Breaking away from prevailing views of dementia that rely heavily on the role of the cerebral cortex, the new perspective put forth here highlights white matter-cognition relationships, presenting an expanded view of dementia and its neurobiological origins. Based on detailed patient observations, extensive clinical research and an exhaustive literature review, this book discusses the novel concept of white matter dementia, offering hope for better understanding and treatment of dementing illness. Covering topics such as white matter neurobiology, mild cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease, the author reconsiders brain-behavior relationships and expands the concept of dementia, discussing implications for diagnosis, treatment (medical, surgical, rehabilitative, and psychiatric) and therapeutic innovations aimed at prevention of white matter damage and restoration of myelin. This unique book is an absolute must-have for all medical specialists and consultants in neurology, neuropsychiatry, and neuropsychology involved with the growing challenge of dementia.

‘Dementia involves more than just cortical gray matter. As Dr Filley emphasizes, this ‘corticocentrism’ has failed to give sufficient emphasis to the critical role of white matter dysfunction in most cognitive disorders and dementia. White Matter Dementia remedies this and fills the gap and a need in the field [of] dementia. It is the definitive book on this topic, summarizing the neuroimaging and other advances in the role of white matter in a highly accessible and readable format. Dr Filley has done a wonderful job, particularly in covering the clinical aspects of white matter dementia, from diagnosis to management. Moreover, this book includes timely and pertinent developments such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest [in] and [a] need to understand dementing illnesses.’

Mario F. Mendez, MD, PhD - Director, Behavioral Neurology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

‘White Matter Dementia is an excellent treatise on this evolving topic by the leading authority in the field. This well-written, authoritative book builds from basic concepts to complex systems to provide a comprehensive account of the role of white matter in dementia.’

John Hart, Jr, MD - Jane and Bud Smith Distinguished Chair, University of Texas, Dallas, and University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center

'This book is an instant classic. It combines the allure of modern neuroimaging with the wit of bedside clinical observation. Well rooted in the tradition of clinical and behavioural neurology it offers a glimpse of the richness of correlations between human anatomy and behaviour. I couldn’t think of a better reading to inform my activity as neuropsychiatrist and my research in white matter anatomy. Chris Filley remains one of the most prominent exponents of the Boston School.'

Marco Catani - Head, NatBrainLab, King's College London

‘In 1988, Dr Filley was the first to use the term ‘white matter dementia’ to bring under the umbrella a variety of disparate disorders that had one thing in common - white matter pathology. Culminating nearly three decades later, this book by Cambridge with the same title provides a most impressive, thorough, timely and comprehensive treatment of white matter pathologies as they relate to a broad spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including the most up-to-date diagnostic methods for assessing white matter integrity.’

Erin D. Bigler - Brigham Young University, and Past President, International Neuropsychological Society

'This book provides a fascinating and complete overview of the role of white matter in cognition. It provides new insights into disease and is to be recommended for neurologists and basic researchers in the field of dementia.'

Jolien F. Leijenaar and Philip Scheltens Source: Brain