This study examined the postulate that training production of syntactically complex sentences results in generalization to less complex sentences that have processes in common with treated structures. Three agrammatic aphasic patients were trained to produce wh-movement structures, object clefts and/or object extracted who-questions, while generalization between these structures was tested. One NP-movement structure, passive sentences, also was tested for control purposes. Wh-movement occurs from the direct object position to specifier position in the complementizer phrase [SPEC, CP] for both wh-movement structures. In who-questions movement occurs in the matrix sentence, whereas, in object clefts movement occurs within an embedded relative clause, rendering them the most complex. Results showed robust generalization effects from object clefts to matrix who-question for 1 participant (D.L.); however, no generalization was noted from who-questions to object clefts for another (F.P.), and 1 participant (C.H.) showed acquisition of who-questions, but not object clefts, during the baseline condition without direct treatment. As expected, none of the participants showed improved production of passives. These findings supported those derived from our previous studies, indicating that generalization is enhanced not only when target structures are related along dimensions articulated by linguistic theory, but also when the direction of treatment is from more to less complex structures. The present findings also support proposals that projections of higher levels in the syntactic treatment are dependent on successful projection of lower levels. For our participants, training movement within CP in a lower (embedded) clause resulted in their ability to project to CP at higher levels. (JINS, 1998, 4, 661–674.)

Cerebral plasticity is perhaps the most fundamental principle of neuropsychology that is invoked, measured, analyzed, and targeted for treatment and experimental intervention each day by clinicians and scientists. Whether the focus is central nervous system development, recovery from brain damage, or age-associated changes and diseases, understanding cerebral plasticity is vital to scientific and clinical advances in human brain function and treatment of neurologic disorders in millions of people. Some of these advances have been succinctly summarized in two recent volumes. The first (McGaugh et al.) is a handsomely bound summary of basic research investigating brain mechanisms underlying learning and memory. The text resulted from a symposium featuring largely American and Mexican investigators who addressed cellular aspects of memory and how brain systems may mediate different types of memory. As John Garcia emphasizes in the opening chapter, such investigation is driven by the need to interrelate behavior and brain processes, bridging the barranca or chasm between behavioral and brain research. The fundamental role of learning and memory to behavior of all varieties, and the widespread involvement of cortical, limbic, basal ganglia, diencephalic, brain stem, and cerebellar structures in memory provides the massive playing field on which the ensuing behavioral, electrophysiologic, neurochemical, and molecular studies are described.

Charles G. Matthews will be missed for his enormous contributions to clinical neuropsychology, but even more for his wisdom, integrity, wit, humility, compassion, and eloquence. It was these personal characteristics which made Chuck an extraordinary, yet quiet leader. His influential role in the inception and continuing development of our major organizations earned him a position among our profession's “Founding Fathers.” He was president of Division 40 (1989), INS (1991), and ABCN (1991–1993), but his influence spanned decades. He quietly served behind the scenes as an advisor to presidents of these organizations who recognized his perspicacity and ability to see all sides of a given issue.

This article is a single-case investigation of phonological naming therapy. The individual involved had fluent jargon speech, with neologisms, verbal paraphasias, and paragrammatisms. The jargon was underpinned by a severe anomia. Content words were rarely accessed either in spontaneous speech or naming. Single word investigations highlighted some preserved skills. Auditory comprehension, at least for concrete words, was relatively intact and although nonwords could not be repeated, words could, and at a level which was far superior to naming. The patient also had some ability to respond to phonological cues. These results suggested that phonological representations were preserved and that there were some intact semantic abilities. It seemed that the naming disorder was primarily due to an inability to access phonology from semantics. Therapy took a phonological approach. The patient was encouraged to reflect upon the syllabic structure and first phoneme of pictured targets. Subsequently, she was required to use this partial phonological knowledge as a self-cue. It was hypothesized that this therapy might equip the subject with a self-cuing naming strategy. Posttherapy investigations of naming demonstrated dramatic improvements, which generalized to untreated items. However, there was little evidence that these were due to a self cuing strategy. Performance on phonological judgment and discrimination assessments, which required conscious phonological reflection, was unchanged, and there were no signs that the patient was self-cuing during naming. Reasons for these paradoxical results are discussed. (JINS, 1998, 4, 675–686.)

An acquaintance of mine once said that “scientists are like cattle. They graze the surface and move on to greener pastures.” The author of this jaded verdict is himself a successful scientist and a master grazer, so he should know. Hemispheric specialization used to be among the more inviting pastures, but no longer is. Most young researchers tend to search for other pastures.

Ohye, C., Kimura, M., & McKenzie, J.S. (1996). The basal ganglia V. Advances in behavioral biology. New York: Plenum. 519 pp., $139.50.

Solms, M. (1997). The neuropsychology of dreams. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 292 pp., $59.95.

Far too few books exist on the subject of neuropsychological rehabilitation beyond the cognitive rehabilitative approach. However, certain signs seem to suggest that this situation is about to change, such as the publication of this book.

This small (15.5 × 23.5 cm) book summarizes in a clear, well-organized format almost all of the most common conditions, features, and concerns of neurological practice. A chapter on the neurological examination precedes the next 14 chapters which cover (2) “Headache and Facial Pain”; (3) “Loss of Consciousness and Coma” (beginning with epilepsy and ending with sleep apnea, and coma); (4) “Cranial Nerve Dysfunction” (1 through 12 with special emphasis on oculomotor disorders); (5) “Vertigo, Dizziness and Ataxia” (including a brief discussion of psychiatric issues); (6) “Disorders of Higher Cortical Function” (just about all of them); (7) “Cerebrovascular Disease” (with largest sections on infarction, small vessel disease, and subarachnoid hemorrhage); (8) “Parkinson's Disease and Other Extrapyramidal Disorders”; (9) “Cerebral Tumour and Hydrocephalus”; (10) “Multiple Sclerosis” (more pages—12—on MS than any other condition); (11) “Central Nervous System Infection” (HIV is covered under the “Retrovirus” subsection); (12) “Motor Neuron Disease and Peripheral Nerve Disorders”; (13) “Spinal Cord Disorders”; (14) “Myasthenia Gravis and Muscle Disease”; and (15) “The Neurology of Cancer, Systemic Disease and Psychiatry.”

Imaging of the structure and function of the human brain has grown to an area with increasing impact on neuropsychological research as well as on the routine clinical evaluation of brain damaged patients. The scientific and popular literature is now flooded by increasingly more spectacular pictures of the brain. The images no longer only illustrate what is well known from earlier research but they do also sometimes provide information of importance for the further development of neuropsychological theories. The two volumes edited by Erin D. Bigler, Neuroimaging I and II, offer a possibility for neuropsychologists and other interested readers to get acquainted with the more recent developments in measurement technology and applications in basic science (Volume I) as well as in the clinic (Volume II). The authors of the 24 chapters are generally outstanding researchers, with impressive expertise within their fields of specialization.

This book gives a comprehensive account of the functional neuroanatomy of the brain. The first edition, Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, and Behavioral Neurology (1990), consisted of topics traditional for this subject matter, such as “The Cerebral Hemispheres,” “The Limbic System,” and “Neuroanatomy and Pathophysiology of Head Injury, Stroke, Neoplasm, and Abnormal Development.” With the addition of eleven new chapters, the second edition is impressive and unique in its range of topics. The new chapters cover evolution and ontogeny of the brain, social–emotional intelligence, and such unusual topics as the neurophysiology of repression and religious experiences, and the origins of life. One section is titled “The Birth of God and Limbic Hyperactivation.” The writing style is clear and compelling. Most topics are well referenced with scientific literature and include informative illustrations. More theoretical topics are presented with logical arguments.