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  1. Courses

505104 - CLINICAL AND FORENSIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

courses
ID:
505104
Duration (hours):
36
CFU:
6
SSD:
PSICOBIOLOGIA E PSICOLOGIA FISIOLOGICA
Year:
2025
  • Overview
  • Syllabus
  • Degrees
  • People

Overview

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (16/02/2026 - 05/06/2026)

Syllabus

Course Objectives

Training Objectives


- Primary Objectives:
The course falls within the field of cognitive neuroscience and addresses physiological and pathological cognitive-behavioral processes in both clinical and forensic settings. Various topics of interest in neuropsychology will be covered, with implications in both theoretical and experimental aspects, as well as numerous clinical application contexts. Students will gain theoretical knowledge regarding legal and ethical aspects, with a particular focus on the interaction with neuroscience. The challenges of this interaction concerning semantic encoding, methodology, and the preparation of interdisciplinary documents (e.g., expert reports) will be discussed. The main objective is to define the role of neuropsychology in the context of the law, both in civil and criminal domains.

-Secondary objectives:
Students will also be provided with knowledge concerning evaluation and cognitive rehabilitation techniques in specific contexts, such as remote interventions, in addition to fundamental skills concerning various methodological tools.

During the course, the knowledge of the English language will also be implemented.

Expected learning outcomes

a) By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between neuropsychology, cognitive sciences, and the legal system. They will be able to critically assess the complex interaction between neuroscience and the law and will be equipped with foundational competencies to critically evaluate suitable evaluation and rehabilitation methodologies in various legal contexts.

b)Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the aforementioned evaluation and rehabilitation techniques.

Course Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites related to legal and forensic knowledge to enroll in the course. However, a review of neurobiological correlates of behavior is recommended. In particular, a solid understanding of the cognitive and emotional processes characterizing a healthy individual is necessary. Furthermore, a comprehensive knowledge of neural architecture and the major behavioral disorders and syndromes associated with selective damage to specific brain regions and circuits is required. Prerequisite knowledge refers to the completion of courses in Physiological Psychology and Cognitive Rehabilitation during the undergraduate degree or equivalent.

Teaching Methods

The course will adopt a variety of teaching methods to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

For each CFU (25 hours) there are:
4 hours of didactics in delivery mode-DE. In addition to traditional lectures, we will host expert professionals from various areas of neuropsychological research and clinical practice, such as lawyers, ethicists, neuropsychologists, and neuroscientists. These experts will share their knowledge and experiences with the students, offering a unique opportunity to deepen the understanding of different applications of neuropsychology in both legal and clinical contexts. The lectures will be conducted in person, ensuring access to the teaching material through the university platform KIRO. Students will be able to download lectures, review slides, and access other educational resources, enabling them to delve into the content covered during the course. It is important to note that there will be no differentiation of the curriculum between attending and non-attending students. All students will have the opportunity to access the course content and fully benefit from the educational resources available.

2 hours of interactive teaching-DI.

Students will also be invited to participate in the presentation and active discussion of real clinical cases.

19 hours of self-study on texts from the course bibliography, provided slides, assigned scientific articles and provided clinical cases.
In order to facilitate inclusive teaching, the lecturer provides up to 2 hours per week of reception, by appointment.

The course aims to provide a stimulating and inclusive learning environment that encourages active student participation and promotes a deep understanding of clinical and forensic neuropsychology. In accordance with the University Guidelines on the delivery mode of teaching in the academic year 2023/2024, the course will be conducted through in-person attendable lectures scheduled at specific dates and times.

Assessment Methods

The exam will be an oral assessment on a scale of 30 points. The exam will cover all the topics discussed during the course, as well as those proposed in the textbooks indicated in the syllabus. The evaluation will be based on the completeness of the answers provided by the students, their ability to argue and critically apply the knowledge acquired during the course to real or realistic cases. The student's capacity to present answers clearly and coherently will also be taken into consideration. The aim of the evaluation is to assess a deep understanding of the topics and the students' ability to effectively apply theoretical knowledge to clinical and forensic practice. Students will be encouraged to demonstrate their critical analysis and problem-solving skills in complex neuropsychological contexts, as well as their ability to connect the various topics covered during the course.

Texts

Lecture notes and slides

Stracciari, A., Berti, A., Bottini, G., (2016) "Manuale di valutazione neuropsicologica dell'adulto". Ed. Il Mulino
ISBN: 978-8815259011

Contents

The course programme includes the following contents:

The course will address the theoretical foundations of modern Neuropsychology and its practical applications in Clinical and Forensic settings:
• Introduction to Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychology;
• Ethics in Neuroscience;
• Managing the relationship with the patient and the subject undergoing examination;
• Capacity to understand and consent;
• Assessment tools;
• Simulation;
• Emotional Processes and their alterations due to brain injuries: identifying disorders and analyzing investigative paradigms;
• Medical-legal and forensic aspects of substance abuse;
• Evaluation of driving capacity and license renewal;
• Remote assessment and rehabilitation tools;
• Good Clinical Practices.
In addition to Prof. Bottini, some expert faculty members in this field will conduct seminars during the course. Examples of the use of functional neuroimaging techniques in investigating the functioning of brain structures will be presented, with a particular focus on illustrative clinical cases.

The contents of the course will be addressed with consideration of ethical-deontological principles, which, depending on the specific topic, will be described in detail by the lecturer, both from a theoretical point of view and with direct connection to practical activity (e.g. through the discussion of case examples).

Course Language

Italian

More information

The course will be held face-to-face, unless health risks arise. Alternatively, it will be carried out through the Zoom.Us platform. As part of the University's activities for Innovative Teaching and to promote inclusion, the instructor ensures up to two hours of weekly office hours, to be arranged with the instructor directly.

Degrees

Degrees (2)

PSYCHOLOGY 
Master’s Degree
2 years
PSYCHOLOGY 
Master’s Degree
2 years
No Results Found

People

People

BOTTINI GABRIELLA
AREA MIN. 11 - Scienze storiche, filosofiche, pedagogiche e psicologiche
Settore PSIC-01/B - Neuropsicologia e neuroscienze cognitive
Gruppo 11/PSIC-01 - PSICOLOGIA GENERALE, NEUROPSICOLOGIA E NEUROSCIENZE COGNITIVE, PSICOMETRIA
Professore Ordinario
No Results Found
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