Keynote presentation - Language and thought: residual thought in global aphasia

In a series of studies, we have explored claims of language mediation in various forms of thinking by recruiting people with severe (global) aphasia and dense impairment of language processing across modalities. These investigations reveal residual capacities in, for example, theory of mind reasoning and calculation, in some people with global aphasia. Given evidence of residual cognitive capacity and retention of high-order abilities even in people with very severe language impairment, this spurs the development of better therapies for neurodisability. In a final segment of the talk, I will discuss how new technologies will drive innovation and enhancement in neurotherapeutics.