UCL - Psychophysiologie et neuropsychologie

[PSP1200]

[60h] 5 credits

This course is taught in the 1st semester.

Teacher(s): André Mouraux, Mauro Pesenti

Language: French

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

Students should be able to :
- understand the psychophysiological mechanisms of basic cognitive functions;
- understand the pathology of behaviour and cognition following a cerebral lesion in a human subject;
- adopt a critical stance towards all the methods of recording cerebral functions which enable links to be established between behaviour and cognitive functions.

Main themes

The course focuses on the attentional, mnesic and visual mechanisms from a psychophysiological perspective (plasticity and learning mechanisms, interaction of genetic and epigenetic variables, attentional filtering mechanisms etc.) and a neuropsychological perspective (effect of cerebral lesions on cognitive functioning and behaviour) through animal models, case analysis patients with cerebral lesions and functional imaging techniques.

Content and teaching methods

The course is an introduction to the basic concepts in contemporary psychophysiology and neuropsychology, including techniques of functional neuro-imaging. Different pathologies are illustrated by means of case studies and videos.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : PSP1120, PSP1131, PSP1132, PSP1133, PSP1145 or equivalent courses.
Assessment : The written examination contains closed questions (multiple choice and true/false) and open ones.
Support : There are (1) summaries of recommended books in French and English and
(2) slides and transparencies shown during the lectures. The recommended books (see list below) are available in the Psychology library and the slides are put on iCampus as the course progresses.
References : The following books are recommended :
Boisacq-Schepens, N. & Crommelinck, M. (2000) Neurosciences. Paris : Dunod.
Purves, D. et al. (2003) Neurosciences. DeBoeck Université.
Seron, X. (2002). La neuropsychologie cognitive. (5ème édition). Que sais-je? Paris: PUF.
Seron, X. & Van der Linden, M. (Eds.) (2000). Traité de neuropsychologie clinique. Marseille: Solal.