PSY-730 Neuroanatomy

2 or 4 semester credits

1. Describe the gross anatomy of the brain, major landmarks, basic organization of the primary and secondary motor and sensory association areas, and the primary relationship between cortex and subcortical structures.
2. Identify the key elements of the neurological examination and describe how neurologists interpret results to infer location and type of disease.
3. Identify the structure and relative location of the ventricles and meninges and compare and contrast the primary clinical conditions associated with their pathology including headaches, increased intracranial pressure, herniation syndromes, tumors, and hydrocephalus.
4. Describe the basic anatomy of the spinal cord, motor system, autonomic nervous system, somatosensory pathways, and structure and function of the thalamus, and understand the relationship between these regions and signs and conditions associated with their dysfunction such as hemiparesis, unsteady gait, multiple sclerosis, paresthesias, sensory loss, and pain.
5. Examine the pathways, brainstem nuclei, and methods of assessment of the cranial nerves and list signs and symptoms of their dysfunction including anosmia, eye gaze and pupillary disorders, facial numbness, hearing loss, dizziness, dysarthria, dysphagia, and pseudobulbar affect.
6. Analyze and discuss the vascular supply, cytoarchitecture, and major input and output pathways of the cerebellum and review clinical findings and localization of cerebellar lesions and differential diagnosis of ataxia.
7. Analyze the intrinsic connections and input and output pathways of the basal ganglia and describe their basic functions and signs of dysfunction, especially as related to the movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease).
8. List and define the major limbic system structures and their interconnections, especially the hippocampus and amygdala, and discuss how lesions of these regions affect memory, emotion, and olfaction.