Hardcore Neuroscience

1 Cellular Neurophysiology.................................................................................1
Neurons / 1
Glial Cells / 1
Neural Signaling / 2

2 Synapses and Neurotransmitters ....................................................................5
Types of Synapses / 5
Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors / 5
Neuromuscular Junction / 6

3 Development and Embryology.........................................................................7
Neural Plate / 7
Neural Tube / 9
Congenital Infections / 10

4 Gross Anatomy...............................................................................................11
Cerebral Vasculature / 11
Cerebrum / 12
Diencephalon/Midbrain / 14

5 Brainstem Anatomy .......................................................................................17
Structure of the Brainstem / 17
Vertebrobasilar System / 21

6 Cranial Nerves ...............................................................................................23
Structure and Function of the Cranial Nerves / 23

7 Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerves................................................................29
Gross Anatomy / 29
Important Tracts of the Spinal Cord / 31
Spinal Reflexes / 32
Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Syndromes / 33
Classic Spinal Cord Syndromes / 34
Peripheral Nerve Disorders / 34

8 Autonomic Nervous System ..........................................................................37
Organization of the Autonomic Nervous System / 37
Receptors and Pharmacology of the ANS / 40
Enteric Nervous System / 42
Autonomic Control / 42

9 Sensory Systems ...........................................................................................43
Sensory Receptors / 43
Ascending Tracts of the Spinal Cord / 43
Pathologic States of the Somatosensory System / 47

10 Motor Systems...............................................................................................49
Cortical Motor Areas / 49
Brainstem Motor Areas / 50
Descending Tracts of the Spinal Cord / 50
The Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia / 51

11 Higher Functions and the Limbic System......................................................55
Basic Anatomy and Major Structures / 55
Types of Memory / 58

12 Paroxysmal Disorders....................................................................................59
Seizures / 59
Headaches / 61
Sleep Disorders / 62

13 Cerebrospinal Fluid and Central Nervous System Infections ........................63
Meninges / 63
Lumbar Puncture / 63
Ventricular System / 64
Infections of the Central Nervous System / 64

14 Space-Occupying Lesions .............................................................................67
Intracranial Compartments and Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) / 67
Brain Tumors / 67
Intracranial Bleeds / 69

15 Hardcore Clinical Topics................................................................................71
Myopathic Disorders / 71
Disorders of Equilibrium / 72
Dementia / 73
Cerebrovascular Disease / 74

16 Hardcore Imaging ..........................................................................................77
Plain X-Rays / 77
Computerized Axial Tomography / 77
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 78
Angiography / 79
Images / 80

17 Step 1 Practice Questions and Answers .......................................................85
Index / 97