3.00 Credits
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the science and practice of clinical neuropsychology. This specialized subfield of Clinical Psychology aims to assess and interpret the relationship between nervous system function, cognition, emotion and behavior; and to apply this knowledge to the design of individualized patient interventions. Students will gain an understanding of the field through review of adult and pediatric cognitive and neurological disorders. The psychosocial adjustment of patients living with each disorder and the dynamics among individuals involved in their care are additional themes of emphasis. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach integrating information from several subfields of medicine (neurology, neuroradiology and psychiatry) and psychology (cognitive, abnormal, developmental, biological, health psychology). The initial stage of the course will include an overview of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurodevelopment. Next, assessment and evaluation will be covered by cognitive domain (e.g., executive function, language) and taught through both didactic (e.g., lecture, discussion, article review) and "hands-on" approach (e.g., direct practice with classmates). The succeeding lectures will examine the presentation of specific disorders including neuropathology, symptoms, and treatment. Ethical and diversity-related considerations will be examined and incorporated throughout the course. Registration Restriction(s): PsyD students only