COURSE OUTLINE

BSC CLINICAL MEDICINE

Course code: Course Name- CENTRAL NEREVOUS SYSTEM AND MOTOR

Class:
Credit Factors:
Contact Hours: 45

Lecturer: FREDRICK O OTIENO

Cell phone; 0718397280
Email; Fredrickotieno23@gmail.com
Department of Medical physiology

COURSE OUTLINE

Prerequisite: Cellular Basis of Life, Introduction to cell Physiology, embryology and gross anatomy
a) Purpose:
Brain mechanisms in sensation and perception are analysed in detail for vision, hearing and touch, and for the
position sense arising from muscles, joints and the vestibular apparatus. The sensorimotor mechanisms responsible
for the control of fine movement and postural regulation are also studied at different levels of the nervous system,
from the sensory and motor nerves within muscles through to the highest levels of cerebral cortical function.
Segments are also included on nerve transmitters and neuromodulators; neural mechanisms in certain higher
functions, e.g. language and memory; and nervous system plasticity. Experimental work introduces the student to
electrophysiological and other neuroscience research techniques, and in seminar-discussion groups to a critical
evaluation of neuroscience research literature.

b) Expected Learning outcomes;

At the end of the course unit, the learner will be able to:
1. State the basic components of the central nervous system.
2. Discuss the properties of the neuron.
3. List the major divisions of the cerebrum, their functions, and lesion manifestations for each.
4. Identify the basal ganglia, extrapyramidal system and the clinical significance of each.
5. List the major portions of the brain stem and the manifestations of lesions at each level.
6. Identify the functions of the cerebellum and the clinical signs/symptoms of lesions.
7. List the basic tracts of the pyramidal system and the functions of each.
8. Identify the components of the spinal cord itself.
9. Define laterality of brain function and give examples of same.
10. Explain the clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid.
11. Identify the information/impulses carried by the sensory system.
12. List the various receptors responsible to sensation.
13. Discuss the abnormal signs/symptoms of sensory impairment.
14.  List the tracts responsible for sensory integration. o Define the Romberg test. o Discuss several clinical
conditions in which sensory impairment is a significant feature and how this affects the delivery of physical
 therapy. o Classify different types/characteristics of pain

c) Course Content
FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE NERVOURS SYSTEM
 Sensory (input) systems Motor (Output) systems Other central Analyser (brain) functions Environment of
the Neuron
ROLES OF CEREBRAL CORTEX IN CONTROL OF BODY MOVEMENTS
 Converting abstract through into motor activity.
 Carrying out decisions made in response to sensory information.
 Planning and programming of the movements.
 Activation (initiation) of innate / stored patterns of movement.
 Interaction with other motor control parts of the CNS.
 Continuous review and adjustment of the commands.
ROLES OF BASAL GANGLIA IN CONTORL OF BODY MOVEMENTS
 Functional anatomy of basal ganglia
 Role in planning and programming of the movements
 Role in planning and programming of the movements.
 Cognitive control of sequences of motor patterns.
 Control of postural adjustment movements.
 Control of gross intentional stereotyped movements.
 Inhibition of muscle tone.
ROLES OF CEREBELLUM IN CONTROL OF BODY MOVEMENTS
 Functional Anatomy of the cerebellum
 Roles in control of fine movements of body extremities
 Roles in planning and time sequencing of movements.
 Roles in maintenance of balance and equilibrium.
 Roles in control of ballistic movements.
 Mechanisms used: Damping / facilitation.
ROLES OF OTHER PARTS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM IN CONTORL OF MOVEMENTS
 Roles of the brainstem and Diencephalon.
 Roles of the spinal cord
 Roles of the final common path.
INTEGRATED COTNORL OF BODY MOVEMENTS
 Cerebral Cortex / Red Nucleus – final movements
 Basal ganglia / Brain stem – postural adjustment movements.
 Cerebellum / vestibular nuclei – balance and equilibrium.
  Cerebellum / Cerebrum / Basalgauglia / Brainstem – coordination.  Effector organs / spinal cord /
Cerebellum – Feedback mechanisms.  Summary of Descending / ascending tracts involved in movement
control.

Weeks Topics Course description

Week 1 FUNCTIONAL Sensory (input) systems Motor (Output)

ORGANIZATION OF THE systems Other central Analyser (brain)
NERVOURS SYSTEM functions Environment of the Neuron

Week 2 ROLES OF OTHER PARTS Roles of the brainstem and Diencephalon.

OF NERVOUS SYSTEM IN Roles of the spinal cord Roles of the final
CONTORL OF common path.
MOVEMENTS
Week 3

Week 4 ROLES OF CEREBRAL Converting abstract through into motor activity.

CORTEX IN CONTROL OF Carrying out decisions made in response to
BODY MOVEMENTS sensory information.
Planning and programming of the movements.

Week 5 Activation (initiation) of innate / stored patterns

of movement.
Interaction with other motor control parts of the
CNS.
Continuous review and adjustment of the
commands.

Week 6 ROLES OF BASAL Functional anatomy of basal ganglia

GANGLIA IN CONTORL OF Role in planning and programming of the
BODY MOVEMENTS movements
Role in planning and programming of the
movements.

Week 7 Cognitive control of sequences of motor

patterns
Control of postural adjustment movements.
Control of gross intentional stereotyped
movements. Inhibition of muscle tone

Week 8 ROLES OF CEREBELLUM Functional Anatomy of the cerebellum

IN CONTROL OF BODY Roles in control of fine movements of body
MOVEMENTS extremities
Roles in planning and time sequencing of
movements.

Week 9 Roles in maintenance of balance and

equilibrium.
Roles in control of ballistic movements.
Mechanisms used: Damping / facilitation

Week 10 Applied physiology

Week 11 Cat one and two

Week 12

Week 13 &14

d) Teaching Methodologies

Lectures, Tutorials, Practicals,

e) Instructional Materials/ Equipment

Laboratory manuals, and laboratory equipment, computer, LCD Projector

f) Course Assessment

Practicals 10%, Assignments 5%, Continuous Assessment Tests 15%, viva voce 10% End of Semester
Examinations 60%
g) Course Textbooks

1. Guyton text book of medical physiology 15th edition

2. A review of medical physiology Ganong
3. Essentials of medical physiology
4. Arthur C. G. (1984). Physiology of the Human Body. Harcourt Brace College Publishers ISBN-13: 978-0-03-
058341-4, ISBN: 0-03-058341-1.
5. Kim, B. (2012). Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 24 th Edition (Lange Basic Science). McGraw-Hill
Medical publication. ISBN-10: 0071780033; ISBN-13: 978-0071780032.
6. Marieb, E. N. & Hoehn, K. (2009). Human Anatomy and Physiology. 8 th Edition. Benjamin Cummins
Publication Company.. Massachusetts. ISBN-10: 0805395695; ISBN-13: 978-0805395693.
7. Saladin, K. S., and Miller, L. (2004). Anatomy & physiology. McGraw-Hill, 6th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-07-
749691-3, ISBN: 0-07-749691-4.
h) Course Journals

1. Human physiology. Springer International Publishing AG.ISSN: 0362-1197 (print version) ISSN: 1608-3164
(electronic version).
2. European Journal of Applied Physiology. Springer International Publishing AG. ISSN: 1439-6319 (Print);
ISSN: 1439-6327
3. Physiology and Behavior. Elsevier. ISSN: 0031-9384.

i) Reference Text Books

1. Netter, F. H. (2014). Atlas of human anatomy, 6th Edition. Saunders ISBN-13: 978-1-4557-0418-7, ISBN: 1-

4557-0418-0.
2. Standring, S. (2008). "Gray’s anatomy." The anatomical basis of clinical practice. 39th Edition. Churchill
Livingstone. ISBN-13: 978-0-443-06684-9, ISBN: 0-443-06684-1.
3. Stuart, I. F. (2012). HumanPhysiology. 13th Edition. McGraw-Hill Science. ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340362-
5, ISBN: 0-07-340362-8.

j) Reference Journals

1. Human Biology. Wayne State University Press. ISSN: 0018-7143.

2. Physiological Reports. John Wiley & Sons ISSN: 2051-817X.
3. Physiological Reviews. American Physiological Society. ISSN: 1522-121.0