Course Objectives: |
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of neuropsychology and the neural structures that underlie human behavior and cognitive disorders, to inform them about advanced cognitive functions and related brain structures and functions, and to gain skills in both the application of tests that evaluate these functions and the interpretation of test scores. |
Course Content: |
Students will acquire a relatively sophisticated understanding of central nervous system function and dysfunction, and neurocognitive assessment. Descriptions of neurologic disorders and case reports of individuals suffering traumatic brain injuries will be used to help students understand brain function through the study of dysfunction. In addition, students will learn how to administer, score, and interpret a number of neuropsychological tests including: tests of intelligence, attention, information processing speed, general and working memory, visuospatial ability, executive function and decision making, inhibitory control, language function, social cognition, and so forth. Issues related to concussive injuries and tracking recovery will be discussed. |
Week |
Subject |
Related Preparation |
1) |
Overview and History |
|
2) |
Review: Attention and Processing Speed |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
3) |
Review: General and Working Memory |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
4) |
Language, Visuospatial Function, and Hemispheric Specialization |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
5) |
Executive and Motivational Control, Social Cognition |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
6) |
Neurologic disorders |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
7) |
Neurologic disorders |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
8) |
Midterm Exam |
|
9) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: Attention, information processing speed |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
10) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: General and working memory |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
11) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: Executive function, decision making, and social cognition |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
12) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: Language and visuospatial ability |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
13) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: Intelligence testing and dementia screens |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
14) |
Neurocognitive Assessment: Concussive injuries and tracking recovery |
[1] The instructor will distribute detailed outlines.
[2] The instructor will forward PowerPoint presentations.
|
15) |
Final Exam |
|