Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This subject reviews the neuroanatomy of the human brain and spinal cord at the level of detail required by the practicing clinical neuropsychologist. Emphasis is placed on structure-function relationships, and how different brain regions interact to regulate complex cognitive skills. Students also learn about the clinical neurological examination and neuroimaging, with an emphasis placed on what these methods allow us to infer regarding underlying neuroanatomy and lesions. In addition, students will learn about neurogenetics, and how genetic disorders link to variations in neuroanatomy that underpin behavioural manifestations of these neurogenetic disorders. Students learn: 1) to identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord, using prosected specimens, models and cross-sectional images; 2) to understand the structural and functional relationships between these features; and, 3) to be able to apply this knowledge to the clinical situation.

Objectives

At the completion of the subject, students should

1. Identify the major components of pathways associated with smell, vision, hearing, touch, balance, taste, movement, memory, emotion, and language.
2. Be familiar with the external anatomy of the brain, to be able to name and identify each part and describe its contribution to behavioural and cognitive function.
3. Be able to identify the main subcortical nuclei and their functions.
4. Be able to identify the fibre tracts in the brain and spinal cord and describe their function.
5. Be able to identify each major blood vessel in the brain and describe the functional consequences of infarction for each vessel.
6. Be fluent in the terminology used to navigate the brain and describe brain structures.
7. Be familiar with neurogenetic disorders and their manifestation in brain anatomy.
8. Be knowledgeable about the clinical neurological examination and how neurologists denote and interpret their findings.
9. Be familiar with the most common forms of imaging relevant to clinical neurology and neuropsychology.
10. Have a view of how cognition and behaviour are implemented in neural tissues from the cellular to systems levels of analysis.

Assessment

Weekly assignments will be worth 80% and will consist of practical tests or exercises, short answer or multiple choice questions covering unit material, on the spot testing using brain spec brain images, etc. The final assessment is worth 20% and will be a combination of similar methods as the weekly assignments.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Russell Conduit