Cognitive Neurosciences and Psychological Rehabilitation

The course aims to provide advanced knowledge about the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying higher cognitive functions in humans, particularly focusing on how the functional architecture of the cerebral cortex implements complex functions such as encoding, recognition, and recall of objects, faces, places, and abstract concepts, body representation, working memory, decision-making, executive functions, and consciousness. It integrates classic evidence from clinical neuropsychology with the knowledge derived from modern techniques of neuroimaging, connectomics, and computational models, with the goal of showing how the results of experimental neuroscience can inform the interpretation of neuropsychological phenomena and their assessment in clinical contexts. Knowledge and understanding: students will acquire advanced knowledge of the functional architecture of the human cerebral cortex, the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying higher cognitive functions, and advanced methods based on neuroimaging to study the structure of mental representations and the dynamics of large-scale functional connections. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to use the acquired knowledge to analyze and interpret neuropsychological phenomena, critically evaluate experimental neuropsychology research, design studies using advanced investigation techniques, and design neuropsychological interventions in clinical and applied contexts. Making judgements: students will be able to independently acquire and manage the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the educational objectives, both through individual study and participation in classes and seminars. Communication skills: students will develop the ability to formulate research and intervention projects and communicate them clearly and persuasively in a limited time using appropriate technical terms. Learning skills: students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to independently evaluate and deepen research in the field of experimental neuropsychology.