| Unit name | Neuropsychiatry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYC31053 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Stothart |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Historically, neurology and psychiatry were closely linked. In the last century, abnormal behaviour experienced different explanatory approaches by neurologists (body) and psychiatrists (mind). This unit will provide information on the historical foundation of neuropsychiatry, and consequently, demonstrate that common syndromes dealt with in Abnormal Psychology are also observable in patients with circumscribed brain lesions. In particular, this unit will deal with the most prevailing psychiatric phenomena such as major psychoses (schizophrenia, depression), anxiety, obsession, drug addiction, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Further examples are presented to illustrate the relationship between focal brain lesions and abnormal behaviour (e.g. phantom limb, out-of-body experiences, hysteria, alien hand syndrome, Capgras delusion, Fregoli delusion). Psychiatric issues in healthy ageing will also be addressed, along with psychiatric co-morbidity in neurodegenerative disease. In sum, the current unit intends to contribute to the ongoing body-mind debate, with the specific goal to demonstrate that psychiatric disorders are as organic as established neurological disorders.
On completion of the unit, the students will: 1. Have developed a thorough understanding of contemporary issues and methodological approaches to the study of Neuropsychiatry. 2. Have a comprehensive understanding of the application of these approaches in the literature. 3. Have further improved their transferable skills.
18 x 1 hour lectures and 4 x 1 hour tutorials
Coursework: 1x 1600 word essay Examination: 1 x 2 hour exam
Final Grade: Based on 30% coursework and 70% exam
Every Abnormal Psychology textbook (available from the library, common author names are: i) Davison and Neale, ii) Hansell, and iii) Comer) describes the basic psychiatric syndromes, and importantly here the related symptoms. Watch out for books published 2013 or younger including the DSM-5; though versions based on the DSM-IV-R will also be fine. Every Neuropsychology textbook can help understanding the link between anatomy and function (see 2nd year unit, common authors are Kolb and Whishaw). Most literature for this unit comes from original journal articles. Examples illustrating psychiatric symptoms from a neurological perspective will be given in each lecture. These references are journal articles available electronically via the library.
