Dr Gianna Cocchini BSc PhD

TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuropsychology and cognitive neuropsychology

Teaching

MSc in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience:http://mars.gold.ac.uk/pg/msc-cognitive-clinical-neuroscience/

-PS71040A : Biological Aspects of Brain Functions

-PS71043A: Clinical and Cognitive Neuropsychology

Undergraduate courses:

- PS51006A: Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology

- PS53024A: Topics in Neuropsychology

Grants & awards

G. Cocchini and S. Della Sala "Anosognosia for language disorders following brain damage" Wellcome Trust £96,822 (2007-2009).

G. Cocchini and S. Della Sala "Explicit and implicit awareness for hemiplegia in right and left brain-damaged subjects" funded by Stroke Trust £64,932 (2003-2005)

A. Cameron, G. Cocchini and S. Della Sala "Anosognosia in language disorder following stroke" funded by Grampian University Hospitals Trust £6,340 (2001)

Research interests

My research focuses on cognitive disorders that are the result of cortical brain degeneration (such as Alzheimer Disease) or a brain lesion.

With regard to Alzheimer Disease, I have carried out a few studies on specific attention and memory disorders, which can be shown in the very early phase of illness. Projects on this matter have been addressed to improve an early diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease and a better understanding of these cognitive processes in a healthy population.

With regard to cognitive impairments following brain damage, I have focused my interest on visuo-spatial disorders. In particular, my attention is centred on neglect patients who show a difficulty in attending and detecting stimuli located on the side (usually the left) opposite to their brain lesion (usually the right). A few studies have shown that unilateral neglect can also affect mental images. Part of my current work, in collaboration with colleagues in UK, Italy and Finland, is aimed at investigating the nature of the link between neglect and the ability to form and maintain mental images.

Finally, brain damage patients often show a lack of awareness (anosognosia) for their motor and cognitive impairment. For example, they may be completely unaware of their hemiplegia or their amnesia. The reasons behind this phenomenon are quite intriguing and current work in collaboration with the Edinburgh University, London and Italian hospitals includes projects on anosognosia for motor deficits and for language disorders after left- and right-brain damage. The studies focuses on clinical and theoretical issues but also consider possible rehabilitation techniques.

Selected publications