This second edition, published in 2006, covers the range of neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with stroke, including cognitive, emotional and behavioural disorders such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. There is growing recognition among a wide range of clinicians and allied healthcare staff that post-stroke neuropsychiatric syndromes are common and serious. Such complications can have a negative impact on recovery and even survival; however, there is now evidence suggesting that pre-emptive therapeutic intervention in high-risk patient groups can prevent the initial onset of the conditions. This opportunity for primary prevention marks a huge advance in the management of this patient population.