B2979 - Cognitive Neuroscience

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to describe the neurophysiological bases of mental functions, and specifically of cognitive functions.

All our behaviours are generated by changes in neuronal activity, which can be described from different points of view (molecular, biochemical, or electrical). Specific neuronal activation or deactivation produces specific behaviours. Not long ago attributing a particular aspect of behaviour to an unobservable mental process (such as planning a movement or remembering an event) was thought to be a reason for excluding this aspect of behaviour from experimental analysis. Today our ability to visualize functional changes during normal mental activity permits even complex cognitive processes to be studied directly.

We will start from the analysis of differences between the human brain and the brain of other animal species. In particular, we will explore cerebral cortex organization through a comparative approach. Then neurophysiological bases of cognitive functions, such as attention, learning and memory, emotions and sleep, will be illustrated.

Course contents

Course contents:

1. Human brain evolution (Zoccoli)

2. Executive Functions (Bosco)

3. Decision Making (Bosco)

4. Emotion: the limbic system (Zoccoli)

5. Learning and Memory (Zoccoli)

5.1 Explicit and Implicit memory

5.2 Memory disorders

6. Attention (Bosco)

7. Sleep (Zoccoli)

The course will take place during the first semester (from September to December 2024). Lessons will be held in Bologna site

Readings/Bibliography

D Purves, R Cabeza, SA Huttel et al. Principles of Cognitive Nuroscience, Sinauer Associates, 2nd edition, 2013

or

M Gazzaniga, RB Ivry, GR Mangun, Cognitive Neuroscience: the biology of the mind W. W. Norton & Company; 5th edition, 2019

Teaching methods

The Course consists of 7 CFU, corresponding to 56 hours of teaching. The teaching is divided between Prof. Zoccoli (3,5 CFU) and Prof. Bosco (3,5 CFU). The exam program is covered in its entirety during the course. The lessons are based on frontal teaching. There will be moments of discussion on topics indicated by the students.

Assessment methods

The assessment test is aimed at verifying the acquisition by students of theoretical knowledge relating to the topics presented in class.

The exam is carried out in written form and will include 6 open-ended questions (3 on the part of the program carried out by Prof. Zoccoli, 3 on the part of the program carried out by Prof. Bosco), to be answered in 1 hour; the final score (out of thirty) is given by the algebric sum of the score reported in the six questions, with a maximum evaluation of 5 points per question; the exam is passed with a score equal to or greater than 18/30. The achievement by the student of an organic vision of the topics discussed during the exam combined with their critical use, and the use specific language are evaluated with marks of excellence. The mostly mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of the subjects, not articulated ability to synthesize and analysis and / or a correct but not always appropriate language lead to discrete evaluations; partially incomplete knowledge and / or inappropriate language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the exam material - lead to marks that reaches sufficiency. Incomplete knowledge, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the teaching materials offered during the course are negatively evaluated. Insufficient evaluation of the answer to even one of the three questions makes the exam insufficient.During the test it is not allowed to use support material such as: textbooks, notes, computer supports.

At the end of the course there will be a test reserved for attending students, as described above. The exact date will be communicated in class, or can be requested from the teachers after the course has started.

Teaching tools

Slides (PowerPoint) and reading material for this course can be downloaded from the website:

https://virtuale.unibo.it/

by students enrolled at the University of Bologna (University institutional username and password required).

Office hours

See the website of Giovanna Zoccoli

See the website of Annalisa Bosco