This version of the course guide is provisional until the period for editing the new course guides ends.

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Neurodegenerative Diseases and Dementias

Code: 101711 ECTS Credits: 9
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Logopedia OB 3

Contact

Name:
Ingrid Fontanals Muñoz
Email:
ingrid.fontanals@uab.cat

Teachers

Berta Pascual Sedano
Joan Martí Fàbregas
Laura Auge Domenech
Javier Pagonabarraga Mora

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

It is recomended to have studied Neurology of Language of 2nd course


Objectives and Contextualisation

The syllabus includes the main neurodegenerative diseases that determine cognitive and language disorders in both children and adults, and prepares students for the systematic study of language pathology and accompanying neuropsychological disorders caused by these diseases, introducing them into special rehabilitation techniques. In addition to the main neurodegenerative diseases, which mainly include dementia and Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease, other neurological processes of interest to the student have been included in this subject and that may involve affectation of cognition and speech or language, such as stroke, epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury.

Other subjects of the Degree in Speech Therapy delve into specific aspects of the rehabilitation of language, speech and swallowing disorders: Language Neurology (101,710), Dysphagia and Related Disorders (101712), Applied Technological Innovation (101,694), Practicum III (101,696).

 

At the end of the course it is intended that the student is able to identify the main characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases that they can take with language and / or speech problems, as well as to evaluate these disorders and propose an appropriate intervention. You should also be aware of the family and social implications of this type of disorder and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.

 

 


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM13 (Competence) Assess the usefulness of the main techniques for the evaluation and diagnosis of neurological speech therapy disorders and be able to interpret the results.
  2. KM25 (Knowledge) Explain the theoretical basis of rehabilitation techniques for neurological speech, language and swallowing disorders.
  3. KM26 (Knowledge) Explain the origin and characteristics of language, speech, and swallowing disorders caused by brain damage.
  4. KM27 (Knowledge) Describe the aspects of rehabilitation of speech, language and swallowing disorders that require the joint intervention of professionals from various disciplines (neurologist, physiotherapist, psychologist, etc.).
  5. SM22 (Skill) Use the most appropriate examination techniques to diagnose and issue a prognosis of evolution of neurological language, speech and swallowing disorders.
  6. SM23 (Skill) Use resources and sources of information to obtain relevant information about acquired disorders.
  7. SM24 (Skill) Design a speech therapy intervention plan for different practical cases due to acquired disorders or alterations in swallowing.
  8. SM25 (Skill) Prepare a diagnostic report and therapeutic plan based on the data obtained in a neurological examination.

Content

Theoretical part

a) Medical theory of neurodegenerative diseases and other neurological diseases

I. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias

II. Parkinson's disease

III. Parkinsonisms: multisystemic atrophy, progressive supranuclear paralysis, and corticobasal degeneration

IV. Traumatic brain injuries and states of consciousness

V. Stroke

VI. Neuromuscular diseases

VII. Multiple sclerosis

VIII. Ataxias, corees and Tourette's syndrome

 

b) Theory of speech therapy rehabilitation of dementia and degenerative diseases

I. Patients with dementia or neurodegenerative disease: change in their life and environment, first visit: information collection. estimation.

II. Language in the elderly

III. Theory of the rehabilitation of the processes studied in medical theory of degenerative diseases and dementias


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Internship 20 0.8 SM22, SM24, SM25, SM22
Seminars 6 0.24 CM13, SM22, SM23, SM24, CM13
Theoretical classes 42 1.68 KM25, KM26, KM27, SM24, KM25
Type: Autonomous      
Clinical cases study 30 1.2 CM13, SM23, SM24, SM25, CM13
Critical reading of cientifci evidences 22.5 0.9 CM13, KM26, KM27, SM23, CM13
personal study and teamwork 100 4 KM25, KM26, KM27, SM22, SM23, SM24, SM25, KM25

 

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
EV1 Medical part (test) 40 2.5 0.1 KM25, KM26, KM27
EV2a Rehabilitation part (Test) 30 1 0.04 KM25, KM27
EV2b Rehabilitation part (case study) 10 1 0.04 CM13, SM23, SM24, SM25
EV3 Practical part 20 0 0 SM22, SM23, SM24, SM25

 

Students will be evaluated throughout the semester through two theoretical tests (one of which will correspond to medical theory and another to the theory of speech therapy rehabilitation) and practical work

Note: The proposed teaching methodology and evaluation may undergo some modification depending on the restrictions on face-to-face learning imposed by the health authorities. The teaching team will detail through the moodle classroom or the usual media the face-to-face or virtual / on-line format of the different directed and evaluation activities, taking into account the indications of the teaching staff according to what the health situation allows.

 

Final note

It will be obtained from the weighted average between the qualifications of the three parts of the subject: the two theoretical parts (medical and rehabilitation) and the practical part according to the following proportion:

40% medical theory of dementia and degenerative diseases (EV1)  First assessment period

40% theory of speech therapy rehabilitation of degenerative diseases and dementias (EV2) Second assessment period,

20% practical (EV3). First or second assessment period depending on the class group

 

Evidences 1 and 2 will be face-to-face and written, through a test type test. Evidence 3 will be face-to-face and written through the analysis of a case study

It is necessary to pass (with a grade of 5 or more points) each of the three parts separately to obtain the final grade of the subject. In case of suspending one of the parts, the recovery will be made only of the part not surpassed and the rest of the qualifications will be saved to make the half weighted backwards.

An approved subject will be considered if the weighted average of the three parts is 5 or more points

In case of suspending one of the parts, the recovery will be done only of the part not surpassed and will save the rest of qualifications to do the half weighted back.

RECUPERATION

To be eligible for recuperation it is necessary to have been evaluated in a minimum of 2/3 of the final grade.

It is not foreseen that the alumns of 2nd or later matrícula will evaluate by means of a single proof of synthesis no recoverable

https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html.


Bibliography

  • Aguilar i Casacuberta, Montserrat. Cuidar en casa a personas mayores con dependència. Diputació de Barcelona. ISBN  978-84-9803-004-4

 

  • Bastida & Debes de Yela. Las demencias  y la enfermedad de Alzheimer: una aproximación práctica e interdisciplinar. Editorial ISEP, 2004.

 

  • Fejerman. Neurología pediátrica Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2007.

 

  • Juncos, O.Barcelona: Lenguaje y envejecimiento. Bases para la intervención. Masson.1998

 

  • Korczyn, AD. Vascular parkinsonism-characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment. Nature Reviews Neurology 2015; 11(6):319-26

 

  • Lopez-Sendón JL, Men MA, de Yébenes, JG. Drug-induced parkinsonism in the elderly: incidence, management and prevention. Drugs & Aging  2012; 29:105-118

 

  • Luria. Fundamentos de neurolingüística .Editorial Toray-Mason ,1980

 

  • Martínez-Fernández R, Gasca-Salas C, Sánchez-Ferro A, Obeso JA. Actualización en la enfermedad de Parkinson. Revista Medicina Clínica Las Condes 2016; 27(3) 363-379.

 

  • Martínez-Sánchez F, Meilán JJ, Carro J, Gómez Íñiguez C, Millian-Morell L, Pujante Valverde IM, López-Alburquerque T, López DE. Speech rate in Parkinson's disease: A controlled study. Neurologia. 2016 Sep;31(7):466-72.

 

  • Meilán  y Criado Gutiérrez, 2017 . Enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias neurodegenerativas: aspectos psicosociales.

 

  •  Neurología pediàtrica .Natalio Fejerman. Editorial Panamericana, 2007

 

  • Peña-Casanova. Neurología de la conducta y neuropsicología . Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2007.

 

  • Respondek G, Stamelou M, Kurz C et al. The phenotypic spectrum of progressive supranuclear palsy: a retrospective multicenter study of 100 definite cases. Movement Disorders 2014; 29: 1758-66

 

  • Stamelou M. Bhatia KP. Atypical parkinsonism: diagnosis and treatment. Neurologic Clinics 2015;33:39-56

 

  • Victor  & Adams. Principios de neurologia. 10ª edición, 2017.

 

  • Manual del cuidador de enfermos de Alzheimer. VVAA. Ed. Mad, SL. 2005.

 

  • Weiner  & Klajn López. Manual de enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias.  Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2010

 

  • Weiner & Lipton. Masson, 2005. Demencias: investigación, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

 

  • Zarranz. Neurología. 6ª edición, 2018.

 

  • Praxias bucofonatorias - Logopedia - logopedaencasa.es. (2017). logopedaencasa,

 

  • http://www.logopedaencasa.es/ejercicios/praxias-bucofonatorias/

* in bold type the main bibliography


Software

No aplicable


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 11 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 12 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SCC) Clinical case seminars 111 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SCC) Clinical case seminars 112 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SCC) Clinical case seminars 113 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SCC) Clinical case seminars 114 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SCC) Clinical case seminars 115 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed