87464 - SEMIOTICA E DIAGNOSI DIFFERENZIALE IN NEUROPSICOLOGIA-

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to know and use the main psychological instruments for assessing the main cognitive deficits and to make diagnosis about the the different neuropsychological disorders following brain lesion in humans.

Course contents

The course involves two modules:

Module 1 (4 CFU, prof. G. Pellegrino) provides advanced knowledge on functional neuronatomy, both in normal and neurological population.

Module 1 content:

1) Normal functional neuroanatomy

• - Cerebral hemispheres;
• - Diencephalon;
• - Brain stem (midbrain, pons, medulla), the cerebellum, and the spinal cord;
• - Meninges, ventricles and arterial supply of the brain;

2) Localization of relevant neural (cortical and subcortical) structures in horizontal, sagittal, and coronal sections of the brain, and in MRI and CT scans;

3) Analysis of radiological pictures of the main neurological disorders relevant for neuropsychological diagnosis.

Module 2 (8 CFU, Prof. Frassinetti) provides provides advanced knowledge on

1) Aetiology of the cognitive disorders.

2) Diagnosis, on the basis of symptoms, clinical signs, patients' performance at different tests, of specific deficit of cognitive functions:

• Language
• Perception
• Attention
• Memory
• Movement
• Reasoning
• Spatial perception
• Time perception
• Self representation
• consciousness

3) Differential diagnosis among the different cognitive disorders and their lesion site

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and other materials (research articles) provided by the teachers.

For Module 1 (Prof. di Pellegrino), the following book is suggested: Sobotta Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol. 3, 15th ed., English/Latin: Head, Neck and Neuroanatomy. Autori: Friedrich Paulsen & Jens Waschke. Casa editrice: Urban & Fischer, Elsevier; 15ima edizione (2013).

For Module 2 (Prof. Frassinetti):

Denes G., Pizzamiglio L. (2000) Manuale di Neuropsicologia. Bologna, Zanichelli.

Gazzaniga M., Ivry R.B., Mangun G.R. (2005) Neuroscienza Cognitive. Bologna, Zanichelli.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures and practical exercises in laboratory by means of computers

Assessment methods

For Module 1 (Prof. di Pellegrino): written exam lasting 30 minutes. The exam aims at verifying the acquisition of the expected knowledge about neuroanatomy: students will be required to label cerebral structures shown on pitcures from neuroanatomical atlas and identify pathological conditions based on TC an MRI images. For Module 1 points: 0-10

 

For Module 2 (Prof. Frassinetti): oral exam. The test examination will assess both theoretical learning and the ability to discuss neuropsychological cases to formulate a possible diagnosis starting from clinical data and/or lesion site.

For Module 2 points: 0-20

The student is required to complete the online registration (Almaesami) within the terms in order to be admitted to the exam. In the case of technical problems the student is required to promptly contact the Segreteria Studenti and email prof. di Pellegrino (within the terms) who will consider the request and decide about the admission.

Teaching tools

Presentation of slides, neuroanatomy atlas, brain imaging data both in normal and neurological population. Video clips of clinical cases.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Frassinetti

See the website of Giuseppe Di Pellegrino