The Laboratory of Neuropsychology is one of several laboratories in the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, an independent degree-granting Program affiliated with the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. In addition to the Laboratory of Neuropsychology, other laboratories in the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. Program include the Aphasia Research Center and the Language and the Aging Brain program (both directed by Dr. Martin Albert), the Memory Disorders Research Center (Dr. Mieke Verfaille, Director), the neuroimaging program in language disorders (Dr. Margaret Naeser), the Center for Behavioral Development and Mental Retardation (Dr. Janina Galler, Director), and the Behavioral Pharmacology laboratory (Dr. Conan Kornetsky, Director).

The research conducted in Dr. Berman's laboratory continues a longstanding program of neurobehavioral and neuroimaging projects aimed at understanding the full extent of functional and structural brain deficits and intact skills in neurological populations, including alcoholics with and without clinical signs of Korsakoff s syndrome (severe amnesia for events occurring since the onset of extensive brain damage).

By analyzing the ways in which motivational/emotional variables influence behavior, we contribute to a better understanding of alcoholism, aging, and their interaction. Further, improved characterization of the affective and conative changes observed in the cognitive decline associated with alcoholism and aging have important clinical and theoretical benefits. Clinically, the research findings can provide caregivers and family members with information about the patients' emotional changes and intact skills, including the social consequences of the symptoms. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brains of alcoholics have helped to clarify anatomically-defined brain systems that are abnormal in alcoholism. In turn, the findings may suggest brain regions to be targeted for pharmacological treatment by clinicians.

In future studies, we will continue to examine alcoholism-related frontal-system and right-hemispheric dysfunction, with an emphasis on possible synergistic effects of alcoholism and aging in both genders. Theoretical benefits. Clinically, the research findings can provide caregivers and family members with information about the patients' emotional changes and intact skills, including the social consequences of the symptoms. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brains of alcoholics have helped to clarify anatomically-defined brain systems that are abnormal in alcoholism. In turn, the findings may suggest brain regions to be targeted for pharmacological treatment by clinicians.