Neuropsychological Systems Deficits and the Isomorphism of Control

Abstract

The papers that follow are based on a symposium presented at the Twelth European Conference of the International Neuropsychological Society held in Antwerp, Belgium between 5–8th July 1989. The symposium, using closed head injury as a vehicle, attempted to overview approaches to the study of systems function and dysfunction. Rather than concentrate on skill and subtest deficit, the papers addressed diffuse, systemic, subcortical effects and disruption of lower integration centers. They addressed the utility of neural network models to develop theory to explain deficits in behavioral integrating systems; the role of systems approaches in better understanding the overlapping clinical subsets of migraine and seizure disorders; the provision of visual examples of lateralized systemic changes associated with closed head injury through infrared thermology and the presentation of an application of biomathematical systems modeling with potent applications for diagnosis and rehabilitation. Finally the papers were discussed in terms of the clinical and philosophical issues.

Key Words:

• Neuropsychology
• isomorphism
• neural networks
• cybernetics
• engram
• autonomic nervous system