Block 4A: Neurological,

Musculoskeletal &
Psychiatric Medicine
Carolyn Houser, Ph.D. and
Chris DeGiorgio, M.D.
Block Chairs

Broad Goals of Block 4A

Provide an overview of the neurobiology and

functional organization of the CNSbeginning
regionally and progressing to an integrated,
systems-level view.
Relate basic principles of neurobiology to
common neurological disorders, with emphasis
on disorders of the motor and somatosensory
system.
Provide a foundation for continuing studies of
neural systems (regulatory, visual & auditory),
learning and memory, higher cortical functions
and their related disturbances in Block 4B.

Planned Changes

Focused progression through the

nervous system from muscle to
cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
Increased emphasis on basic
neuroscience material.
Additional clinical neuroimaging,
primarily in the laboratories.
Decreased number of lecturers.

Textbooks & CD

The Human Brain. Nolte, 4th ed., 2002.

Neuroscience. Purves et al., 3rd ed., 2004.
Clinical Neurology. Greenberg et al., 5 th
ed., 2002.
The Human Brain Atlas. Nolte and
Angevine, 2nd ed., 2000.
Interactive Neuroscience. CD, UCLA,
revised 2005.

Weekly Progression
Week 1

7a

7b

Cerebellum
and
Vestibular
Nuclei

Basal
Ganglia

Thalamus
and
Cortex

Hippocampus
and
Amygdala

Bones
and
Joints

Motor and Somatosensory Systems

Muscle and
Peripheral
Nerve

Back
and
Spinal
Cord

Brainstem

Weekly Schedule
Monday
8-10

PBL

10-11

Functional
Neuroanatomy

11-12

1-4

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
PBL

Neurobiology
Lab

Anatomy

Basic
Neurobiology /
Pharmacology

Anatomy
(1/3
Class)

Doctoring
(1/3 Class)

Clinical
Neurology /
Neurogenetics

Clinical Skills
(1/3 Class)

Neuropathology

Application /
Problem or Casebased

Week 1

7a

7b

Hippocampus
and
Amygdala

Bones and
Joints

Motor and Somatosensory Systems

Muscle and
Nerve

Back
and
Spinal
Cord

Brainstem

Cerebellum
and
Vestibular
System

Basal
Ganglia

Thalamus
and
Cortex

Demyelinating
Diseases

Degenerative
Diseases
of BG

Cortical
Lesions

Neuropathology
Intro &
Myopathies

Spaceoccupying
lesions

Axonal
Injury

Pharmacology
Pain
Meds &
Local
Anesthetics

Pharmacol.
of
Parkinsons
Disease

Genetics
Genetics
of
Muscular
Dystrophy

Genetics
of SpinoCerebellar
Ataxias
(with pt.
present.)

Genetics
of Triplet
Repeat
Disorders

Histopath:
Bones &
Joints

Week 1

7a

7b

Basal
Ganglia

Thalamus
and Cortex

Hippocampus
and
Amygdala

Bones and
Joints

Parkinsons

Cortical
Strokes

Motor and Somatosensory Systems

Muscle and
Nerve

Back
and
Spinal
Cord

Brainstem

Cerebellum
and
Vestibular
Nuclei

Low Back
Pain

Brainstem
Lesions

Multiple
Sclerosis

Neuro
Exam

HeadAche
Cases

Preceptor
Visit

Med-Psych
Parkinsons

Histopath
of CNS

Synapse
Lab

Time of

PBLs
Myasthenia
Gravis

Trauma and
Fracture

Doctoring
Living with
Disabilities

Musculoskeletal
Exam

Screening
for Domestic
Violence

Clinical Skills Labs

EMG/Nerve
Conduction

Lumbar
Puncture;
Low Back
Exam

Clinical
NeuroImaging
Review

Histopath of
Bone

Week 5: Basal Ganglia & Motor Disorders

Monday
8-10

PBL: Dawdler
(Parkinsons)

10-11

Basal Ganglia
General
Organization;

11-12

Functional
Circuitry &
Disorders

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

PBL: 1) Dawdler; 2) Drug

induced motor disorders.

Anatomy

Pharmacology
of Parkinsons
Disease

Genetics of Triplet
Repeat Disorders

Neuropath.: Degenerative
Diseases of the Basal
Ganglia

Deep Brain
Stimulation:
Relationships
to Basal
Ganglia
Circuitry

Neurological,
Psychiatric &
Neurobiological
Aspects of
Huntingtons
Disease

Patient Vignettes:
Movement Disorders

12-1
1-4

Friday

Optional: Video Case of

the Frozen Addict
Neurobiology
Lab: Basal
Ganglia and
Related
Neuroimaging

Anatomy
Lab
(1/3 Class)

Doctoring:
Parkinsons
Case
Med Psych
(1/3 Class)

Clinical Skills
(1/3 Class):
Free time

Week 7: Limbic System; Bones & Joints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8-10

PBL: To Ski or
Not to Ski

PBL: Knee Problem

10-11

Limbic system

Develop.
Of Bone &
Morphol.
Of Joints

Radiology of
Upper & Lower
Limbs; Bone
Tumors

Rheumatology

Musculoskeletal Review

11-12

Hippocampus:
Functional
Circuitry,
Plasticity &
Disorders

Anatomy

Musculoskeletal
Injuries

Chronic Pain

Functional Neuroanatomy
Review
(Optional)

Lecture: Seizure
Disorders.

Anatomy
Lab
(1/3 Class)

Doctoring:
Screening for
Domestic
Volence
(1/3 Class)

Histopath Lab (1/3

Class): Histopath
of Bone

Neurology Review
(Optional)

12-1
1-4

Neurobiology
Lab: Limbic
System

Topics that remain to be covered:

Some pharmacology topics, i.e.

antiepileptic meds
Brain tumors (specific types)
Additions?
Suggestions?
Then wish us luck!!!