NEUROLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR

ASSIGNMENT 1

GROUP MEMBERS:

Areesha Khalid - 014

Arooj Fatima – 016

Asma Qamar – 019

Durr-e-Shehwar – 026

Elishba Altaf – 027

Hania Javed – 108

SUBMITTED TO:

Dr. Ayesha Inam

QUESTION NO: 1
Discuss the application of Neuropsychology in different fields and current trends in the field
of neuropsychology citing at least 10 research articles.

ANSWER:
Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between the brain
and behavior. It involves the assessment and treatment of individuals with cognitive,
emotional, and behavioral impairments resulting from brain injury or neurological illness.
Neuropsychologists apply their knowledge of brain function to various fields, including
clinical psychology, rehabilitation, education, forensic psychology, and neuroscience
research.
APPLICATION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE:

Clinical psychology is concerned with understanding behavioral problems whereas,

neuropsychology is concerned with the affective, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations of
diseases of the central nervous system, particularly those affecting the brain, in adults and
children. Neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of how one's brain functions, which
indirectly yields information about the structural and functional integrity of your brain.
Harvey PD. (2012) in research stated a performance-based method of neuropsychological
assessment to assess cognitive functioning in clinical setting to examine the cognitive
consequences of brain damage, brain disease, and severe mental illness is highly sought after.
There are several specific uses of neuropsychological assessment, including collection of
diagnostic information, differential diagnostic information, assessment of treatment response,
and prediction of functional potential and functional recovery. The research anticipate that
clinical neuropsychological assessment will continue to be used, even in the face of advances
in imaging technology, because it is already well known that the presence of significant brain
changes can be associated with nearly normal cognitive functioning, while individuals with
no lesions detectable on imaging can have substantial cognitive and functional limitations.
Luvsannyam et al., (2022) studied although schizophrenia is a complex syndrome that is
difficult to manage, recent neuroscientific advances in ongoing research studies and clinical
trials are contributing to the management of schizophrenia. Investigating the neurobiological
processes behind behavioral disorders, including schizophrenia, will facilitate a better
understanding of the pathogenesis and targeted therapy. Numerous genes have yet to be
identified and may be associated with the variations in the disease, severity of cognitive
impairment, and effectiveness of treatment. Further studies should integrate different
domains, including genetics, biochemistry, and anatomy. A combination of all these factors
will provide a deeper understanding of the neuro-pathophysiology of schizophrenia for
clinicians, therefore, will contribute to the development of treatment for the illness.

Current Trends:
The latest clinical purposes of neuropsychological assessments are mentioned below:
 1. Diagnostic information for detection of dementias or other traumatic conditions
2. Differential diagnosis of dementias vs fewer complex conditions
3. Measurement of functional potential
4. Course of degenerative conditions
5. Measurement of recovery of functioning
6. Measurement of treatment response

APPLICATION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY:

In forensic psychology, neuropsychological assessments have been used to assess the

cognitive abilities of defendants in criminal cases, particularly in cases where the defendant
claims to have diminished capacity or insanity. A study by Morgan and colleagues (2018)
found that neuropsychological assessments were useful in assessing the cognitive abilities of
defendants with traumatic brain injury but cautioned that neuropsychological assessments
should not be used as the sole basis for legal decisions.
Another study by Demakis and colleagues (2017) found that neuropsychological assessments
were useful in assessing the cognitive abilities of defendants with schizophrenia. The study
found that neuropsychological assessments were more sensitive than traditional clinical
interviews in detecting cognitive deficits in individuals with schizophrenia.
Current Trends:
Neuropsychology has important applications in forensic psychology, particularly in assessing
the cognitive abilities of defendants and understanding the neural basis of behavior. Current
trends in neuropsychology include the use of fMRI to investigate the neural basis of behavior
and the use of VR to test cognitive interventions. Neuropsychological assessments can
provide valuable information in legal cases but should not be used as the sole basis for legal
decisions.

APPLIATION OF NEUROSCIENCES IN EDUCATION:

Neuropsychology in an education setting acts as a pillar that enables us to implement

strategies in our classrooms that enhance learning processes, emotion management, and
student behavior. neuroscience regularly train the faculty in this area, understanding how
attention, perception, memory, and motivation function in the learning process is a crucial
component that enables us to teach kids while taking into account their developmental stage.
To make sure that learning times, spaces, and activities are optimally structured, schools need
to be aware of how the children and young adults they teach are affected by fatigue, food,
exercise, and emotions. Experiences shape the brain, which makes stimulating settings crucial
when considering the neuropsychological underpinnings at each developmental stage. We are
aware that a certain amount of excitement enhances brain function. Applications of
neuropsychology in education,.(2020), The understanding of the significance of executive
functions complex mental processes we must employ to accomplish a goal learning is made
possible by neuropsychology. These include skills related to attention, working memory,
planning, decision-making, process assessment, reasoning, and cognitive flexibility, as well
as the capacity to pay attention to the right stimuli while ignoring the wrong distractions or
managing one's time. In order to create assistance programs to address learning issues, these
foundations also assist us in determining the root reasons of those difficulties.

Current Trends:
The current trends in neuropsychology in an educational setting are behavioral research and
educational research. Contributions of behavioral science approaches to teaching basic
reading comprehension in schools. To keep learning that much of the success that students
and online learners experience comes from making the right choices, behavioral science helps
motivate people and drive behavioral change. Draw from a collection of lab and field
researched strategies and techniques and apply them to academic innovation tools. Homkes-
Hayes, (2018) Educational research uses scientific methods to study best practices in the
classroom. Educational research aims to develop new knowledge about the context of
teaching and learning in order to improve educational practice.

APPLICATION OF NEUROSCIENCE IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH:

Blair, R. (2003) in his research probs the neurobiological reasons for psychopathy. With
regard to psychopathy, we have clear indications regarding why the pathology gives rise to
the emotional and behavioral disturbance and important insights into the neural systems
implicated in this pathology. The suggestion is that the pathology of individuals with
psychopathy detrimentally affects two processes that are required for socialization, i.e.,
aversive conditioning and instrumental learning. This is thought to result from amygdala
dysfunction potentially compounded by OFC dysfunction. However, the reasons for this
dysfunction remain unknown. The noradrenergic system could be implicated but why this
system should be dysfunctional is, again, unknown. An answer is likely to follow an
understanding of the genetic architecture and morphogenesis of the forebrain.
The contribution of neuropsychology to psychiatry: SE Keefe. (1995) discusses contributions
of neuropsychology to psychiatry, based on a review of all research articles from major
journals in psychiatry and clinical psychology since 1991 that focused on neuropsychological
(NP) assessment of psychiatric patients and a selective review of other journals and earlier
studies. The author considers the validity of 3 assumptions about NP test performance data
and the underutilized practical applications of NP assessment in psychiatry. In addition to
testing models of regional brain dysfunction in psychiatric disorders, NP tests can provide an
improved understanding of the relation between central cognitive impairments and
symptoms, can serve to identify cognitive predictors of course of illness, and may be used to
discriminate among heterogeneous forms of some psychiatric disorders. Clinically, NP test
data can be used to develop treatment strategies tailored for an individual's cognitive
strengths and deficits.

Current Trends:
Neuropsychology can add to how we might interpret mind capability and conduct through
research on points like consideration, memory, feeling, language, and independent direction.
Now a days Neuropsychology focuses both on basic research and on applied, clinical
research, to stimulate systematic investigation into brain-behavior relationships and to
improve clinical practice. Neuropsychology seeks to communicate the best research and ideas
in the field from throughout the world. Now neuropsychologists apply the understanding
gleaned through research to create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve
lives.

APPLICATION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY IN RECOVERY AND

REHABILITATION

Howard, M (1987) in his research presents a comprehensive analysis of the very

important clinical issue of recovery of function after head injury. It emphasizes recent
advances in the outcome of head injury and provides a critical commentary on
methodological problems. The use of clinical neuropsychological procedures, laboratory-
based cognitive tasks, psychiatric interviewing and radiological techniques to assess the
outcome of head injury. The volume will be of particular use to neurologists, neurosurgeons
and clinical psychologists. With improvements in trauma care, the number of young people
surviving head injury with varying degrees of brain damage has increased, so the question of
their neurobehavioral recovery is timely.

Diller et al., (1987) studied about who have experienced brain damage or other
neurological issues, neuropsychology can aid in the development of rehabilitation programs.
The goals of these initiatives are to improve social, intellectual, and mental capacity. In terms
of mental health, a neuropsychologist's primary responsibility is to first describe the type and
severity of cognitive impairment and to give an idea of how those deficits might affect
functioning and neuropsychologist is a specialized type of psychologist who studies the
relationship between the brain and behavior. He or she can diagnose and evaluate a traumatic
brain injuries patient’s deficit and recommend some therapies to help the patient.

Common Trends:
Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the work of neuropsychologists.
This includes assessing and treating patients with the help of mobile apps, virtual reality
simulations, and other digital tools. Understanding how the brain can change and adapt over
time is becoming increasingly popular. Brain plasticity is being promoted in novel ways by
neuropsychologists, including through cognitive training programs and other interventions.

APPLICATION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY IN BEHAVIORAL SETTING:

The term behavioral neuropsychology may appear to be tautology because neuropsychology

itself is the discipline that has to do with relationships between the nervous system and
behavior. However, in recent years, the term has been generally understood as having to do
with the interdisciplinary relationship that has been established by neuropsychologists and
behavior therapists.
Battista, P., (2020) In his research one of the current challenges in the field of
neuropsychology in behavioral setting is to identify patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Artificial intelligence in particular machine learning has established as one of more powerful
approach to extract reliable predictors and to automatically classify different AD phenotypes.
We performed a meta- analysis to assess the contribution and neuropsychological measures in
the behavioral setting. The result of meta-analysis shows that neuropsychological measures
can lead to a successful automatic classification on the behavioral setting.
Nat Rev Neurosci, (2018) in his research says, brain implants are being trailed for their
potential to ameliorate behavioral treatment- resistant conditions in neuropsychology and its
function is to restore them. However, there are no clear guidelines for continued access to
brain implants for trial participants of neuropsychology in the behavioral settings whose
symptoms improve with these devices. Public and private research sponsors are investing in
the development of next- generation deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems, brain- computer
interfaces (BCLs) and neuropsychology/neuro-prosthetics. This device aims to ameliorate
serious treatment- resistant.
Current Trends:
Top current trends in the field of neuropsychology in behavioral setting.
•Artificial Intelligence
The advancement of artificial intelligence systems can help drive neuropsychology forward
and unlock the secrets of the brain in the behavioral setting. It allows neuropsychologist and
researchers to build better models to stimulate the human brain.
•Brain Implants:
By stimulating, recording or blocking neural signals, brain implants can be used to assist
scientific and medical research, to aid drug delivery, and to restore motion and
communication to those who have suffered from a neurodegenerative disease, limb loss,
paralysis, or brain damage.
QUESTION NO: 2
List down graduate programs available both nationally and internationally in the area of
neuropsychology. Include the course objects and main contents along with skills gained
through that program.
ANSWER:
The primary role of a neuropsychologist is to help understand the impact of different
disorders upon daily functioning, in terms of cognitive abilities and functional management.
To be a Neuropsychologist one has to do a master’s degree in the specific field. Mentioned
below are some graduate programs that national and international universities offer.
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN USA:
1. New York University
This course introduces clinical neuropsychology, including fundamentals of brain-behavior
relationships, functional neuroanatomy, human cortical organization, and neuropsychological
assessment.
Skills:
The learning objectives are to develop your knowledge base relating to
• human functional neuroanatomy.
• major neurological disorders.
• major neurological syndromes due to lesions to various regions of the brain.
• clinical evaluation procedures.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ENGLAND:

1. Oxford University
The MSc taught course in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience is a one-year course
designed to equip students with the transferable skills required for a career in translational
research. The course will offer you insights into a range of fields including molecular
biology, brain imaging, behavioral research and epidemiology. It is delivered by pre-clinical
and clinical research teams based in the Department of Psychiatry, in other University of
Oxford centers within the neuroscience community, and in the NIHR Oxford Cognitive
Health Clinical Research Facility.
Skills:
The course teaches you:
• a broad knowledge of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders and their current
treatments and management.
• direct experience in integrative, multidisciplinary and novel pre-clinical and clinical
research investigation for treatment discovery.
• an ability to critically appraise research methods and experimental results.
• familiarity in conceptualizing and designing experimental protocols and clinical trials
for drug/treatment discovery; and
• an opportunity to communicate research results and their clinical implications to a
wide audience.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PAKISTAN:

1. University of central Punjab:
UCP, Lahore offers masters in neuropsychology. This course covers subjects like Brain and
its Functions- Structure and Functions of Lobes, Major Structures and Functions of Brain;
Cognitive Psychology Neuroscience of Depression, Schizophrenia and Anxiety disorders;
Cerebral Lateralization Assessment of Brain Damage in Projective Tests. Test: Bender Gestalt
Test, Soloson Visual Motor Performance Test, Quick Neurological Screening Test, Mini
Mental Status Examination,
Skills:
This course helps you gain knowledge of practical knowledge of tests including
neuropsychological Status Examination, Differential Test of Aphasia, Stroop Test,
Neurological Disorders and other conditions of special concern in assessment.

2. Government College University, Lahore:

The government college university of Lahore offers the
master’s program in neuropsychology neuropsychology. The programme is designed to
provide the learner with a foundational understanding of the neurobiological aspects of
cognition, affect and behavior applications in neuropsychology in terms of
neuropsychological assessment and intervention.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN QATAR:

1. Master of Science in Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar:
This program is focused on understanding the nervous system at the molecular, cellular, and
systems levels. Students will study topics such as neuroanatomy, neurophysiology,
neuropharmacology, and neurogenesis. They will also learn about the latest techniques in
neuroscience research, such as ontogenetic and functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI). Graduates of this program will be prepared for careers in academia, industry, or
clinical practice.

2. Master of Science in Clinical Neuroscience at Hamad Bin Khalifa University:

This program is designed for students who want to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment
of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The curriculum includes courses in
neuropsychology, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroimaging, cognitive-behavioral therapy,
psychopharmacology, neurorehabilitation and rehabilitation. Students will also gain practical
experience through internships and clinical placements. Graduates will be well-prepared for
careers in clinical practice or research.
Skills:
• Understanding of the latest research methods and techniques in neuropsychology,
cognitive neuroscience, and clinical neuroscience.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and design research studies.
• Knowledge of the neural basis of behavior and mental disorders.
• Practical experience in clinical practice or research.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills for presenting research findings and collaborating
with other professionals.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN NETHERLAND:

Maastricht university in Maastricht Netherlands offers Research Master in Cognitive
Neuroscience The first part focuses on a set of modules offering theoretical and practical
research training and covers the first year as well as the first eight weeks of the second year.
First year covers Brain Damage, Behavioral Disorders, Advanced Statistics, Practical
Training: SPSS I, Neuropsychological Assessments, Biopsychology, Advanced Statistics Il,
Practical Training: SPSSIl, Human Neuroimaging, Neuropsychiatric Disorders,
Neuropsychology in Practice: From Test Results to Report and Advice, Neuropsychological
Rehabilitation, Neuropsychopharmacology, Psychopharmacology, Research Grant Writing
Workshop, Psychiatric Epidemiology. Second year covers Research Grant Writing Course,
Cognitive Development, Brain, Learning and Memory, Neuropsychological Assessment in
Children.
Skills:
Under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team of main psychologists, psychiatrists, and
psychopharmacologists as well as biologists, you will learn to use state-of-the-art clinical and
neuroimaging techniques (like EEG and fMRI) and behavioral laboratory facilities.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN RUSSIA:

 1. Masters in human development - Genetics, Neuroscience and Psychology. Offered by
Tomsk Stake University, Russia.
2. Masters in Neurosurgery. Offered by Faculty of Medicine, Russia.
3. MSc in Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition. Offered by
HSE university, Russia.
4. Moscow State University of Russia is famous for its graduate programs in
neuroscience. It's ranked #146 in Europe and #358 in the world, in the field of
neuroscience.

Skills:
These neuroscience degrees prepare specialists who analyse the structure of the brain and
how the nervous system works. Neuroscientists investigate how the most basic microscopic
operations relate to complex behaviours, like language, social interactions, or emotional
reactions. Neuroscience students take classes on Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, and
Neurobiology, and work as neurosurgeons, language therapists, or psychiatrists.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN JAPAN:
1.University of Groningen
Groningen University offers masters in cognitive neuroscience. This course cover subjects
like Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Animal Neuroscience, Human
Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Modelling, Molecular
Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological disorders, Neuroanatomy,
Neurophysiology, Neuropharmacology and Neurogenesis.
Skills:
•Cognitive Neuroscience is the study of how the brain enables the mind.
•Neuroscience explores how individual neurons operate and communicates to form complex
neuronal architectures that comprises the human brain.
•Studying the nervous system advance understanding of our basic biology and body function.
Knowing how things typically work can help shed light on what may happen when there are
problems.
•It can help researchers find way to prevent or treat problems that affect the brain, nervous
system, and body.
2. Keio University
This is also the top University of Japan which offers masters in cognitive neuroscience. Time
duration of this course is 2 years. This degree offers subjects like Cognitive Neuroscience,
Animal Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Neuropharmacology, Neurogenesis, Behavioral
Neuroscience, Human Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, Clinical Neuroscience,
Neurological Disorder and Behavioral Neuroscience.
Skills:
•Cognitive neuroscientists play an essential role in understanding the human mind due to its
fusion of neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
•They commonly devise more effective treatment methods for certain disorders by
understanding how the human mind works in conjunction with the brain's physical aspects.

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