Postgraduate School of Neurology

Common training objectives (or common core)
Students must acquire adequate theoretical knowledge and professional skill in the diagnosis and treatment, even in emergency-urgent situations, of the most common pathologies in internal and developmental medicine.
Given the specific cultural links existing among the different class types, the common core university credits (CFU) of related specialist subjects must include:
-theoretical knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system;
-general theoretical knowledge of etiopathogenic mechanisms in neurological and psychiatric pathologies through the various stages of life;
-core theoretical knowledge and practical experience in diagnostic methods, even differential methods (clinical examination, diagnostic medical imaging, electrophysiological techniques, chemical-biological exams and psychometric evaluation) of neurological and psychiatric pathologies through the various stages of life;
-theoretical knowledge and clinical-practical experience (including urgent/emergency situations) pertaining to the main pathologies of neurological and psychiatric interest in the various stages of life, including neurological and psychiatric complications in internal medicine;
-core theoretical knowledge and clinical-practical experience in the main techniques adopted in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological and psychiatric pathologies through the various stages of life.

General training objectives
Knowledge of: the morphogenesis and structural organization of the nervous system; of how the central and peripheral nervous system and muscles function under both normal and pathological conditions; basic statistical analysis and the epidemiological method; computer skills for data acquisition and processing.
Acquire knowledge of the biological basis of pharmacological activity, as well as medical-legal and bioethical implications of drug use and, in general, of problems linked to neurological pathologies; understand basic etiopathogenic mechanisms, including those of molecular medicine applied to neurology, and of clinical neurochemistry;
Knowledge of the history of medicine and neurology.

School-specific training objectives
Knowledge of: the fundamental causes and pathogenic mechanisms of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system and muscles, and appropriate assistance; structural and/or functional alterations in the nervous system and corresponding lesions from a neuropathology perspective; functional semiotics, clinical methods, instrumental and laboratory diagnostics; neuroimaging and the neurophysiological and neuropsychological presentation of diseases of the nervous system over a life cycle; developmental and geriatric neurology; urgent neurology, physiopathology and acute and chronic pain therapy, clinical and molecular neurogenetics, disability diagnosis and recovery and neurological rehabilitation, clinical neuropsychology, clinical neurobiology, including the histopathology of the central nervous system, muscles and nerves, and neuroimmunology.

Mandatory professional development activities to achieve the educational objectives of this program include:
- Clinical diagnostic protocols: at least 100 cases performed personally;
- Clinical cases: at least 250 cases, of which 100 are followed directly, including classic chronic neurological diseases, neurological emergencies, cerebrovascular diseases, rare neurological diseases, and acute and chronic pain syndromes, discussing the approach and management with the relevant specialist and/or the head of the clinical department;
- Participation in the management of at least three controlled clinical trials, in accordance with good clinical practice standards;
- Interpretation and discussion of neuroradiological and neuroimaging tests for major pathologies: at least 200 cases discussed directly with expert staff;
- Interpretation and discussion of neurophysiological tests (electroencephalograms; evoked potentials; electromyography and neurography; Doppler ultrasound) for major neurological diseases: at least 200 cases discussed directly with expert staff;
- Evaluation and discussion with the specialist of tests performed in intensive care units for the purpose of suspecting and/or confirming brain death: at least 20 cases.
- Assessment of disability in at least 50 patients, using appropriate functional scales and identifying recovery options and tools, discussing the approach and administration with expert staff;
- Assessment of mental decline using neurocognitive tests in at least 50 patients, discussing the approach and administration with expert staff;
- Neuropathological tests: at least 20, including muscle or nerve biopsies, discussed directly with expert staff;
- CSF sampling: at least 30 cases performed personally, discussing the findings and results with expert staff.

The resident may apply for the diploma after completing the professional development activities.

As part of their training, the trainee will be expected to learn the scientific foundations of the School's curriculum in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence, including an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and a critical understanding that allows them to consciously manage both their healthcare and their own development. This training may include participation in meetings, conferences, the production of scientific publications, and periods of attendance at qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for their training.