Using human brain lesions to infer function

Rorden, C. & Karnath, H. (October 2004). Using human brain lesions to infer function: a relic from a past era in the fMRI age? Nature Reviews, Vol. 5, 813-819.

Patients with brain lesions have historically provided neuroscience with momentous insights into brain function. However, with the advent of non-invasive in vivo imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, fMRI, DTI, and the like, researchers are questioning the role of lesion methods going forward. This article argues that lesions studies will continue to fill a unique niche in the future, especially in combination with new imaging protocols: "The power of cognitive neuroscience comes from using convergent tools to investigate the same theoretical question."