NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OF COGNITIVE PROCESSES
cod. 1005488

Academic year 2023/24
1° year of course - First semester
Professor
Leonardo FOGASSI
Academic discipline
Fisiologia (BIO/09)
Field
Attività formative affini o integrative
Type of training activity
Related/supplementary
42 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

The aim of the course is to study in depth the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the main cognitive functions and some examples of animal and human behaviour. Some neuropsychological syndromes will be also described. Students will also begin to learn a critical reading of scientific articles

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of neuron physiology and of the neurophysiology of sensory and motor functions

Course unit content

General principles of the organization of cerebral cortex in relation to cognitive functions. Description of the main experimental approaches to the investigation of cognitive functions. Neurophysiological coding of space. Attention. Face recognition. Object perception and object pragmatic description. Perception of biological stimuli. Neurobiological models of learning and memory. Language and communication: Phylogenetic and neurobiological aspects. Emotions.

Full programme

Introduction to neurophysiological and neuropsychological approach to cognitive functions. High order visual processing. Recognition of objects, biological motion and faces. General properties of voluntary motor control. Parieto-frontal circuits. Neurophysiological coding of space. Spatial attention and neglect. Encoding of motor goals and pragmatic description of objects. Apraxia. Neurobiological models of learning and memory. Amnesic syndrome. Language and communication: Phylogenetic and neurobiological aspects. Aphasia. Emotions and stress.

Bibliography

Zigmond M.J. et al. Neuroscienze. Ed. Edises
Pinel. Psicobiologia. Ed. Il Mulino
Kandel, Schwartz and Jessel. Principi di Neuroscienze. Ed. Ambrosiana
Rizzolatti, Sinigaglia: So quel che fai. Il cervello che agisce e i neuroni specchio. Ed.Cortina.
Gazzaniga, Ivry and Mangun, Neuroscienze Cognitive. Ed. Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Traditional lesson, seminars, article reading and discussion.

Assessment methods and criteria

Final oral examination on the suggested textbooks, on lectures and on further material uploaded on Elly.

Other information

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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development

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