Within neuropsychology, localization refers to the relationship between the anatomical structures of the brain and their corresponding psychological or behavioral function. There has long been considerable debate over localization. How widespread is it? Are some functions more localized than others? By the mid-20th century, a formidable amount of evidence seemed to strongly support the "modularity hypothesis" that psychological functions such as language and memory reside in specific neuroanatomical areas. More recently, neuroimaging studies seem to suggest a more holisitc view--that psychological functions are distributed and dynamically organized across multiple brain regions.

This book by two senior figures in clinical neuropsychology sets out to reconcile these two approaches, arguing that newer imaging techniques must be used in conjunction with, rather than replace, traditional neuropsychology approaches such interviewing, testing, and autopsy exams. Only by triangulating these various approaches can neuropsychologists begin to understand the complex relationship between brain structure and mental function that is exhibited across the spectrum of neurological disorders. The book's "big picture" perspective on a long running debate will usefully counterbalance current research that emphasizes imaging studies to the exclusion of other useful techniques.