Brain Lesion Analysis in Clinical Research

Brain lesion analysis has been used in clinical research for more than a century. From the discoveries of Broca and Wernicke to the offerings of modern neuroimaging, the method of lesion analysis has been the source of current theories regarding the processing of language in the brain. This chapter discusses current methodological issues in lesion analysis and reviews work in this area since 1990. Moving beyond attempts to localize aphasia syndromes, lesion analysis is now exploring the specific deficits within such areas as semantics, syntax, and speech production and is beginning to guide in the diagnosis and prognosis of aphasic patients.