DEVELOPMENT NEUROLOGY

Developmental neurology includes the study of the regular and pathological development of cognitive, behavioral, motor and sensory processes in the developmental age [ie in the period between the phases that precede the birth and the completion of the process of statural growth and cognitive maturation (which ends at about age 22-24)).

In particular, this discipline deals with:

(a) Principles of anatomy, embryology and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system of the subject in developmental age;

(b) Psychomotor and normal behavioral development of the child, including anatomical and functional maturation of the nervous system during the developmental age through which the child conquers the stages that will progressively allow him to become self-sufficient from the cognitive, motor point of view, of thought, action and behavior;

(c) Neurological disorders in developmental age: diseases that affect the central and peripheral nervous system during developmental age;

(d) Disorders of cognitive and neuropsychological development in the developmental age: disorders that affect the central nervous system mainly in its aspects of intelligence, learning, language and behavior;

(e) Psychiatric disorders in developmental age: Part of those diseases that affect the nervous system, causing mainly (or only) disorders of the psychic sphere.

Aim of the course is to train the student to a knowledge of the principles of Neurology of development that are considered fundamental for all those who are in contact with the world of children and adolescents and more generally with the world of youth and with the related mental and neurological disabilities related to it.

The training is articulated through the development of the 5 points (a-e) mentioned above, aiming to provide the bases of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system in developmental age and then proceed with the presentation of the main neurological disorders (physiopathology) of the cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric aspects of children and adolescents.

Frontal lessons at the Department of Educational Sciences and possibility of attendance to interactive activities such as seminars and laboratories at the Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Pediatric Age, "Policlinico Gaspare Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania via S. Sofia, 78, Catania

Lessons are carried out with the support of slides showing texts, tables, images (including neuroimaging) and videos aimed at explaining the physiology and pathology of the nervous system in the developmental age.

In consideration of the topics dealt with (eg basic genetics and cell biology, physiology of the nervous system and related pathologies) and the medical terminology with which the student will have to confront (within the lessons it will be made suitable for the students' basic knowledge to whom the course is addressed), the frequency is strongly recommended.

The experience gained over the years with this teaching shows that the student who succeeds in attending the course of lessons is able to take the exam with profit, precisely because the topics dealt with require knowledge of the basic terminology and the principles of anatomy, physiology and genetics of the nervous system which are explained and studied in depth during the lessons.

GENERAL PART

1. General neurology and developmental psychiatry

2. General principles of anatomy of the nervous system

3. General principles of genetics and inheritance

4. Developmental neurobiology

PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT

5. Newborn and child: normal parameters of development; main stages of psychomotor development; primitive reflexes

6. Neurological and physical examination of the child

SPECIALIST PART 1 [Developmental Neurology]

7. Malformations of the nervous system

8. Convulsions and epilepsy

9. Paroxysmal non-epileptic disorders in developmental age

10. Headache and related disorders

11. Infantile cerebral palsy and hereditary spastic paraplegias

12. Cerebrovascular diseases [general principles]

13. Neuromuscular diseases [general principles and specific forms]

14. Neurometabolic diseases [general principles]

15. Neurodegenerative diseases [general principles]

16. Movement disorders [generalized movements / general movements; hypokinesia / rigidity / Parkinsonism; Korea; ballismus; dystonias; tics and Tourette's syndrome; tremors; myoclonus; stereos; Rett syndrome and related phenotypes]

17. Immune-mediated diseases of the nervous system [acute disseminated encephalomyelitis / ADEM; childhood multiple sclerosis and related syndromes; acute demyelinating neuropathy / Guillain-Barré syndrome and related syndromes; Chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyradicular neuropathy; myasthenic syndromes; paraneoplastic syndromes; Rasmussen's encephalitis]

18. Main neurocutaneous syndromes [neurofibromatosis; tuberous sclerosis; syndromes with malformations and vascular tumors; epidermal nevus syndromes; other neurocutaneous mosaicisms] and diseases from alteration of DNA repair

19. Enuresis: primary and secondary

20. Tumors of the nervous system [general principles and clinical manifestations as signs of alert]

21. Sleep-wake disorders

SPECIALIST PART 2 [Cognitive and neuropsychological development disorders]

22. Intellectual disabilities and related phenotypes

23. Development and pathology of language in the developmental age

24. Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity / impulsivity

25. Specific and non-specific learning disabilities [specific reading disorder or dyslexia; disturbance of written expression or misfortune; dysorthography; calculation disorder or dyscalculia; learning disability not otherwise specified]

26. Autism spectrum disorders

SPECIALIST PART 3 [Developmental psychiatry]

27. Anxiety disorders

28. Disorders of somatic symptoms and related disorders

29. Nutrition and nutrition disorders

30. Disorder from attachment to the maternal/paternal figure

31. Fictitious disorder

NEUROLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT

Ruggieri M - Franzoni E. Neurology and developmental psychiatry. Milan: Elsevier / Masson, 2012

This book was written specifically to allow even those who do not have the knowledge base of a biologically or physically oriented degree course to be able to understand the pathology of the nervous system in the developmental age. The text also reflects the contents of the course.

 

Fabbro F. Child neuropsychiatry. Venice: Carocci Editore, 2012

It is possible to refer to the text indicated for the topics covered in the course of neurology of development. It presents very synthetic contents for the developmental neurology sections. It presents appropriate contents and exposed in a very simple way for the sections of cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric pathology in childhood.

 

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) -5tn edition

 

IN PREPARATION

Ruggieri M [in collaboration with Franzoni E, Falsaperla R, Minetti C, Pavone P, Polizzi A, Verrotti A] Pavone / Ruggieri - Pediatric Neurology. EDRA Edizioni, 2020 (836 pages)

Text specially prepared for students of degree courses in Medicine and for non-medical degree courses.

Expected release: after the 2nd half of 2020