OVERVIEW

Clinical neuropsychology specifically studies cognitive functions, with reference to their alterations during the various pathologies affecting the nervous system. The course aims to provide a systematic view of the main cognitive functions and their disorders, and a brief knowledge of the main clinical pictures during which these problems occur with particular relevance.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Know the main forms of disturbances in higher cognitive and cortical functions (dementias, aphasias, apraxias, agnosias, body schema disorders) and be able to evaluate their impact on neuromotor rehabilitation processes, as well as learn the main rehabilitation approaches aimed at allowing a recovery of altered neuropsychological functions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching of Clinical Neuropsychology of adulthood aims to provide basic knowledge on the global functioning of the brain, with particular regard to cognitive functions, in particular on their general organization in terms of networking, and on the terminology inherent in the individual functions and their disturbances. At the end of the course, the main clinical pictures during which neuropsychological disorders represent the most relevant element, or one of the most relevant elements of the symptomatology, will be illustrated. The student will have to acquire a good command of the definitions, the classification and the anatomo-clinical correlations of the functions themselves, both in normal conditions and in pathology. This will also allow to understand the theoretical and practical bases of neuropsychological assessment, to enable students to structure a correct approach with the various forms of disorders of the subjects they will have to interact with.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons take place in the first semester of the third year through lectures that make use of slide projections
The modality is interactive and also includes projection of films, presentation of clinical cases and reading of fragments of specialized books

Students with certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are encouraged to contact lecturers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns and provide suitable compensatory tools

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main cortical syndromes
Clinical neuropsychology and cognitive functions: definitions and general concepts
The prerequisites for neuropsychological assessment; the clinical interview. The global cognitive scales
Attention (definition, classification and main syndromic pictures)
Executive functions. The concepts of intelligence, abstraction, planning, problem solving
Memory (definition, classification and main syndromic pictures)
Aphasias (definition, classification and main syndromic pictures)
Apraxias (definition, classification and main syndromic pictures)
The Agnosias (definition, classification and main syndromic pictures)
The visual-spatial functions
Neglect and disturbances of the body schema
Cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system
Cognitive deficits in cerebrovascular disease
Cognitive deficits in demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fondamenti di Neuroscienze, A Siegel & HN Sapru, Italian edition based on the 3rd in English, Piccin Editore

Additional teaching material is provided by the teacher during the lessons and made available on Aulaweb or on the dedicated Team

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester of the third year

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The assessment method may include an interview that focuses on the topics of the lectures and the supplementary material presented and a written test in the form of multiple-choice questions. At the end of the course the teacher will communicate the elective modality.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student must correctly answer at least 60% of the questions
In the case of an oral exam, the student must demonstrate that he/she has understood the topics specified in the program, and in particular that he/she has a precise command of the terminology and a sufficient knowledge of the pathophysiology of cognitive functions and the methods of their exploration.

Students with DSA or other regularly certified special educational needs will be able to agree with the professor on the written or oral mode of the examination, by contacting professors at least 10 days before the exam. They will also be able to take advantage of 30 % additional time 

FURTHER INFORMATION

1) The exam cannot be taken if the related prerequisites have not been respected.

2) Since these are integrated course exams, failure to pass a single discipline requires the need to repeat the entire exam.

When a student is a certified DSA, it is required to contact the Referring Teacher of the DISABILITY and DSA Commission for DINOGMI: Prof. N. Girtler (nicolagirtler@unige.it ) and evaluated the single case, he will send to the teachers the necessary directions both for  lessons development  and for modality of examination