Step 1 | 3 Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
3.1 Normal processes
3.1.1 embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes, including neural tube derivatives, cerebral ventricles, neural crest derivatives
3.1.2 organ structure and function
3.1.2.1 spinal cord
3.1.2.1.1 gross anatomy and blood supply
3.1.2.1.2 spinal reflexes
3.1.2.2 brain stem
3.1.2.3 brain
3.1.2.3.1 gross anatomy and blood supply
3.1.2.3.2 higher function: cognition, language, memory
3.1.2.3.3 hypothalamic function
3.1.2.3.4 limbic system and emotional behavior
3.1.2.3.5 circadian rhythms and sleep
3.1.2.3.6 control of eye movement
3.1.2.4 sensory systems
3.1.2.4.1 general sensory modalities, including proprioception and pain
3.1.2.4.2 special sensory modalities, including vision, hearing, balance, taste, and olfaction
3.1.2.5 motor systems
3.1.2.5.1 brain and spinal cord
3.1.2.5.2 basal ganglia and cerebellum
3.1.2.6 autonomic nervous system
3.1.2.7 peripheral nerve
3.1.3 cell/tissue structure and function
3.1.3.1 axonal transport
3.1.3.2 excitable properties of neurons, axons and dendrites, including channels
3.1.3.3 synthesis, storage, release, reuptake, and degradation of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators
3.1.3.4 pre- and postsynaptic receptor interactions, trophic and growth factors
3.1.3.5 brain metabolism
3.1.3.6 glia, myelin
3.1.3.7 brain homeostasis: blood-brain barrier; cerebrospinal fluid formation and flow; choroid plexus
3.1.4 repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life
3.2 Abnormal processes
3.2.1 infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders
3.2.1.1 infectious disorders (eg, meningitis, abscess, encephalitis)
3.2.1.2 demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Guillain- Barré syndrome
3.2.1.3 myasthenia gravis
3.2.1.4 eye and ear (eg, conjunctivitis, otitis media)
3.2.2 traumatic and mechanical disorders (eg, subdural and epidural hematomas, cord compression, peripheral nerve injury)
3.2.3 neoplastic disorders
3.2.3.1 primary (eg, meningioma, astrocytoma)
3.2.3.2 metastatic
3.2.4 acquired metabolic and regulatory disorders (eg, delirium, Reye syndrome)
3.2.5 vascular disorders (eg, cerebrovascular occlusion, venous sinus thrombosis, arterial aneurysms, hemorrhage)
3.2.6 systemic disorders affecting the nervous system (eg, lupus, diabetic neuropathy)
3.2.7 idiopathic disorders affecting the nervous system
3.2.8 congenital disorders, including metabolic (eg, neural tube defects, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Down syndrome)
3.2.9 degenerative disorders (eg, peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer dementia, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
3.2.10 paroxysmal disorders (eg, epilepsy, headache, sleep disorders [narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias], pain syndromes)
3.2.11 disorders of special senses (eg, blindness, deafness)
3.2.12 psychopathologic disorders, processes and their evaluation
3.2.12.1 early-onset disorders (eg, learning disorders)
3.2.12.2 disorders related to substance use
3.2.12.3 schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
3.2.12.4 mood disorders
3.2.12.5 anxiety disorders
3.2.12.6 somatoform disorders
3.2.12.7 personality disorders
3.2.12.8 physical and sexual abuse of children, adults, and elders
3.2.12.9 other disorders (eg, dissociative, impulse control)
3.3 Principles of therapeutics
3.3.1 mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the nervous system
3.3.1.1 anesthetics
3.3.1.2 hypnotics
3.3.1.3 psychopharmacologic agents (eg, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, mood-stabilizing agents)
3.3.1.4 anticonvulsants
3.3.1.5 analgesics
3.3.1.6 stimulants, amphetamines
3.3.1.7 antiparkinsonian drugs
3.3.1.8 skeletal muscle relaxants; botulinum toxin
3.3.1.9 neuromuscular junction blocking agents (including postsynaptic)
3.3.1.10 antiglaucoma drugs
3.3.1.11 drugs used to decrease intracranial pressure (eg, mannitol, high- dose glucocorticoids)
3.3.1.12 antimigraine agents
3.3.1.13 drugs affecting autonomic nervous system (eg, anticholinesterases)
3.3.2 other therapeutic modalities (eg, radiation, CFS shunting, surgery)
3.4 Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental
3.4.1 emotional and behavioral factors (eg, drug abuse, dementia, sleep deprivation, accident prevention, pets)
3.4.2 influence on person, family, and society (eg, developmental disabilities, dementia, generation reversal, nutrition, seizures, sleep disorders)
3.4.3 occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, boxing, carbon monoxide exposure)
3.4.4 gender and ethnic factors