Neurology is nowadays one of the most propulsive branches of medicine. Due to great technological advances in the last 50 years followed by a swift progress of medical sciences, today’s principles of recognising and treating neurological diseases have changed considerably, compared to the past. Rapid development and improvement of diagnostic methods, such as medical imaging, laboratory tests and electrophysiological analysis, enabled better understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms that cause neurological diseases. This has eventually led to the development of numerous new medications and therapeutic methods, both pharmacological and neurosurgical. Consequently, today’s neurology and neurosurgery are listed among medical disciplines that have made the biggest progress in the era of modern medicine, with considerably more optimistic disease prognosis.
Neurological diseases have a dynamic growth and they are prevailing in the general population, especially in the more economically developed parts of the world. One of the reasons for it is aging of population, followed by a rise in the number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Another reason is a modern way of life followed by a rise in the number of cerebrovascular diseases.However, better diagnostic methods and medical services are highly available, which enables a better and more frequent detection of neurological symptoms, i.e. diseases.
Chronic neurological diseases occur inall age groups, not just the elderly, and as they affect different parts of the central nervous system (motor skills, senses, sphincter disorders, balance disorders, vision, hearing), they can considerably lower the quality of life and shorten the lifespan of the patients.
The aim of the course is to introduce the most common and most important neurological diseases, syndromes and disorders, to enable understanding and mastering the basic notions about pathoanatomical and pathophysiological mechanisms that cause neurological diseases, their clinical signs and early recognition of neurological symptoms; furthermore, to introduce the specifics of a neurological approach and examination, the basic diagnostic methods, principles and methods of treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of neurological diseases, as well as procedures in case of an acute life threat of neurological causes, and finally, to offer training in administering first aid and providing for patients in acute and urgent neurological conditions.
The course is organised as an integrated study of neurology and neurosurgery, with a combination of lectures, seminars and exercises. The following course content is taught: cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy and other paroxysmal consciousness disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular diseases, movement disorders, tumours and nervous system traumas, headaches, vertigo, diagnostic methods.
Head of Department:
Associate professor Silvio Bašić, MD, PhD
Teachers and associates