QBI Neuroscience Seminar : Frontal lobe functions in health and disease: Evidence from neuropsychology

Event Details

Date:

Wednesday, 22 August 2018 - Wednesday, 22 August 2018

Time:

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Room:

Auditorium, Room 701, QBI Building 79

UQ Location:

Queensland Brain Institute (St Lucia)

URL:

http://qbi.uq.edu.au/neuroscience-seminars

Event category(s):

Full Description:: Speaker: Associate Professor Gail Robinson - School of Psychology
University of Queensland

Title: Frontal lobe functions in health and disease: Evidence from neuropsychology

Abstract:
The cognitive functions associated with the frontal cortex are crucial for adaptive behaviour and communication within a social context. These “executive” abilities naturally decline with age and are frequently disturbed in the context of neurological disorders affecting the brain. In this talk, I will focus on specific executive functions that play a role in cognitive control; namely, initiation and energization of ideas, response inhibition and the use of strategic processes. Evidence will come from neuropsychological studies of healthy and pathological ageing (dementia), as well as patients with focal lesions to the frontal lobe due to stroke and brain tumours. With a range of neuropsychological methods, these studies refine our understanding of high-order frontal “executive” functions, and the associated neural correlates. In addition, these studies inform development of new neurocognitive assessment tools for the detection of cognitive impairment and interventions to restore or maintain function.