Speaking is not only the basic mode of communication, but also the most complex motor skill humans can perform. Disorders of speech and language are the most common sequelae of brain disease or injury, a condition faced by millions of people each year. Health care practitioners need to interact with scientists in order to develop and evaluate new methods of clinical diagnosis and therapy to help their patients overcome or compensate their communication difficulties. In recent years, collaboration between those in the disciplines of neurophysiology, cognitive psychology, mathematical modelling, ... More

Speaking is not only the basic mode of communication, but also the most complex motor skill humans can perform. Disorders of speech and language are the most common sequelae of brain disease or injury, a condition faced by millions of people each year. Health care practitioners need to interact with scientists in order to develop and evaluate new methods of clinical diagnosis and therapy to help their patients overcome or compensate their communication difficulties. In recent years, collaboration between those in the disciplines of neurophysiology, cognitive psychology, mathematical modelling, neuroscientists, and speech science have helped accelerate progress in the field. This book presents theoretical developments in the area of speech motor control, offering insights into speech disorders. Its scope is broad — presenting state-of-the art research in the areas of modelling, genetics, brain imaging, and behavioral experimentation, in addition to clinical applications.