Theresa M. Incagnoli - Böcker

This volume reflects, in part, an update of Clinical Application of Neuropsycho­ logical Test Batteries, edited by Theresa Incagnoli, Gerald Goldstein, and Charles Golden some 10 years ago.

During the twentieth century, new neurobehavioral diseases appeared or were described for the first time. Exposure to certain toxins or noxious environments, for example, produced illnesses that did not exist before the twentieth century. In addition, established illnesses were reconceptualized with regard to their cause or neurobiological basis. Autism, for instance, was described for the first time during the twentieth century and may not have existed previously. Its cause was subsequently reconceptualized from a disorder related to inadequate parenting, to a brain disorder with possible genetic causes.These major new and reconceptualized disorders are reviewed in this book with regard to their neurocognitive characteristics, causes, and outcome. Disorders covered include ADHD in adults, Lewy Body Dementia, autism, multiple chemical sensitivity, deployment syndromes found in veterans of the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan wars, effects of low birth weight, neurobehavioral respiratory disorders, PTSD, and comorbid disorders such as depression and brain injury.The expert reviews of these disorders give balanced coverage of the ongoing and often controversial research findings that continue to generate much professional and public interest. This volume provides an essential resource for researchers, instructors, and clinicians in the fields of neuropsychology, psychiatry, behavioral neurology, neuroscience, toxicology, as well as the informed general public concerned and affected by these disorders.

Clinical neuropsychology has become a field of major prominence dur­ ing the past several years, as well as a field of great complexity. As a result of the extensive amount of activity that neuropsychology has experienced recently, two major developments have emerged. First, several approaches have evolved regarding comprehensive neuro­ psychological assessment. There are presently several standard test bat­ teries in common use, as well as an approach to assessment that does not make use of standard batteries, but rather fits the evaluation accom­ plished to the particular diagnostic problems presented by the indi­ vidual patient. Second, a great deal of specialization has emerged, with assessment procedures developed for evaluation of specific types of neuropsychological deficit. The purpose of this volume is to review these developments, particularly with reference to their implications for application in clinical settings. The history of this book's development is of particular interest. Some years ago, the Veterans Administration became concerned with developing an optimal method of neuropsychological assessment for its many health-care related facilities. Initially, the problem was con­ ceptualized in terms of whether the VA should encourage wider use of the long-established Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery (HRB) or promote more extensive use of the recently developed Luria­ Nebraska Neuropsychological Test Battery (LNNB). A conference was funded to bring together authorities in clinical neuropsychology to dis­ cuss this matter and present a series of papers to invited psychologists from various VA facilities.