To diagnose and treat neuropsychological disorders, clinical neuropsychologists need to have an in-depth understanding of the relationship between brain and behaviour across the lifespan. This course provides insight into neurocognitive processes relevant for the field of clinical neuropsychology. By deepening fundamental knowledge about neuroanatomy and its link with cognition, this course provides students with a theoretical framework for application in clinical practice and scientific research.

This course provides theoretical foundations in the clinical neuropsychological assessment and diagnostic work-up of cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral consequences as result of (possible) neurological or neuropsychiatric disease in adolescent, adult and elderly patients. All instructors are (clinical) neuropsychologists working in the (academic) health service. 

Neuropsychological intervention is an important aspect of the neurorehabilitation of patients. It concerns cognitive and emotional dysfunction due to brain injury resulting from stroke, traffic accidents, genetic dysfunctions and long term occupational exposure to neurotoxic solvents.

This master course consists of a theoretical and a practical part, which will be offered simultaneously. The more theoretical part consists of lectures and web lectures on general aspects of neurological deficits and specific interventions in disorders for different etiologies and afflictions. In subgroups students will examine intervention strategies, their background and applicability, and present a poster on a specific intervention strategy. The practical part consists of small group sessions (seminars) running parallel to these lectures. Students will be taught basic techniques such as providing psycho-education, teaching restorative techniques, and teaching compensatory mechanisms. Theoretical and practical issues in treatment planning and execution will be discussed. In subgroups students will write and apply an intervention strategy on a case, and reflect on this process.

Clinical Neuropsychology is a relatively young scientific field with rapid developments in the theoretical and practical domain. Innovation is therefore very important to this fast-moving discipline. In this course we will discuss how (technological) innovation can contribute to the professional activities of the clinical neuropsychologist. Such developments should also be examined with a critical scientific attitude, which will also be discussed throughout the course. This will be done during lectures and seminar meetings.

This course will discuss a range of study designs and methods that are commonly used in neuropsychological research of both types. This includes observational designs, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, and treatment evaluation designs, ranging from case reports and single case experimental design to randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Furthermore, a strong focus on physiological measurements will highlight contemporary ways in which the link between brain and behavior is studied, in the lab but especially in applied clinical settings. Examples of topics are meta-analysis, longitudinal cohort studies, clinical significance, biomarkers, MRI, EEG, etc.

This course provides the theoretical foundation for neuropsychological assessment and treatment of children and adolescents, through a consideration of views and theories related to neurodevelopmental conditions. This course aims to provide an understanding of the neurological and neuropsychological characteristics associated with various conditions. The impact on cognitive, emotional, behavioural, academic, social functioning and family will be discussed. Additionally, it addresses topics related to neuropsychological assessment, from a developmental perspective.