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Module

PSY3018 : The Damaged Brain: Case Studies in Neuropsychology

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Quoc Vuong
  • Owning School: Psychology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0

Aims

The primary aims of this module are :
(1) Introduce students to the principles and methods of neuropsychology
(2) Introduce case studies as an experimental approach
(3) Demonstrate how the damaged brain in combination with recent brain imaging techniques can inform students about cognitive functions in areas such as vision, language, motor control and conscious awareness
(4) Develop critical analysis and oral communication skills

Original Summary:
This module introduces students to the growing field of neuropsychology which examines the relationship between brain structures and functions such as vision, language, motor control, and conscious awareness. As the title suggests, the module focuses on (1) how brain damage leads to deficits in these functions, and (2) how case studies can inform researchers about how the brain works in neurologically healthy people. For example, in prosopagnosia, lesions to the temporal lobes can lead to a profound inability to visually recognize faces (even of the individual’s own face!) but with no impaired vision. Students will critically examine neurological case studies, and learn how this method complements more recent brain imaging techniques in both healthy and damaged brains.

Outline Of Syllabus

The specific themes covered in this module are:
(1) History and development of neuropsychology
(2) Review of brain anatomy
(3) Using case studies to understand the undamaged brain
(4) Case studies across different possible functions
Vision: e.g., prosopagnosia – impairment in face recognition
Language: e.g., aphasia – deficits in language production
Memory: e.g., amnesia – memory loss following brain damage
Motor control: e.g., apraxia – deficits in motor control
(5) Imaging the healthy and damaged brain – introduction to the different techniques to see the brain (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging)
(6) Methods of assessing impact of brain damage on functions, and methods of rehabilitation

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable