The acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge in the subjects taught requires knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and pathophysiology of neurological diseases.
The teaching of the curricular unit is divided into two components: one theoretical-practical and one practical.
The theoretical-practical teaching aims at the detailed presentation of the programme content through an active, explanatory methodology using auxiliary tools.
The practical component involves the application of study protocols to models, practical application of the programme content developed in the theoretical-practical component, the use of evoked potential equipment and the preparation of study reports.
The student should acquire knowledge about:
– Anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems with special reference to the auditory, visual and somatosensory pathways.
– Neurophysiological techniques related to evoked potentials.
– Operation of evoked potential devices
The student should acquire skills and competences in:
– Identifying and describing study protocols.
– Applying the different techniques and methods while respecting all safety conditions and professional ethics.
– Identification of normal and pathological findings.
– Solving underlying technical problems.
– Contribute to the development of new methods/techniques while maintaining a proactive and critical spirit.
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL CONTENTS
Acquisition equipment and recording sensors:
– Analysis of the biological signal and generation of sources;
– Concept of the functioning of an evoked potential device;
– Basic recording parameters and properties;
– Safety conditions.
Auditory Evoked Potentials:
– Study protocol (type of stimulus, recorded waves and their significance), determination of auditory threshold and clinical utility;
– Conduction, sensorineural and mixed hypoacusis;
– Newborn screening.
Visual evoked potentials:
– Study protocol (type of stimulus, recorded waves and their significance), types of visual potentials and their clinical relevance;
– Optic nerve pathway lesions, chiasm and retrochiasm.
Somatosensory evoked potentials:
– Study protocol for the upper limbs, lower limbs and pudendal nerve (concept of stimulus type, recorded waves and their significance) and clinical utility;
– Demyelinating diseases, myelopathies and spinal cord tumours.
Intraoperative monitoring:
– Multimodal techniques, clinical applications and alarm criteria.
PRACTICAL CONTENT
– Application of study protocols.
– Identifying common technical problems and resolving artifacts.
– Preparation of reports on evoked potentials.
– PRIMARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
– SECUNDARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Husain, AM. Illustrated Manual of Clinical Evoked Potentials. New York: Demos Medical. 2018. Springer Publishing Company.
