Research Interests:

Dr. Becker's research focuses on the information processing defects which
can produce human memory disorders and the nature and extent of the
neuroanatomical damage which produces these defects. By understanding the
pattern of the spared and impaired cognitive processes of patients with
neurobehavioral disorder, he hopes to learn more about the nature of normal
memory and memory processes. Further, by examining the patterns and extent
of impairment in patients, the natural history of these disorders can be
evaluated.

Two basic approaches are used in this research. The first follows the more
classic lines of neuropsychology and behavioral neurology. By careful study
of the patterns of cognitive dysfunction, and the factors that predict the
expression of such patterns, it is not only possible to infer causal
relationships among symptoms of CNS dysfunction, but also to infer the
functional role of the disordered brain regions.

The research program has a strong emphasis on functional neuro-imaging, and
uses these techniques to further elucidate patterns of functional decline
and compensation in patients with specific neuro-behavioral syndromes.
Multivariate statistical procedures are used to examine the functional
connectivity among brain regions in normal and diseased brains. These
procedures are important in that they can reveal changing patterns of CNS
functional organization that may reflect either (or both) compensatory
reactions, or the underlying cause of the cognitive deficit.

Recent Publications:

Butters MA, Lopez OL, Becker JT. (1996) Focal temporal lobe dysfunction in
Probable Alzheimer's disease predicts a slow rate of decline. Neurology
46:687-692.

Becker JT, et al. (1996) Compensatory reallocation of brain resources
supporting verbal episodic memory in Alzheimer's disease. Neurology
46:692-700.

Herbster A.N, et al. (1996). Functional connectivity in auditory-verbal
short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease. NeuroImage 4: 67-77.

Herbster, et al., (1997.) Regional cerebral blood flow during word and
non-word reading. Human Brain Mapping 25: 84-9.