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Stuss DT, Winocur G, Robertson IH, Eds. Cognitive rehabilitation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1999), 400 p. 64.95 £ ; 110 $ US
Neurophysiol Clin 2000 ; 30 : 329 © 2000 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved S0987705300002318/BRV www.elsevier.fr/direct/nc-cn
REVUE DE LA LITTÉRATURE
Rubrique coordonnée par J.M. Guérit Stuss DT, Winocur G, Robertson IH, Eds. Cognitive rehabilitation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1999), 400 p. 64.95 £ ; 110 $ US
The book Cognitive rehabilitation is the product of a conference, however, it is quite atypical compared to many other edited books of such proceedings. It is written in a very consistent style, with all the various contributors (Canadian, American and European) following a format that provides precise pointful statements followed by more extensive details on each point with excellent conclusions. This is due to a very comprehensive and uniform text covering a wide range of topics on cognitive rehabilitation, from basic research to practical applications. This makes the book an outstanding reference for those readers who are only looking for summary of a specific topic or those who want critical details on background sources and research. There are four sections to the book, starting with the basic mechanisms of recovery for a range of disorders (including normal ageing) for which rehabilitation may be required. The chapters start with reviews on neural plasticity subsequent to brain injury and the role of intracerebral transplants in the restitution of functionality. Subsequent chapters deal with the role of neuroimaging to monitor and understand this plasticity, which allows the recovery of functions including the implications of sex hormones and the importance of compensation (overcoming deficits) and the social environment in rehabilitation. The second part includes only three chapters that cover the critical field of pharmacological interventions and therapies. It starts with neuroprotection and the difficulties of treatment following traumatic brain injury due to the range of possible secondary medical complications. The third chapter is particularly interesting as it details the range of therapy options for the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
The third section deals with the very necessary, practical and complex areas of clinical and management issues. The first chapters present rehabilitation programmes, emphasizing the critical factors for successful rehabilitation as a function of the type of disfunction and stage of recovery. The chapters that follow review the assessment of cognitive outcome, the practicality integrated with basic research, the measures of impairment and the important impact of mood, motivation and family dynamics for recovery. This section emphasises the range of factors that must be considered in an integrated fashion to allow maximum recovery of cognitive abilities after neurological injury. The final section covers techniques of cognitive rehabilitation. The first chapters try to give a definition, within the context of successful therapies and biological models. Aphasia and traumatic brain injury are the disorders discussed in these first chapters, however, the principles apply broadly. The following four chapters review the rehabilitation of attention, executive function and memory. The last of these, covering compensatory techniques for memory changes with normal ageing, is of interest to all. This book is to be recommended as an excellent reference text for students through experienced professionals in the field of rehabilitation, as it covers such an impressive range of issues and topics that any researcher or practitioner working within the area would benefit from the knowledge presented.
J. Margot, P.D. Taylor (Centre de recherche cerveau et cognition, CNRS, UMR 5549, université Paul-Sabatier, faculté de médecine de Rangueil, Toulouse, France)
REVUE DE LA LITTÉRATURE
Rubrique coordonnée par J.M. Guérit Stuss DT, Winocur G, Robertson IH, Eds. Cognitive rehabilitation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1999), 400 p. 64.95 £ ; 110 $ US
The book Cognitive rehabilitation is the product of a conference, however, it is quite atypical compared to many other edited books of such proceedings. It is written in a very consistent style, with all the various contributors (Canadian, American and European) following a format that provides precise pointful statements followed by more extensive details on each point with excellent conclusions. This is due to a very comprehensive and uniform text covering a wide range of topics on cognitive rehabilitation, from basic research to practical applications. This makes the book an outstanding reference for those readers who are only looking for summary of a specific topic or those who want critical details on background sources and research. There are four sections to the book, starting with the basic mechanisms of recovery for a range of disorders (including normal ageing) for which rehabilitation may be required. The chapters start with reviews on neural plasticity subsequent to brain injury and the role of intracerebral transplants in the restitution of functionality. Subsequent chapters deal with the role of neuroimaging to monitor and understand this plasticity, which allows the recovery of functions including the implications of sex hormones and the importance of compensation (overcoming deficits) and the social environment in rehabilitation. The second part includes only three chapters that cover the critical field of pharmacological interventions and therapies. It starts with neuroprotection and the difficulties of treatment following traumatic brain injury due to the range of possible secondary medical complications. The third chapter is particularly interesting as it details the range of therapy options for the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
The third section deals with the very necessary, practical and complex areas of clinical and management issues. The first chapters present rehabilitation programmes, emphasizing the critical factors for successful rehabilitation as a function of the type of disfunction and stage of recovery. The chapters that follow review the assessment of cognitive outcome, the practicality integrated with basic research, the measures of impairment and the important impact of mood, motivation and family dynamics for recovery. This section emphasises the range of factors that must be considered in an integrated fashion to allow maximum recovery of cognitive abilities after neurological injury. The final section covers techniques of cognitive rehabilitation. The first chapters try to give a definition, within the context of successful therapies and biological models. Aphasia and traumatic brain injury are the disorders discussed in these first chapters, however, the principles apply broadly. The following four chapters review the rehabilitation of attention, executive function and memory. The last of these, covering compensatory techniques for memory changes with normal ageing, is of interest to all. This book is to be recommended as an excellent reference text for students through experienced professionals in the field of rehabilitation, as it covers such an impressive range of issues and topics that any researcher or practitioner working within the area would benefit from the knowledge presented.
J. Margot, P.D. Taylor (Centre de recherche cerveau et cognition, CNRS, UMR 5549, université Paul-Sabatier, faculté de médecine de Rangueil, Toulouse, France)