Preface It is an exciting time for the discipline of cogni- and functional neuroimaging studies of both normal tive neuroscience.In the past 10 years we have individuals and neurological patients-aimed at witnessed an explosion in the development and understanding the neural mechanisms underlying advancement of methods that allow us to precisely the cognitive functions affected in each particular examine the neural mechanisms underlving cog clinical syndrome.In many chapters,there are con- nitive processes.functional magnetic resonance flicting data derived from different methodologies ing.for example,has provided markedly im- and the authors have tried to reconcile these differ- proved spatial and temporal resolution of brain ences.Often these attempts at understandine how structure and function.which has led to answers to these data may be converg ent,rather than diverg new questions,and the reexamination of old ques has shed new light on the cognitive mechanisms tions Howe ver.in my inion.the explosive im that functional neur oimaging has had on goal of preparing this book was not to simply may in s clin obehavioral 6 with brain da rom our the study of Such descriptions can be found in excellent window into the al and Thus. Nor was the oal to creating neuro The ouldhiehiehy ook is to con the st nts of the clin nical udy of on in s my hope that reac chapter the varie vill of cognitive neu Anjan Ch aptly at understan chapter on neglect synd ne: ction can be cause for al m if the udying the abnormal bra n.The neglect research was to es abl a unifi from patients with neurological and psy mprenen ve theory of clinic syndrom chiatric disorders provided the foundation for the However.when neglect is used to understand the discipline of cognitive neuroscience and should organization of spatial attention and representatior continue to be an important methodological tool then the behavioral heterogeneity is actually critical in future studies. to its use as an investigative tool.These words Each chapter in this book was written by a neu capture perfectly my intent for this book rologist who also practices cognitive neuroscience. Many neurologists in training and in practice Each chapter begins with a description of a case lack exposure to cognitive neuroscience.Similarly. report.often a patient seen by the author.and many newly trained cognitive neuroscientists describes the symptoms seen in this patient,laying lack exposure to the rich history of investigations the foundation for the cognitive processes to be of brain-behavior relationships in neurological explored.After the clinical description.the authors patients.I am optimistic that this book will serve have provided a historical background about what both groups well.It is a privilege to have assembled we have learned about these particular neurobe an outstanding group of neurologists and cognitive havioral syndromes through clinical observation neuroscientists to present their unique perspective and neuropsychological investigation.Each chapter on the physical basis of the human mind. then explores investigations using a variety of methods-single-unit electrophysiological record- ing in awake-behaving monkeys,behavioral studies of normal healthy subjects.event-related potentialIt is an exciting time for the discipline of cogni￾tive neuroscience. In the past 10 years we have witnessed an explosion in the development and advancement of methods that allow us to precisely examine the neural mechanisms underlying cog￾nitive processes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, for example, has provided markedly im￾proved spatial and temporal resolution of brain structure and function, which has led to answers to new questions, and the reexamination of old ques￾tions. However, in my opinion, the explosive impact that functional neuroimaging has had on cogni￾tive neuroscience may in some ways be responsible for moving us away from our roots—the study of patients with brain damage as a window into the functioning of the normal brain. Thus, my motiva￾tion for creating this book was to provide a collec￾tion of chapters that would highlight the interface between the study of patients with cognitive deficits and the study of cognition in normal indi￾viduals. It is my hope that reading these chapters will remind us as students of cognitive neuro￾science that research aimed at understanding the function of the normal brain can be guided by studying the abnormal brain. The incredible insight derived from patients with neurological and psy￾chiatric disorders provided the foundation for the discipline of cognitive neuroscience and should continue to be an important methodological tool in future studies. Each chapter in this book was written by a neu￾rologist who also practices cognitive neuroscience. Each chapter begins with a description of a case report, often a patient seen by the author, and describes the symptoms seen in this patient, laying the foundation for the cognitive processes to be explored. After the clinical description, the authors have provided a historical background about what we have learned about these particular neurobe￾havioral syndromes through clinical observation and neuropsychological investigation. Each chapter then explores investigations using a variety of methods—single-unit electrophysiological record￾ing in awake-behaving monkeys, behavioral studies of normal healthy subjects, event-related potential and functional neuroimaging studies of both normal individuals and neurological patients—aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the cognitive functions affected in each particular clinical syndrome. In many chapters, there are con- flicting data derived from different methodologies, and the authors have tried to reconcile these differ￾ences. Often these attempts at understanding how these data may be convergent, rather than divergent, has shed new light on the cognitive mechanisms being explored. The goal of preparing this book was not to simply describe clinical neurobehavioral syndromes. Such descriptions can be found in many excellent textbooks of behavioral and cognitive neurology. Nor was the goal to provide a primer in cognitive neuroscience. The goal of this book is to consider normal cognitive processes in the context of patients with cognitive deficits. Each of the clinical syndromes in this book is markedly heterogeneous and the range of symptoms varies widely across patients. As Anjan Chatterjee aptly states in his chapter on the neglect syndrome: “This hetero￾geneity would be cause for alarm if the goal of neglect research was to establish a unified and comprehensive theory of the clinical syndrome. However, when neglect is used to understand the organization of spatial attention and representation, then the behavioral heterogeneity is actually critical to its use as an investigative tool.” These words capture perfectly my intent for this book. Many neurologists in training and in practice lack exposure to cognitive neuroscience. Similarly, many newly trained cognitive neuroscientists lack exposure to the rich history of investigations of brain–behavior relationships in neurological patients. I am optimistic that this book will serve both groups well. It is a privilege to have assembled an outstanding group of neurologists and cognitive neuroscientists to present their unique perspective on the physical basis of the human mind. Preface