[Cerebral imaging and aphasia]

In the field of aphasiology, cerebral imaging has greatly helped in modifying our concepts concerning the physiopathological mechanisms underlying language. Morphological imaging, and particularly computerized tomography (CT), has provided a critical appraisal of established doctrines as well as evidence that subcortical structures participate in language. A more dynamic and evolutive approach of brain organization for language has been introduced by CT and emission imaging techniques which have shown on one side the existence of age-related modifications in the language area, and on the other side the possibility of recovery by activation of structures other than those classically involved. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging has recently revived interest in the study of strict anatomico-clinical correlations.