Sandro Misciagna

By Sandro Misciagna

Part of the book: Positron Emission Tomography

By Sandro Misciagna

Part of the book: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By Misciagna Sandro

In recent years, researchers have done significant advances on the study of learning disabilities in particular in terms of comprehension of cognitive and anatomical mechanisms. The understanding of neural mechanism of learning disabilities is useful for their management and cognitive treatment. The advent of functional neuroimaging methods has also identified anatomical networks and neurological learning systems that have contributed to knowledge of neurobiology of learning deficits. On the other side, neuropsychological assessment, with comprehensive test or specific cognitive tasks, has proved to be useful to analyze specific cognitive deficits to find potential targets of intervention for cognitive compensation. In this chapter the author summarizes major scientific advances in particular in the study of neuroanatomical mechanism based on structural and functional neuroimaging of children with learning disorders, developmental disorders, and language impairment, in particular with dyslexia which is one of the most common learning disabilities.

Part of the book: Learning Disabilities

By Sandro Misciagna

EEG brain mapping is a neurophysiological technique based on computer-assisted analysis of conventional EEG. This technique, generally consisting in quantitative analysis of EEG (QEEG), includes topographic displays of frequency or voltage, statistical comparison to normal values and discriminant analysis. QEEG assessment still remains controversy about its clinical role. QEEG topographic analysis could be useful in many neurological diseases: in cerebrovascular disease EEG analysis is useful since EEG parameters are highly correlates with regional blood and metabolism; in degenerative disease (as dementia or encephalopathies) quantitative EEG frequency analysis could suggest an organic base of the disorder even if it is not able to distinguish between the types of dementia. QEEG techniques are also potentially useful in identifying anomalies in patients with cerebral trauma or in children with cognitive disorders. In the field of epilepsy EEG brain mapping could help clinics to detect spikes, locate an epileptic focus and suggest the type of epilepsy. In this chapter author describes principles of EEG brain mapping and its potential applications in particular in the epileptic field.

Part of the book: Epilepsy

By Sandro Misciagna

Learning disabilities are a heterogeneous and common group of disorders that have a relevant impact on children’s academic function. The most common learning disorders consist of dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia or other non-verbal learning disorders. These disorders are commonly associated with neurological or behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders. Understanding of cognitive and mental problems of children with learning disorders is an interesting challenge, and various approaches have been applied for their study, including medical, genetic, educational, epidemiologic and experimental psychologist. Nowadays, clinical neuropsychological approach, which is based on neurocognitive models, is one of the best existing models for description and interpretation of learning disorders. This approach assumes that there is a strong relationship between the various learning deficits and brain functioning. This paper consists of a descriptive review about components of a specialized neuropsychological approach that can be applied for the assessment of children with learning disabilities.

Part of the book: Learning Disabilities

By Sandro Misciagna

Grow in aging has led to an increasing number of people presenting with cognitive impairment and dementia. Most forms of dementia are classified by means of morphological techniques, assays of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and neuropsychological assessment, into degenerative forms, dementia of vascular type and dementia secondary to other conditions. It is very difficult to make a clear-cut diagnosis of the different types of dementia by means of clinical methods. However, many psychometric tests play a prominent role in screening and evaluation of patients with cognitive impairment. Some tools can help clinicians in differential diagnosis among the various forms of dementia such as the ones that assess clinical aspects, tests that focus on specific cognitive areas or behavioral inventories. Still nowadays, there is not a consensus about the best strategies for screening and assessment of cognitive impairment among elderly subjects. The purpose of this chapter is to make a review of the screening tools and psychometric test instruments that healthcare professionals can use for screening and neuropsychological assessment of geriatric individuals with cognitive disorders to help diagnosis of dementia and to make differential diagnosis of the most common forms of dementia.

Part of the book: Psychometrics

By Sandro Misciagna

Part of the book: Psychometrics

By Sandro Misciagna

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are functional neurological disorders that mimic epileptic seizures. Over the past decades, relevant advancements have been made in the diagnosis, neurobiological understanding and management of PNES. This chapter is a review about epidemiology, comorbidities, biomarkers, neurobiology and treatment of PNES. The author discusses in particular the diagnosis of PNES that is based on clinical history, semiology, presence of witness and instrumental features. Neuroimaging studies suggest that PNES may occur in a context of anatomical alterations that regulate sensorimotor functions, emotional processing, cognitive control and multimodal integration of brain functions. The gold standard of PNES instrumental assessment remains video electroencephalography, showing the absence of epileptiform activity during the event and the absence of slow activity after the event. Several studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the importance of psychological treatments and in particular cognitive behavioral therapy. Further future studies are necessary to investigate about similarities and differences between psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, real epileptic seizures and other psychosomatic disorders. We also need studies for more appropriate psychotherapies and treatment guidelines.

Part of the book: Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders in Clinical Practice