Cognitive neuroscience

General aims This course is aimed at providing knowledge of the relationship between neurodevelopment and development of cognitive and affective functions, together with mechanisms of typical and atypical neuroplasticity involved in early development and their role in normal and pathological behavior, with particular relevance to the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Second aim of the course is to provide students the ability to interpret the information offered by preclinical scientific papers from the field of behavioral neurosciences, and to translate this information to the clinical aspects of mind development. This will be achieved by presenting animal models for the investigation of a) the maturational processes of the Central Nervous System, b) neural mechanism of critical periods in neurodevelopmental and c) dysfunctional neuroplasticity after early adverse experience Specific aims More specifically, a student that successfully passes final examination in Developmental Psychobiology has: 1. advanced knowledge of the processes and mechanisms of brain maturation from embryonal state to early adulthood [Knowledge and understanding]; 2. the ability to read up on and master current scientific research developments and have knowledge of current scientific developments within the field of Developmental Psychobiology [Knowledge and understanding]. 3. advanced knowledge of the translational value of specific findings from basic and preclinical research on dysfunctional brain plasticity and psychopathology as basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas in the clinical and research contexts [Knowledge and understanding; applying of knowledge and understanding]; 4. the skills to analyze and interpret psychobiological patterns and processes in both a qualitative and quantitative sense [Applying of knowledge and understanding]; 5. the analyzing, problem-solving and synthesizing abilities in order to deal with current scientific knowledge on how the interplay between brain maturation and experience shape cognitive and affective development during early postnatal years, adolescence and early adulthood, and apply this knowledge in new and continuously changing practical situations, also in broader, multidisciplinary contexts [Applying knowledge and understanding];