Cognitive Neurosciences and Psychological Rehabilitation

Obiettivi generali Providing knowledge about the neuroimaging techniques in the field con cognitive neuroscience, the degree of causal evidence of each one and their contribution to understanding the relation between the mind and the brain (6 CFU of theoretical activities). Practical and methodological skills will be acquired (3 CFU of practical activities). Obiettivi specifici Knowledge and understanding. Understanding the topics, from both theoretical and methodological perspectives, along with the analyses pipelines devoted to disclosing the relation between brain and the mind, in both normal and pathological functioning, with reference to different levels of causal evidence. Applying knowledge and under-standing. Developing a critical thinking of the topics, identifying the strengths and limitations of the various methodological approaches. Acquiring the practical knowledge of the experimental paradigms, by means of laboratories activities. By the end of the course, students will have acquired skills in the main neuroimaging methods, including lesion mapping, structural and functional brain imaging. Making judgements. Understanding and critically analyze evidence from neuroimaging studies, recognizing strengths and limits. These skills will be acquired through the critical analysis of international scientific articles, which the student will have discuss in the classroom discussing the strengths, limits and future perspectives. Planning an experimental neuroimaging study based on an independent literature search. Communication skills. Acquiring the ability to clearly present an original research project, which has to be designed in small groups of students. Communications skills should include the ability to convey the main aspects of a neuroimaging study, theoretical premises, the hypothesis and the objectives, the method, and the expected results, using a technical language. Learning skills. Acquiring theoretical, methodological, and experimental skills, which allow students to design and conduct neuroimaging studies, as well as analyze neuroimaging data for testing specific experimental hypotheses.