Neurobiology

1. Neurobiology of Disease
   1. Neurodegenerative Disorders
      1. Alzheimer's Disease
         1. Pathophysiology
            1. Amyloid plaques
            2. Neurofibrillary tangles
            3. Synaptic dysfunction
         2. Genetic Factors
            1. Apolipoprotein E (APOE)
            2. Early-onset genes: APP, PSEN1, PSEN2
         3. Diagnosis
            1. Biomarkers (CSF, PET imaging)
            2. Cognitive assessments
         4. Treatment Options
            1. Cholinesterase inhibitors
            2. NMDA receptor antagonists
            3. Alternative and supportive therapies
         5. Preventive Strategies
            1. Lifestyle interventions
            2. Pharmacological studies underway
      2. Parkinson’s Disease
         1. Pathophysiology
            1. Dopaminergic neuron degeneration
            2. Lewy bodies
         2. Genetic and Environmental Factors
            1. SNCA, LRRK2, PARK7, etc.
            2. Pesticide exposure, head trauma
         3. Clinical Presentation
            1. Motor symptoms: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia
            2. Non-motor symptoms: cognitive decline, mood disorders
         4. Therapeutic Approaches
            1. Levodopa and dopamine agonists
            2. Deep brain stimulation
            3. Physical and occupational therapies
      3. Huntington’s Disease
         1. Genetic Basis
            1. HTT gene mutation, CAG repeat expansion
         2. Pathological Mechanisms
            1. Neuronal death in basal ganglia
            2. Dysfunctional protein aggregates
         3. Symptomatology
            1. Motor disturbances: chorea, dystonia
            2. Cognitive and psychiatric symptoms
         4. Management Strategies
            1. Symptomatic treatment
            2. Genetic counseling and testing
   2. Neurodevelopmental Disorders
      1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
         1. Genetic and Environmental Influences
            1. Complex polygenic inheritance
            2. Prenatal exposure risks
         2. Neurobiological Characteristics
            1. Brain connectivity anomalies
            2. Neurotransmitter imbalances
         3. Diagnostic Criteria
            1. Behavioral assessments and observation scales
         4. Interventions
            1. Behavioral therapies (ABA)
            2. Communication skills training
            3. Pharmacotherapy for associated symptoms
      2. Schizophrenia
         1. Neurobiological Hypotheses
            1. Dopaminergic, glutamatergic dysfunction
            2. Neuroanatomical changes: enlarged ventricles, cortical thinning
         2. Genetic Susceptibility
            1. Polygenic risk scores
            2. Gene environment interactions
         3. Symptom Management
            1. Antipsychotics
            2. Psychosocial interventions
            3. Cognitive remediation therapy
      3. ADHD
         1. Etiology
            1. Role of genetic factors
            2. Prenatal and perinatal influences
         2. Neurophysiological Aspects
            1. Variations in brain connectivity
            2. Executive function deficits
         3. Diagnostic Approaches
            1. Behavioral assessment
            2. Rating scales
         4. Treatment Modalities
            1. Psychostimulants and non-stimulant medications
            2. Behavioral therapy and educational interventions
   3. Psychiatric Disorders
      1. Depression and Anxiety
         1. Underlying Neurobiology
            1. Monoamine hypothesis
            2. HPA axis dysregulation
         2. Risk Factors
            1. Genetic predisposition
            2. Environmental stressors
         3. Treatment Options
            1. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs)
            2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
            3. Novel therapies (ketamine, psychedelics)
      2. Bipolar Disorder
         1. Pathophysiological Insights
            1. Circadian rhythm disturbances
            2. Neurotransmitter irregularities
         2. Genetic Correlates
            1. Familial aggregation
            2. GWAS findings
         3. Mood Stabilization
            1. Lithium, anticonvulsants
            2. Psychotherapeutic approaches
   4. Neurological Disorders
      1. Epilepsy
         1. Mechanisms of Seizure Genesis
            1. Ion channelopathies
            2. Structural lesions
         2. Classification
            1. Focal vs. generalized seizures
            2. Syndromic categorization
         3. Management and Control
            1. Antiepileptic drugs
            2. Surgical interventions
            3. Dietary therapies
      2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
         1. Immunopathogenesis
            1. Autoimmune demyelination
            2. Role of oligodendrocytes
         2. Environmental Triggers
            1. Viral infections
            2. Vitamin D deficiency
         3. Disease Modifying Therapies
            1. Immunomodulatory agents
            2. Symptomatic treatment options
   5. Trauma and Injury
      1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
         1. Mechanisms and Effects
            1. Primary vs secondary injury processes
            2. Neuroinflammation
         2. Acute Management
            1. Ensuring cerebral perfusion and oxygenation
            2. Surgical interventions when necessary
         3. Rehabilitation
            1. Neurorehabilitation techniques
            2. Cognitive and physical therapies
      2. Spinal Cord Injury
         1. Pathophysiological Impact
            1. Immediate physical damage and secondary processes
            2. Cellular apoptosis and scarring
         2. Acute Care Strategies
            1. Mitigation of further injury
            2. Early mobilization efforts
         3. Long-term Recovery and Support
            1. Assistive technology
            2. Spinal cord stimulation and regenerative therapies