Kenneth M. Heilman - Böcker

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are commonly viewed as the first and second most common types of dementia, respectively. The traditional paradigm has been to view and treat each illness as a separate entity with a separate pathophysiology. However, clinical and pathological studies suggest that the boundary separating AD and VaD, as well as their mild cognitive impairment (MCI) analogs, is not well defined. Thus, there is increased interest in viewing these diseases along a spectrum because of the significant overlap in the characterization and diagnosis of AD, VaD, and MCI. The focus of this edited volume is to examine how AD and VaD, as well as their MCI analogs, are best viewed as a heterogeneous, intersecting, if not a continuous disease state rather than separate, distinct entities. This book examines this approach by providing empirically based evidence, reviews of the literature, and chapters by key leaders in the field and will be of interest to clinical neuropsychologists and anyone studying or treating dementia in its many forms.

Most of what has been learned about how the brain mediates behaviour comes from experiments of nature where a stroke or other damage to the brain produces changes in a person's behaviour. In Matter of Mind, one of the leading figures in behavioural and cognitive neurology uses patient vignettes and other examples from his rich professional life to show just how much knowledge about brain functions such as reading, writing, language, control of emotions, skilled movement, perception, attention, and motiviation has been gained from the study of patients with diseases of or damage to the brain. No knowledge of neurology or neuroscience is required to understand the book, which is intended for neurological patients and their families. It will also be of interest to professionals who study the brain or treat patients with brain damage including neuropsychologists, neurologists, neuroscientists, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and their students and trainees.

Academic interest in the non-scientific parts of good medical practice continues to grow as evidenced by the increasing number of undergraduate and trainee-level courses on doctor-patient communication, ethics and professionalism. Lessons in Caring provides an introduction for students and trainees to fundamental but unquantifiable clinical skills.

This important subject of Diagnosis of and Treatment for Neurobehavioral manifestations of neurologic disease is directed by three leaders of this field - Dr. Alizeza Minagar, Dr. Glen Finney, and Dr. Kenneth Heilman. Topics include: Neurobehavioral testing for mental status; Behavioral neurology of vascular neurology; Alzheimer's disease; Frontotemporal dementia; Traumatic brain injury; Parkinsonian Syndromes (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal disease, multisystem atrophy); Behavioral neurology of multiple sclerosis and autoimmune encephalopathies; Infectious Diseases (Neuro-AIDS, Neurosyphilis, HSV); Neurobehavioral aspects of systemic disease; Neurobehavioral aspects of epilepsy; Behavioral neurology aspects of nutritional deficiencies; Neurobehavioral aspects of mitochondrial disease; and Medicinal-induced behavioral disorders.

The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a perspective on apraxia that considers a link between the pathology of apraxia and normal motor skill. In addition, it is the intention of the authors to provide information that is theoretically interesting as well as clinically applicable. The book is a collection of papers by various authors working in the area of apraxia, almost exclusively with limb aparaxia specifically. Beginning with Hugo Liepman's work of the late 19th century, a cognitive neuropsychological model of limb apraxia is reviewed, the use of new technologies that are informative about the mechanisms of limb praxis are discussed, and issues related to research as well as clinical assessment/management of the disorder are provided. While acquired limb apraxia is the focus of the book, there are also chapters on handedness, developmental apraxia of speech, and disorders of handwriting.

This book describes the changes in the brain and in cognitive functions that occur with aging in the absence of a neurological, psychiatric, or medical disease. It discusses aging-related changes in many brain functions, including memory, language, sensory perception, motor function, creativity, attention, executive functions, emotions and mood. The neural mechanisms that may account for specific aging-related changes in cognition, perception and behavior are explored, as well as the means by which aging-related cognitive decrements can be managed and possibly ameliorated. Consequently, this book will be of value to clinicians, including neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, primary care physicians, psychologists and speech-language pathologists. In addition, researchers and graduate students who want to learn about the aging brain will find this an indispensable guide.

In Creativity and the Brain, Kenneth Heilman explores the possible brain mechanisms which underlie creativity, by reviewing the existing evidence and putting forward new ideas. On the way, he discusses the relationships between creativity and intelligence, brain anatomy, neuropharmacology, addiction, handedness, sex differences, and mood states such as depression. He also addresses the effects of neurological disorders and aging, as well as the influence of environmental factors such as tolerance and nurturing.The book will be of interest to neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and educators The engaging and succinct style of this book also make it appealing to students, and researchers from a variety of disciplines who have an interest in understanding the brain mechanisms underlying creativity.

Many parts of the athlete’s body are important for performance, such as strong muscles and bones; healthy lungs and heart; and several sensory systems, including the vision, touch, and joint position senses, and the vestibular system for balance. However, the critical element for athletic performance is, "not what you have but how you use it." The organ that decides "how you use it" is the brain. This book explains how the brain allows the athlete to perform.The book starts with an outline of brain anatomy, which is necessary to understand how the brain functions. The book then outlines many critical aspects of the athlete’s brain, including learning motor skills; decision-making; hand preference; visual perception of speed, distance, and direction; balance; emotions and mood. Finally, the book discusses the adverse influence of brain injuries.

Many parts of the athlete’s body are important for performance, such as strong muscles and bones; healthy lungs and heart; and several sensory systems, including the vision, touch, and joint position senses, and the vestibular system for balance. However, the critical element for athletic performance is, "not what you have but how you use it." The organ that decides "how you use it" is the brain. This book explains how the brain allows the athlete to perform.The book starts with an outline of brain anatomy, which is necessary to understand how the brain functions. The book then outlines many critical aspects of the athlete’s brain, including learning motor skills; decision-making; hand preference; visual perception of speed, distance, and direction; balance; emotions and mood. Finally, the book discusses the adverse influence of brain injuries.

The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a perspective on apraxia that considers a link between the pathology of apraxia and normal motor skill. In addition, it is the intention of the authors to provide information that is theoretically interesting as well as clinically applicable. The book is a collection of papers by various authors working in the area of apraxia, almost exclusively with limb aparaxia specifically. Beginning with Hugo Liepman's work of the late 19th century, a cognitive neuropsychological model of limb apraxia is reviewed, the use of new technologies that are informative about the mechanisms of limb praxis are discussed, and issues related to research as well as clinical assessment/management of the disorder are provided. While acquired limb apraxia is the focus of the book, there are also chapters on handedness, developmental apraxia of speech, and disorders of handwriting.

In Creativity and the Brain, Kenneth Heilman explores the possible brain mechanisms which underlie creativity, by reviewing the existing evidence and putting forward new ideas. On the way, he discusses the relationships between creativity and intelligence, brain anatomy, neuropharmacology, addiction, handedness, sex differences, and mood states such as depression. He also addresses the effects of neurological disorders and aging, as well as the influence of environmental factors such as tolerance and nurturing.The book will be of interest to neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and educators The engaging and succinct style of this book also make it appealing to students, and researchers from a variety of disciplines who have an interest in understanding the brain mechanisms underlying creativity.

About 90% of people have faith in a supreme being, but our yearning for the divine, and whatever it promises, involves a large divergence in mental states and behaviors. Some adhere to doctrine, supplication, and fastidious religious practices; others have a strong sense they are part of something greater and more universal. However, all religious and spiritual paths are mediated by complex brain networks. When different areas of the brain are stimulated, a person can have a variety of experiences, but there is no specific ‘God spot’ where stimulation enhances religiosity or spirituality. Functional brain imaging shows that there are specific areas of the brain that ‘light up’ when subjects perform certain religious activities, but imaging only provides anatomic correlations, not functional explanations.The Believer's Brain takes a step beyond these singular methodologies, providing converging evidence from a variety study methods of how humans’ brain networks mediate different aspects of religious and spiritual beliefs, feelings, actions, and experiences.Although the book reveals how our brain is the home to the religious and spiritual mind, understanding this gift will not diminish our spirituality or our love or our belief in a supreme being, but will increase appreciation of the apparatus that mediates these mental states.

About 90% of people have faith in a supreme being, but our yearning for the divine, and whatever it promises, involves a large divergence in mental states and behaviors. Some adhere to doctrine, supplication, and fastidious religious practices; others have a strong sense they are part of something greater and more universal. However, all religious and spiritual paths are mediated by complex brain networks. When different areas of the brain are stimulated, a person can have a variety of experiences, but there is no specific ‘God spot’ where stimulation enhances religiosity or spirituality. Functional brain imaging shows that there are specific areas of the brain that ‘light up’ when subjects perform certain religious activities, but imaging only provides anatomic correlations, not functional explanations.The Believer's Brain takes a step beyond these singular methodologies, providing converging evidence from a variety study methods of how humans’ brain networks mediate different aspects of religious and spiritual beliefs, feelings, actions, and experiences.Although the book reveals how our brain is the home to the religious and spiritual mind, understanding this gift will not diminish our spirituality or our love or our belief in a supreme being, but will increase appreciation of the apparatus that mediates these mental states.