RésuméLe terme de « néo-associationnisme » se réfère, dans ce chapitre, à un mouvement conceptuel né au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, dont l’objet fut de restaurer un dialogue entre structure cérébrale et fonction. Ce mouvement s’inspira des approches localisationnistes et associationnistes du XIXe siècle et posa les bases d’une nouvelle modélisation du fonctionnement cérébral ayant pour finalité la définition d’unités anatomo-fonctionnelles pertinentes.

The general theme ofourresearch is the biologic underpinnings of learning disorders, particularly·dyslexia. The theme of the research is approached by studying neuroanatomic, neurophysiologic, neurogenetic, neuroimaging, and behavioral characteristics in animal models that exhibit developmental brain anomalies and learning disorders that are comparable to the human condition.

The understanding of the anatomical organization of the brain in developmental dyslexia constitutes a requirement if a unified research approach to this problem is to be undertaken. Securing anatomical data, however, may be difficult unless brain banks are established. The study of one brain of a patient with dyslexia has shown that congenital malformations of cortical structures related to language function may be present. It appears, therefore, important to increase our understanding of the normal anatomical organization of language, of factors contributing to its disorganization before birth, as well as the factors involved in its recovery and plasticity. Issues of anatomical lateralization which are apt to play a role are discussed.