Module: Neuropsychology

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Neuropsychology
Module Code	PSYC403
School	37
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Aoife Fitzpatrick Semester 2: Aoife Fitzpatrick Autumn: Aoife Fitzpatrick
Module Teachers	Stella Vlachou Aoife Fitzpatrick
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

To provide students with knowledge of what neuropsychology and neuropsychological practice is and which areas of psychological and medical practice can be informed by neuropsychology. To inform students of various neurodegenerative and neurological disorders and difficulties, their psychological effects, and the link with psychological intervention.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and processes of a healthy brain and the central nervous system.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the different types of damage, both acquired brain injury and neurological diseases.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropsychological assessment of neurological deficits.
4. Discuss the link between neurological disorders and therapeutic practice.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the profession of clinical neuropsychology.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Formal Lecture (11 x 2-hours)
Directed learning	10	Specified online learning activities.
Independent Study	91	Independent learning, assignment and exam preparation.
Directed learning	2	End of Semester Examination
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to the Discipline of Neuropsychology

The Structure of the Central Nervous System

Basic Principles of Brain Asymmetry and Lateralization; Individual Differences in Brain Asymmetry – Gender and Handedness

Neurology for Neuropsychologists: Neuropsychological Assessment.

Experimental and Clinical studies; the most common Neurological Disorders

Functions of the Frontal Lobes; Disorders after Frontal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Temporal Lobes; Disorders after Temporal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Parietal Lobes; Disorders after Parietal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Occipital Lobes; Disorders after Occipital Lobe Damage

Memory and Relevant Neuropsychological Disorders

Language and Relevant Neuropsychological Disorders

Degenerative Diseases, Aging and Neuropsychology of Dementia

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Presentation	This assignment requires students to give an oral presentation on their chosen topic. Content for each topic option provided will be covered in lectures in weeks 1-5. The document outlines the assignment instructions and available topics for the presentation.	30%	n/a
Essay	This assignment requires students to write two essays on topics of their choosing. Content for each topic option provided will be covered in lectures in weeks 6-12. The document outlines the assignment instructions and available topics for the essays.	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Kolb, Brian & Whishaw, Ian: 2015, Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 7th,
J. Graham Beaumont: 0, Introduction to Neuropsychology, Second Edition, Second Edition, The Guilford Press, 978-1593850685
Lezak, M.D, Howieson, D.B. Bigler, E.D. & Tranel, D.: 2012, Neuropsychological Assessment, 5, Oxford University Press, 978-0195395525
Blumenfeld, H.: 2011, Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, 2nd, Sinauer Associates, 978-0878933839
J.-P. Changeux (Editor), A.R. Damasio (Editor), W. Singer (Editor), Y. Christen (Editor): 2005, Neurobiology of human values: Research and perspectives in neurosciences, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 978-3540262534
Connors, B. W., Paradiso, M. A., & Bear M. F.: 2006, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd, 978-0781760034
Damasio, A.R.: 2000, The feeling of what happens: body, emotion, and the making of consciousness, London, UK: Vintage Books, London, 978-0156010757
Damasio, A.R.: 2003, Looking for Spinoza. Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain, London, UK: Vintage Books, London, 978-0156028714
Damasio, A.R.: 2006, Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain, Harper Collins, New York, NY:, 978-0143036227
Damasio, A.: 2010, Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain, Pantheon Books, New York, 978-0307474957
Damasio, A., & Damasio, H.: 2012, Neurobiology of Decision-making: Research and perspectives in neurosciences, Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
Goldstein, L.H., & McNeil, J.E.: 2013, Clinical Neuropsychology. A practical guide to assessment and management for clinicians, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley and Sons,
Gurd, J., Kischka, U., Marshall, J.: 2010, The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, 978-0199234110
MD Kenneth M. Heilman, Edward Valenstein MD,: 2011, Clinical Neuropsychology, 978-0195384871
[edited by] Halligan, P.W., Kischka, U and Marshall, J.C.: 2003, Handbook of clinical neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 978-0198527763
Joseph, R.: 2011, Neuroscience: Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Brain & Mind, University Press,
Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J., & Jessell, T.: 2013, Principles of Neural Science, 5th, McGraw-Hill, London, UK,
LeDoux, J.: 1999, The emotional brain: the mysterious underpinnings of emotional life, Orion Books, London, UK,
Lezak, M.D., Howieson, D.B., Bigler, E.D., & Tranel, D.: 2012, Neuropsychological Assessment, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
Luria, A. R.: 1973, The Working Brain: An Introduction to Neuropsychology, Basic Books,
Marchall, J., Gurd, J., & Kischka, U.: 2012, The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
Purves, D., Cabeza, R., Huettel, S.A., LaBar, K.S., Platt, M.L., & Woldorff, M.G.: 2013, Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience, 2nd, Sinauer Associates,
Ramachandran, V.S.: 2012, The Tell-Tale Brain: unlocking the mystery of human nature: tales of the unexpected from inside your mind, Windmill, London, UK,
Ramachandran, V.S., & Blakeslee: 1999, Phantoms in the brain, Fourth Estate., London, UK,
Sacks, O.: 1998, The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, and Other Clinical Tales, Touchstone,
Sacks, O.: 1999, Awakenings, Vintage,
Schaff, R.C. & Zapletal, A.L.: 2010, Mastering Neuroscience: A Laboratory Guide, Saunders, St. Louis, MI,
Squire, L. R., Berg, D., Bloom, F., du Lac, S., & Ghosh, A.: 2008, Fundamental Neuroscience, 3rd, Academic Press, San Diego, CA,
Stein, J. F.: 2006, Neuroscience: an Introduction, John Wiley and Sons., Oxford, UK,
Stirling, J., & Elliott, R.: 2008, Introducing Neuropsychology, 2nd, Psychology Press, Hove and NY,
Zilmer, E. A., Spiers, M. V., & Culbertson W.: 2007, Principles of Neuropsychology, 2nd, Wadsworth Publishing,

Other Resources

61372, Website, 0, Society for Neuroscience, http://www.sfn.org/,

Programme or List of Programmes

BPY	BSc (Honours) in Psychology

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