87464 - SEMEIOTICA 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):

Elisabetta Ladavas e Anna Berti (2014) Neuropsicologia. Bologna, Il Mulino.

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

Verification of the learning outcomes takes place through the final exam that ensures the acquisition of the expected outcomes by conducting both, a written and an oral test.

The exam test consists of:

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 and identify pathological conditions based on TC an MRI images, shown on 10 pictures of the central nervous system from neuroanatomical atlas.

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.

Partial exams

Students can take the exam test through 2 partial tests.

The first partial exam, lasting 30 minutes, on the topics covered in Module 1 (prof. di Pellegrino), will take place in October 2019 (date will be communicated to students during lectures and published as a notice on the portal of the two teachers of the course).

The second partial exam, oral test, on the topics covered in Module 2 (prof. Frassinetti), can take place during the 2020 winter session. To be eligible for the 2nd partial test, it is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 6 points at the 1st partial test.

The final vote is calculated as the sum of the scores to the two partial tests.

A full exam will be made available to students in each session.

Note: Students who have passed the 1st but have not passed or taken the 2nd partial exam in the 2020 winter session will have to take the exam in its entirety.

Assessment criteria

The following criteria will be applied for the evaluation of each test answer.

Module 1 (Prof. di Pellegrino): from 0 to 1 point for each of the 10 anatomical pictures

To be eligible for the 2nd partial test, it is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 6 points at the 1st partial test.

Module 2 (Prof.ssa Frassinetti): from 0 to 20 points

The test examination will assess both theoretical learning, the ability to discuss a neuropsychological case and to discuss a scientific article. It is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 12 points.

The final vote is calculated as the sum of the scores to the two partial tests.

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 Frassinetti (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