Practicum in Clinical Neuropsychology – Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience

The Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience welcomes advanced doctoral students in psychology seeking comprehensive experience in clinical neuropsychology. Our center provides exceptional training opportunities through our affiliated programs including the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (BU ADRC) and Memory Disorders Clinic at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System (Jamaica Plain and Brockton Campuses). Our interdisciplinary team brings together clinical specialists—including neuropsychologists, neurologists, and neuropsychiatrists—alongside researchers in experimental psychology, experimental neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral neuroscience. Trainees from multiple disciplines work within both our clinical and research divisions, creating a collaborative environment that advances our dual mission of providing comprehensive, evidence-based patient care and conducting cutting-edge research into brain-behavior relationships. This integrated approach allows us to translate the latest scientific findings directly into clinical practice while simultaneously generating new knowledge that advances the field and improves outcomes for patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Clinical Training Opportunities

Our practicum will allow you to develop expertise in all aspects of neuropsychological evaluation and intervention. However, students are not required to have a neuropsychology concentration to be successful. Students will gain hands-on experience working with a diverse patient population, including:

Patient Population

Students will work with individuals between the ages of 55-95 who are referred by clinicians or self-referred for memory concerns. Opportunities include Veteran and Non-Veteran patients. In addition, students will encounter a wide range of presentations and presenting problems:

Neurological Conditions: Alzheimer’s disease dementia, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, stroke, hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and other neurological conditions

Medical Conditions: Medication side effects, sleep disturbances, Lyme disease, neurosyphilis, HIV, B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, and other medical causes of cognitive impairment

Psychiatric Conditions: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders

Core Clinical Activities

  • Perform brief structured clinical interviews with patients.
  • Administer and interpret Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) screenings.
  • Conduct neuropsychological screenings using a fixed 60-75 minute battery.
  • Learn and administer additional specialized neuropsychological tests as clinically indicated.
  • Administer expanded neuropsychological test batteries for research participants and clinical patients, including healthy older adults and patients with various forms of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • Score, interpret, and write assessment reports.
  • Assist Memory Disorders Clinics, Clinics for Vascular Cognitive Impairment, and work-up for Disease Modifying Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease.
  • Conduct cognitive screenings as part of surgical work-up for shunt implantation (i.e., patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus).

Educational Components

Supervision and Training Structure

  • Group Didactic Supervision: Weekly sessions covering theoretical foundations and clinical applications.
  • Individual Supervision: Weekly one-on-one supervision, primarily with Dr. Brandon Frank the Training Director, but also with senior clinicians, including psychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists.
  • Comprehensive Test Training: Instruction in administration, scoring, and interpretation of all neuropsychological instruments.
  • Report Writing Training: Systematic instruction in professional report writing and communication.

Clinical Education Sessions

  • Memory Disorders Case Conference: Weekly participation in Monday morning conferences (8:00-9:00 AM) featuring case presentations and advanced test interpretation.
  • Neurological Examination Training: Shadow clinics to learn neurological interview techniques and physical examination procedures.
  • Laboratory Data Interpretation: Training in relevant blood work and laboratory findings.
  • Neuroimaging Education: Instruction in reading and interpreting head CTs, brain MRIs, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scans, and amyloid PET scans (including florbetapir tracer studies).
  • Treatment Selection: Learn criteria for selecting patients for new amyloid-targeting disease-modifying therapies (lecanemab, donanemab).
  • Video Neuropsychology: Shadow and/or assist our telememory clinic as we assess patients from around the country, including rural patients and patients from diverse backgrounds.

Reading and Curriculum

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the 3rd edition of “Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia: A Practical Guide for Clinicians”.

Advanced Training Opportunities

Motivated students may participate in additional activities based on schedule, interest, demonstrated competence, and availability:

Clinical and Research Activities

  • Memory Disorders Clinic at Boston Medical Center (comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations).
  • Shadow the training director throughout the year for patient and family interviews, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, feedback sessions, and cognitive rehabilitation service delivery.
  • Additional VA Boston neurology clinics: Traumatic brain injury and polytrauma clinic participation.
  • Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience laboratory meetings (Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 PM; Jamaica Plain VA campus).
  • Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center consensus meetings (Wednesday afternoons, 3:00-4:30 PM; Zoom).

Experimental Research Experience

  • Computer-based experimental psychology test administration
  • Participation in cognitive neuroscience research studies
  • Experimental data preparation using Excel
  • Statistical analysis using SPSS and R
  • EEG event-related potential research (setup, administration, data preparation, and analysis)

Publication and Research Opportunities

Students making significant time and effort contributions may earn authorship on research publications. Highly motivated and competent students may conduct their doctoral project within our laboratory, enabling them to complete an experimental psychology project from initial concept through manuscript preparation, with expected authorship opportunities.

Program Structure and Requirements

This practicum emphasizes clinical training in neuropsychological assessment while offering robust research opportunities for interested students. The program is designed to provide well-rounded clinical training through intensive patient interaction, expert supervision, and exposure to cutting-edge research in translational cognitive neuroscience.

For further information about the program, contact Dr. Brandon Frank, Director of Clinical Training, at befrank1@bu.edu.