65155 - Neurology

Learning outcomes

Describe the clinical manifestations, etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, natural history, diagnosis, staging, prognostic indicators and management of the major diseases of the nervous system, with emphasis on those most commonly encountered in the clinical practice. Identify the major diagnostic and therapeutic options for each encountered clinical scenario, and discuss their benefits and limitations. Summarize decision-making algorithms for a correct differential diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choice. Present and critically analyze clinical cases, discuss the differential diagnosis, and formulate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for each case (Problem-Based Learning).

Course contents

Principal Neurophysiological Investigations:

- Electromyography

- Electroencephalography

- Polysomnography

Cranial Nerves.

Biofluid diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers biomarkers in neurology.

Pathogenesis and molecular pathology of neurodegenerative disorders

Cognitive dysfunction (aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, amnesia, behavioral abnormalities).

Mild cognitive decline and dementia syndromes.

Motor Neuron Diseases (ALS and SMA).

Polyneuropathies (acquired and hereditary).

Mononeuropathies.

Neuromuscular Junction diseases (acquired and hereditary).

Myopathies (acquired and hereditary).

Epileptic disorders.

Sleep disorders.

Principal Demyelinating Diseases of the Central and Peripheral Systems.

Parkinson's disease.

Atypical Parkinsonism.

Hyperkinetic movements disorders.

Rapidly progressive dementias and encephalities.

Cerebrovascular disorders

Headache

 

Concerning all the above listed diseases, all the following items will be taken into account: Definition and classification; Etiology, pathophysiology; Clinical symptoms and sign; Diagnostic pathway and differential diagnosis; Main treatments. 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Eleventh Edition

Adams and Victor's - Principles of Neurology 

Allan H. Ropper

Martin A. Samuels

Joshua P. Klein

Sashank Prasad

 

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures where general rules are derived from practical examples taken from everyday experience. Teaching materials and slides are made available to the students via the moodle platform at least the day before the lesson. During the lessons, it is important for students to have direct access (online or off-line) to the teaching materials in order to be able to concentrate on specific contents rather than on reproducing slides.

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral assessment to verify the achievement of objectives (critical thinking, knowledge of topics) within the integrated course of Neurological, Psychiatric Diseases and Pain (I.C.).

The assessment regarding "NEUROLOGY" will be mainly focused on topics covered in class.

For logistic reasons, the exam of the I.C. will be divided in 2 modules.

Module A (Psychiatry, Clinical Psycology, Neuropsycopharmacology, Anaesthesiology and Pain Management; total 7 CFU)

20.01.25

24.02.25

16.06.25

14.07.25

15.09.25

Exam sessions to be held at 3:00 p.m (afternoon) at Viale Carlo Pepoli 5.

Module B (Neurology, Neuroradiology, In vivo Neurometabolic Diagnostics, Neuropathology, Neurosurgery; total 8 CFU)

23.01.25

27.02.25

19.06.25

17.07.25

18.09.25

Exam sessions to be held at 9:00 a.m (morning) at Bellaria Hospital, Pavilion G, First Floor

FINAL GRADES

Taking the module B exam only after having passed the module A is mandatory.

At the end of each module, the Commission will score the overall student’s performance in each module according to the following scale:

o Outstanding 30/30L: full preparation, consolidated and without inaccuracies on the topics covered in the integrated course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and connect independently the different topics. Concepts in the right succession and full command of the specific language with some original elaboration by the student.

o Excellent 29-30/30: full preparation, consolidated and without significant inaccuracies on the topics covered in the course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and connect independently. Concepts in the right succession and full command of the specific language.

o Very good 27-28/30: preparation of very good level, but with significant inaccuracies in the presentation that compromise the achievement of full marks. Ability to analyze and link independently. Exposure of concepts in the right succession and with appropriate language.

o Good 23-26/30: preparation of good level, but with important inaccuracies in the presentation. Ability to analyze and link after input from the teacher. Exposure of concepts in the right succession and with appropriate language.

o Sufficient 18-22/30 knowledge limited to the basic concepts without serious gaps, only after input from the teacher. Exposition of concepts and language acceptable as a whole.

o Insufficient <18/30: lack of preparation. Serious and repeated conceptual errors.

The final mark of the Integrated Course Neurological, Psychiatric Disease and Pain (from 18/30 upwards) will be assigned when the student has completed both modules (i.e. during the Thursday session when module B is held). The student will be allowed to accept or decline the final grade by communicating the decision. 

If a student does not achieve a pass score in module B, she/he will be allowed to sit again only for that module, maintaining the positive evaluation obtained in the other module A, as long as this happens within the same academic year (please be aware that last exam session is scheduled for 18.09.25). If a student has not completed all the exams of the integrated course within the academic year, must redo both modules.

 

 

Teaching tools

Students are encouraged to attend the lectures with a printout of the relevant file downloaded from moodle or bringing electronic devices to access the relevant material during the lecture. This will allow easier interaction with the teacher when asked to discuss a problem.

Office hours

See the website of Rocco Liguori

See the website of Maria Pia Giannoccaro

See the website of Piero Parchi