Fundamentals of clinical Neurophysiology

Learn the basics of clinical processes which can be approached using clinical neurophysiology techniques.
- Understand the potential useful of neurophysiological techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of clinical processes related to the nervous system.
- Become familiar with the use of techniques of Clinical Neurophysiology
- To train in the management of relevant literature as well as in the use of ICT to prepare the materials

LECTURES PROGRAMME

1. Characteristics of physiological and pathological processes that can be approached using electrophysiological techniques. Distinctive peculiarities recording experimental and clinical neurophysiological activity.
2. Physiological basis of eye movements. Classes of eye movements. Recording techniques of eye movements (EOG). Clinical applications of EOG.
3. Physiological basis of muscle activity. Recording techniques of muscle activity (electromyography, EMG). Clinical applications of EMG.
4. Electrical activity in the retina. Techniques for the recording of the retinal electrical activity (electroretinogram, ERG). Clinical aspects of the ERG.
5. Physiological basis of brain electrical activity. Recording techniques of the brain activity (EEG). Clinical applications of the EEG. Usefulness of EEG in epilepsy.
6. Physiological basis of electrical activity in the visual cortex. Visual evoked potential (VEP), auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP). Clinical applications of the VEP, AEP and SSEP.
7. Recording the electrical brain activity through intracranial electrodes. Special features of intracranial records. Deep Brain Stimulation. Application of unit recording in the surgical treatment of certain diseases of the nervous system such as Parkinson the disease, dystonia and other movement disorders.

PROGRAM WORKSHOPS

Practice 1. ERG recording.
Practice 2. Recording of VEP, AEP and PESS.
Practice 3. EEG recording.

SEMINARS

Workshops will be held for the students to be presented at recent scientific reviews related to course topics.

KANDEL, E.R. Principios de Neurociencia. McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 2001.
LEVIN, K.H., LUDERS, H.O. (eds). Comprehensive Clinical Neurophysiology, W. B. Saunders, 2000.
ROWAN, A.J., TOLUNSKY, E. (eds), Primer of EEG., Butterworth-Heineman, 2003.
KAUFMAN, P.L., ALM, A. (eds). Physiology of the eye. Mosby, 2002

The student must have the following skills and enhance and generic skills:
- Fluency and communication in both oral and written in the languages of the community and English.
- Personal commitment to learning effort.
- Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
- Ability to analyze data obtained from different sources.
- Capacity of criticism and self-criticism.
- Ability to apply theory to practice.
- Ability to work independently and in a team

- Lectures.
- Seminars taught by students.
- Practice using records systems common in Clinical Neurophysiology.
- Using the virtual platform: a tutorial forum will be enabled in the virtual classroom of the subject, for specific questions on the agenda. The virtual classroom will be used to carry out non-contact activities using the available institutional tools.

Students must submit a report on its activities, which will account for 40% of the final grade.
- Attendance and class participation will be considered and will contribute 20% of the final grade.
- A exame on course content will represent a 40% of the final grade

3 ECTS, calculating 27 hours per credit, we have a total of 81 hours distribute as follows:
- Theory: 13 hours classroom and 33 hours of personal work (total hours: 43)
- Practical: 15 contact hours and 7 hours of personal work (total hours: 22)
- Attendance, preparation and presentation of workshops: 2 contact hours and 9.5 hours of personal work (total hours: 11.5)
- Personalized tutoring: 0.5 hours.
- Theory test and memory: 4 hours.

- Attendance and active participation in classes and seminars.
- Study and periodic review of the subject taught, using library materials and deepen understanding on information obtained in class.
- Meeting with teachers of any doubts.