Neurology topics for USMLE Step 1
Normal processes
- embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes, including neural tube derivatives, cerebral ventricles, neural crest derivatives
- organ structure and function
- spinal cord, including gross anatomy, blood supply, and spinal reflexes
- brain stem, including cranial nerves and nuclei, reticular formation, anatomy, and blood supply
- brain, including gross anatomy and blood supply; cognition, language, memory; hypothalamic function; limbic system and emotional behavior; circadian rhythms and sleep; control of eye movement
- sensory systems, including proprioception, pain, vision, hearing, balance, taste, and olfaction
- motor systems, including brain and spinal cord, basal ganglia and cerebellum
- autonomic nervous system
- peripheral nerve
- cell/tissue structure and function
- axonal transport
- excitable properties of neurons, axons and dendrites, including channels
- synthesis, storage, release, reuptake, and degradation of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators
- pre- and postsynaptic receptor interactions, trophic and growth factors
- brain metabolism
- glia, myelin
- brain homeostasis: blood-brain barrier; cerebrospinal fluid formation and flow; choroid plexus
- repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life
Abnormal processes
- infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders (eg, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and disorders of the eye and ear)
- traumatic and mechanical disorders (eg, subdural and epidural hematomas, cord compression, peripheral nerve injury)
- neoplastic disorders, including primary and metastatic
- acquired metabolic and regulatory disorders (eg, delirium)
- vascular disorders (eg, cerebrovascular occlusion, venous sinus thrombosis, arterial aneurysms, hemorrhage)
- systemic disorders affecting the nervous system (eg, lupus, diabetic neuropathy)
- idiopathic disorders affecting the nervous system
- congenital disorders, including metabolic (eg, neural tube defects, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Down syndrome)
- degenerative disorders (eg, peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer dementia, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- paroxysmal disorders (eg, epilepsy, headache, pain syndromes, and sleep disorders including narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias)
- disorders of special senses (eg, blindness, deafness)
- psychopathologic disorders, processes and their evaluation
- early-onset disorders (eg, learning disorders)
- disorders related to substance use
- schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- somatoform disorders
- personality disorders
- physical and sexual abuse of children, adults, and elders
- other disorders (eg, dissociative, impulse control)
Principles of therapeutics
- mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the nervous system
- anesthetics
- hypnotics
- psychopharmacologic agents (eg, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, mood-stabilizing agents)
- anticonvulsants
- analgesics
- stimulants, amphetamines
- antiparkinsonian drugs
- skeletal muscle relaxants, botulinum toxin
- neuromuscular junction blocking agents (including postsynaptic)
- antiglaucoma drugs
- drugs used to decrease intracranial pressure (eg, mannitol, high-dose glucocorticoids)
- antimigraine agents
- drugs affecting autonomic nervous system (eg, anticholinesterases)
- other therapeutic modalities (eg, radiation, CSF shunting, surgery)
Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental
- emotional and behavioral factors (eg, drug abuse, dementia, sleep deprivation, accident prevention, pets)
- influence on person, family, and society (eg, developmental disabilities, dementia, generation reversal, nutrition, seizures, sleep disorders)
- occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, boxing, carbon monoxide exposure)
- gender and ethnic factors
source: usmle.org
