This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and scope of Clinical Neuropsychology. It focuses primarily on the relationship between the brain and behavior, both in normal and pathological brain functioning. The course presents the normal organization, structure, and functions of the brain, with particular emphasis on higher cognitive processes. In addition, it reviews the fundamental principles, methods, and tests used in neuropsychological assessment of brain functions, accompanied by demonstrations of widely used neuropsychological tools. The contribution of neuropsychological evaluation to diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of brain disorders involving cognitive dysfunction is also highlighted. The course further discusses major neurological and psychiatric disorders that present with neuropsychological impairments, offering a detailed description of the patients’ neuropsychological profiles. Special attention is given to the basic principles and methods of neuropsychological rehabilitation of higher cognitive functions and language disorders across different clinical populations.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to:

• have acquired fundamental knowledge regarding the organization, structure, and functions of the human brain
• become familiar with the most prevalent neuropsychological methods and tests for assessing neuropsychological disorders
• understand the nature of the neuropsychological disorders covered in the course and their effects on cognition, behavior, personality, and the individual’s psychosocial, academic, and occupational functioning
• be able to comparatively evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of various neuropsychological rehabilitation methods across different disorders

• Promoting free, creative and inductive thinking
• Searching, analysing and synthesising data and information, using the necessary new technologies
• Decision-making ability
• Work Independently
• Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
• Demonstrate social, professional and ethical responsibility
• Sensitivity to gender issues

• Organization of the human brain, behavior, and cognitive functions
• The lobes of the brain: Basic functions and disorders
• Methods for assessing brain functions with emphasis on cognitive processes
• Basic principles of Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment: Evaluation of General Intellectual Ability and Language Functions
• Fundamental methods and tests for assessing Memory/Learning, Attention, and Processing Speed
• Fundamental methods and tests for assessing Visuospatial and Executive Functions
• Neuropsychological functions and assessment in Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Strokes
• Neuropsychological functions and assessment in Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Brain Tumors
• Neuropsychological functions and assessment in Autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Neuropsychological functions and assessment in Psychoses
• Basic principles of neuropsychological rehabilitation: Rehabilitation of Attention, Memory/Learning, and Executive Functions
• Neuropsychological rehabilitation of Aphasia, Apraxia, and Agnosia: Rehabilitation of Language Disorders

• Written examination at the end of the semester, which includes closed-ended items (e.g., multiple-choice), true/false questions, and fill-in-the-blank items
• Language of assessment: Greek
• Relevant information is announced on the course’s e-class page.

Suggested Bibliography (Eudoxus)

1. Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. (2018). Βασικές αρχές νευροψυχολογίας του ανθρώπου [Fundamentals of human neuropsychology] (S. Giakoumaki & A. Kastellakis, Eds.). Gutenberg. Eudoxus ID: 77111679
2. Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., & Loring, D. W. (2012). Νευροψυχολογική εκτίμηση [Neuropsychological assessment] (L. Messinis, M. Kosmidis, & P. Papathanassopoulos, Trans. &  Eds.). Gkotsis. [Eudoxus ID: 22714869]
3. Wilson, B., Winegardner, J., Heugten, C., & Ownsworth, T. (2023). Νευροψυχολογική αποκατάσταση: διεθνές εγχειρίδιο [Neuropsychological rehabilitation. The international hanbook] (L. Messinis & P. Patrikelis, Eds.). Gutenberg. Eudoxus ID: 122079141
4. Brown, G. G., King, T. Z., Haaland, K. Y., & Crosson, B. (2024). Εγχειρίδιο νευροψυχολογίας της APA: Νευροσυμπεριφορικές διαταραχές και παθήσεις – Σύγχρονα επιστημονικά δεδομένα [APA handbook of neuropsychology: Neurobehavioral disorders and conditions – Accepted science and Open questions] (L. Messinis, M. Kosmidis, P. Patrikelis, & A. Kastellakis, Eds.). Gutenberg. Eudoxus ID: 133039571

Suggested Journals:

• Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 

• The Clinical Neuropsychologist

• Neuropsychology (APA) Neuropsychologia

• Behavioral Neurology

https://eclass.uop.gr/courses/SLT199/