading centers within the field of brain damage rehabilitation she had become inti mately acquainted with the most modern trends in research and practice which was insufficiently devel oped in Denmark. When finally the possibility of establishing the center came closer, it was obvious that Anne-Lise Christensen would be the right person to organize this institution and to become its leader. Two years later, when the building-up of the Center had been finished and the work was running smoothly, it was felt natural to mark this accomplish ment by the arrangement of an international conference on rehabilitation of brain damage. On this occasion, a number of leading specialists gave lectures on many different aspects of the topic. This provided great incentives for those interested in the field in Den mark. The present volume, containing the lectures from the conference, can also be regarded as a tribute to Anne-Lise Christensen and her colleagues, in recogni tion of their accomplishments within the field of neuropsychology and rehabilitation of the brain dam aged."

DAVID W. ELLIS AND ANNE-LISE CHRISTENSEN 1 A BRIEF OVERVIEW In the past, most people who sustained catastrophic brain injury died. However, over the past several decades, sophisticated medical diagnostic techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with advances in emergency trauma procedures and neurosurgical pro cedures (e. g., intracranial pressure monitoring), have dramatically increased the survival rates for people who have survived such trauma. At the same time, because of population growth, the number of victims of brain trauma (primarily automobile accidents) has also risen 1]. As a result of their injuries, many of these people have developed severe disabilities that affect their lives and the lives of everyone around them. For those who survive, and their families, mere survival is not enough. Attention must be paid to the quality of their lives after the traumatic event. During the past 15 years, there has been an increasing focus on the develop ment of treatment techniques for brain injuries. Although the principal focus of this text is on the neuropsychological (i. e., neurological and psychological) aspects of treatment-both theory and technique-the book is also directed towards the broad variety of issues that affect survivors, their families, health care professionals, and the social milieu."

This volume provides comprehensive international coverage of neuropsyc hological rehabilitation. It contains scientific discussions of dynami c brain changes (genetics, structure, physiology and hormones) plastic ity of the central nervous system, functional reorganization and brain repair in response to treatment in all stages. Also emphasized is acu te care of early and precise diagnostics, and later theories and princ iples guiding rehabilitative treatment. This volume is intended for cl inicians, professionals and students in areas of neuropsychology, heal th psychology, rehabilitation, behavioral neurology, occupational and physical therapy.

DAVID W. ELLIS AND ANNE-LISE CHRISTENSEN 1 A BRIEF OVERVIEW In the past, most people who sustained catastrophic brain injury died. However, over the past several decades, sophisticated medical diagnostic techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with advances in emergency trauma procedures and neurosurgical pro cedures (e. g., intracranial pressure monitoring), have dramatically increased the survival rates for people who have survived such trauma. At the same time, because of population growth, the number of victims of brain trauma (primarily automobile accidents) has also risen 1]. As a result of their injuries, many of these people have developed severe disabilities that affect their lives and the lives of everyone around them. For those who survive, and their families, mere survival is not enough. Attention must be paid to the quality of their lives after the traumatic event. During the past 15 years, there has been an increasing focus on the develop ment of treatment techniques for brain injuries. Although the principal focus of this text is on the neuropsychological (i. e., neurological and psychological) aspects of treatment-both theory and technique-the book is also directed towards the broad variety of issues that affect survivors, their families, health care professionals, and the social milieu."

In early 1985 a grant from the Egmont Foundation made the establishment of the Center for Rehabilitation of Brain Damage in copenhagen possible. This meant the realization of a plan with which Anne-Lise Christensen had been occupied for years. Through her work in psychiatric and neurosurgical wards she had acquired a deep insight in the problems of the brain damage, and through visits to the leading centers within the field of brain damage rehabilitation she had become inti mately acquainted with the most modern trends in research and practice which was insufficiently devel oped in Denmark. When finally the possibility of establishing the center came closer, it was obvious that Anne-Lise Christensen would be the right person to organize this institution and to become its leader. Two years later, when the building-up of the Center had been finished and the work was running smoothly, it was felt natural to mark this accomplish ment by the arrangement of an international conference on rehabilitation of brain damage. On this occasion, a number of leading specialists gave lectures on many different aspects of the topic. This provided great incentives for those interested in the field in Den mark. The present volume, containing the lectures from the conference, can also be regarded as a tribute to Anne-Lise Christensen and her colleagues, in recogni tion of their accomplishments within the field of neuropsychology and rehabilitation of the brain dam aged."