29/12/24, 15:35 1-1 – Definition and history of neuropsychology – Certified Excellence
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1-1 – Definition and history of neuropsychology
Certified Excellence Team November 6, 2024
Certified Course in Neuropsychology > Module 1 – Introduction to Neuropsychology > 1-1 –
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Definition and history of neuropsychology
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Neuropsychology is a scientific and clinical discipline that studies the relationships between the
brain and behavior. It is particularly interested in the impact of brain lesions, neurological
diseases, and brain dysfunctions on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions.
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29/12/24, 15:35 1-1 – Definition and history of neuropsychology – Certified Excellence
Historically, the origins of neuropsychology date back to the 19th century with the pioneering
works of Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke. Broca first described aphasia, a language disorder
caused by a specific brain lesion, while Wernicke identified another form of aphasia related to a
lesion in a different region of the brain. These discoveries paved the way for the study of
anatomical-clinical correlations, that is, the links between specific brain areas and specific
cognitive functions.
In the 20th century, the works of Alexander Luria, considered the father of modern
neuropsychology, greatly contributed to the development of the discipline. Luria proposed a
systematic approach to the assessment of cognitive functions in relation to different brain
regions, thus establishing the basis for modern neuropsychological examination. His detailed
clinical observations of brain-injured patients helped refine our understanding of the neuronal
substrates of memory, language, attention, and executive functions.
Simultaneously, the advances in brain imaging techniques during the second half of the 20th
century revolutionized neuropsychology. The advent of computed tomography (CT scan), then
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), made it possible to visualize in vivo brain lesions and
establish more precise correlations between the affected areas and observed deficits. More
recently, functional imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and
functional MRI have opened the way to study brain activations during the performance of
cognitive tasks, thereby better understanding normal and pathological brain functioning.
Today, neuropsychology is a discipline in its own right, at the interface of neuroscience,
psychology, and medicine. It has numerous clinical applications in the diagnosis, assessment,
and management of patients with neurological disorders or neurodevelopmental pathologies.
Neuropsychologists practice in various settings: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, memory clinics,
etc. They also contribute to basic and applied research aimed at better understanding the brain
basis of cognition and developing new therapeutic approaches.
In summary, neuropsychology was born from the desire to understand how our brain underpins
our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how brain damage can disrupt these functions. Its
history is marked by major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of brain function
and paved the way for better patient care. Today more than ever, neuropsychology occupies a
central place in clinical neuroscience and represents a field of research and application in
constant evolution.
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29/12/24, 15:35 1-1 – Definition and history of neuropsychology – Certified Excellence
Key Takeaways:
– Neuropsychology is a scientific and clinical discipline that studies the relationships between
the brain and behavior, particularly the impact of brain lesions, neurological diseases, and brain
dysfunctions on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions.
– The origins of neuropsychology date back to the 19th century with the works of Paul Broca
and Carl Wernicke on aphasia, establishing the first anatomical-clinical correlations.
– Alexander Luria, considered the father of modern neuropsychology, proposed a systematic
approach to the assessment of cognitive functions in relation to brain regions, laying the
foundation for modern neuropsychological examination.
– Advances in brain imaging (CT, MRI, PET, fMRI) have revolutionized neuropsychology by
enabling the visualization of brain lesions and the study of brain activations during cognitive
tasks.
– Neuropsychology has numerous clinical applications in the diagnosis, assessment, and
management of patients with neurological disorders or neurodevelopmental pathologies.
– Neuropsychologists also contribute to basic and applied research aimed at better
understanding the brain basis of cognition and developing new therapeutic approaches.
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29/12/24, 15:35 1-1 – Definition and history of neuropsychology – Certified Excellence
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