White Matter Dementia

Christopher M. Filley is Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Behavioral Neurology Section at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, and Neurology Service Chief at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.

Breaking away from prevailing views of dementia that rely heavily on the role of the cerebral cortex, the new perspective put forth here highlights white matter-cognition relationships, presenting an expanded view of dementia and its neurobiological origins. Based on detailed patient observations, extensive clinical research and an exhaustive literature review, this book discusses the novel concept of white matter dementia, offering hope for better understanding and treatment of dementing illness. Covering topics such as white matter neurobiology, mild cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease, the author reconsiders brain-behavior relationships and expands the concept of dementia, discussing implications for diagnosis, treatment (medical, surgical, rehabilitative, and psychiatric) and therapeutic innovations aimed at prevention of white matter damage and restoration of myelin. This unique book is an absolute must-have for all medical specialists and consultants in neurology, neuropsychiatry, and neuropsychology involved with the growing challenge of dementia.

Breaking away from prevailing views of dementia, relying heavily on the role of the cerebral cortex, Filley considers the novel concept of white matter dementia, highlighting the importance of white matter-cognition relationships. This unique book offers hope for a better understanding of the neurobiological basis of dementia.

Preface; 1. Brain-behavior relationships: a reconsideration; 2. The essential contributions of neuroimaging; 3. White matter neurobiology; 4. A neuroanatomic overview of dementia; 5. Expanding the concept of dementia; 6. White matter disorders; 7. White matter dementia; 8. Mild cognitive dysfunction: a precursor syndrome; 9. Diagnosis; 10. Prognosis; 11. Treatment; 12. White matter and cognition: research perspectives; 13. Therapeutic innovations; 14. Alzheimer's disease and white matter; 15. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy and white matter; 16. Beyond corticocentrism; Index.