The course aims to introduce Cognitive Neuroscience by providing the neurophysiological basis of normal and pathological cognitive processes. The course aims also to introduce the different methods used by neuroscience to study the brain and behavior.

Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience, short history, overview of the nervous system and focus on the brain

Behavioral methods

Electrophysiological methods

Neuroimaging Methods

Vision and perception

Recognition of objects and faces, agnosia and prosopoagnosia

Motor control and apraxia

Language and aphasia

Reading and writing

Memory systems

Brain plasticity and aging

Cognitive control, decisions and frontal lobes

Attention and neglect

Psychophysiology of emotions

Sleep

Consciousness

Simulation

+ 1 seminar

It is necessary to have taken the exam of Fondamenti anatomo fisiologici dell’attività psichica

The students are expected to know: 

- the cognitive functions and their neuro-physiological bases

- the Neuroscience methods used to study the brain

- how to evaluate normal and pathological behavior in the main cognitive and neuro-functional models presented during the course

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material (e.g. slides, handouts, bibliography) and communications can be found on the Moodle platform ›blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures

Attendance

Attendance is optional but is highly recommended

Course books

1. Gazzaniga et al. Neuroscienze Cognitive -except chapters 4, 11 and 13; chapter 14 up to p. 643.

2. Bear et al. Esplorando il Cervello - chapter 19 and 20; chapter 15 p. 563-570; reference to chapter 24.

3. Purves et al. Neuroscienze Cognitive – chapter 2 (ask Zanichelli for authorization to photocopy).

4. Vallar & Papagno (a cura di) Manuale di Neuropsicologia (optional, for further information).

Assessment

Written test with 15 multiple choice questions (each question is worth 1 point) + 4 open questions (maximum 4 points). There is no penalty in case of incorrect answer. Duration 60 minute

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students must refer exclusively to the books listed in the course books section. Non-attending students will have the same requirements as attending students.

Attendance

Attendance is optional.

Course books

Non-attending students must refer exclusively to the books and chapters listed in the course books section.

Assessment

There are no differences with respect to the requirements for attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.