Fractured Minds: A Case-Study Approach to Clinical Neuropsychology

Fractured Minds introduces the reader to clinical neuropsychology through vivid case descriptions of adults who have suffered brain damage. At one level, this is a book about the courage, humor, and determination to triumph over illness and disability that many "ordinary people" demonstrate when coping with the extraordinary stress of a brain disorder. On another level, it is a well-referenced and up-to-date textbook that provides a holistic view of the practice of clinical neuropsychology. Included are reader-friendly descriptions and explanations of a wide range of neurological disorders and neuroscientific concepts. Two introductory chapters are followed by 17 chapters that each focus on a specific disorder and include research, clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and a detailed case study. Disorders range across the full spectrum from common ones such as traumatic brain injury and dementia, to rare disorders such as autotopagnosia. Each of the 16 chapters retained from the first edition has been revised to reflect current research and clinical advances. Three new chapters on multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease incorporate discussion of important current topics such as genetically-transmitted diseases, genetic counseling, gene transplantation, functional neurosurgery, and the complex ethical issues that go hand-in-hand with these new techniques. This informative and engaging book will be of interest to students of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and neurology, health professionals who work with neurological patients, neurological patients and their families, and lay readers who are simply fascinated by the mind and brain.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and very informative

By Amanda Price - June 1, 2008

For several years, I have used this book for an undergraduate class I teach on Neuropsychology. The chapters, which each focus on a distinct type of brain damage or disorder, are well written and a relatively easy read. They also do an excellent job of covering the science of what causes each type of damage and why the damage impacts behavior the way that it does. My students seem to really enjoy each chapter and Ogden's discussion of her patients stimulate a great deal of discussion in class. I find Ogden's coverage to be more comprehensive and detailed than Oliver Sacks but she is certainly no less interesting to read.

This is a great read

By Robert Griffith - October 25, 2011

Dr. Ogden brings to life the case study approach. She writes well, clear and is informative. She gives us basic definitions in neurology and spells them out clearly; the difference between alexia and dyslexia, for example. She focuses on the machinery at the neurologists disposal and the testing battery of the neuropsychologist. She tells how each person tends to be one minute normal, the next, no so. She follows closely how something like neurotoxicity develops, a people cope with neurological illness and follows them in treatment. The book is full of learning material. I highly recommend it to the practicing psychologist or neuropsychologist, or someone curious about how the brain functions.

Great Case Studies

By Ashley Rober "Psych Geek" - December 28, 2010

This book is great if you want to learn about neuropsychology from a clinical point of view. Very interesting to read, just enough terminology and detail where it's helpful, but not boring. Highly recommended.