Egyptian Board Neurology study plan
Egyptian Board Neurology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Basic neuroscience: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology & Emergency neurology, neurocritical care, and ethics/patient safety
Map the major ascending and descending tracts, cranial nerve nuclei, and brainstem cross-sectional anatomy from memory by drawing three transverse brainstem sections and labelling each structure
Explain the ionic basis of the resting membrane potential and action potential propagation, then predict the clinical effect of blocking sodium, potassium, and calcium channels with named drugs
Classify the mechanisms of ischaemic neuronal injury (excitotoxicity, calcium influx, free radical generation, apoptosis) and link each to a target for acute stroke therapy
List the first-line management steps and time targets for the first 60 minutes of status epilepticus and of acute ischaemic stroke, and state the ethical basis for capacity assessment in an acutely confused patient
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn brainstem and tract summary sheet plus a 20-item self-test on neurophysiology and neuropharmacology scored at 80% or above
Basic neuroscience: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology & Emergency neurology, neurocritical care, and ethics/patient safety
Describe the neuropathological hallmarks and microscopic findings of infarction, haemorrhage, demyelination, and the common neurodegenerative diseases
Compare the pharmacology, mechanisms, and adverse effects of antiseizure drugs, antiparkinsonian drugs, and migraine abortives in a single comparative table
Apply a structured approach to coma, raised intracranial pressure, and brain death determination, including the prerequisites and confounding factors for clinical brain death testing
Explain the principles of neurocritical care monitoring: intracranial pressure waveforms, cerebral perfusion pressure targets, and pupillometry
Your checkpoint
A completed drug comparison table of at least 25 agents with mechanism, indication, and key adverse effect for each, plus 15 neurocritical care vignettes answered with reasoning
Cerebrovascular disorders: ischemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis & Neuroimaging interpretation: CT, MRI, vascular imaging
Differentiate ischaemic stroke subtypes using the TOAST classification and state the investigation that confirms each aetiology
Interpret non-contrast CT and MRI findings of acute infarction, intracerebral haemorrhage, and subarachnoid haemorrhage at defined time points after onset
Outline the indications, contraindications, and time windows for intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, and calculate a NIHSS score from a written clinical description
Describe the diagnostic criteria and anticoagulation approach for cerebral venous thrombosis, including the role of MR venography
Your checkpoint
A written report of ten stroke and vascular imaging cases (text-only descriptions) each with imaging interpretation, aetiological classification, and management plan
Epilepsy and paroxysmal disorders: classification, antiseizure therapy, status epilepticus & Headache and facial pain, including primary and secondary headache disorders
Classify seizures and epilepsies using the current ILAE framework and justify each classification decision from a written semiology description
Select and titrate antiseizure therapy for focal, generalised, and special-population epilepsy, stating teratogenicity and interaction concerns
Distinguish primary headache disorders from secondary causes by applying red-flag criteria and the ICHD diagnostic structure to written vignettes
Explain the pathophysiology and acute and preventive treatment of status epilepticus, migraine, and cluster headache
Your checkpoint
A 30-question mixed epilepsy and headache examination with a written rationale for every answer, achieving 75% or above
Milestones
Week 4: Score 75% or above on the 30-question epilepsy and headache self-examination and correctly classify at least 8 of 10 seizure semiology vignettes
Week 6: Complete the neuromuscular and demyelinating disease case portfolio with correct localisation in at least 9 of 12 cases and a passing score on the mid-plan cumulative 40-question test
Week 8: Achieve 70% or above on a full-length timed mock examination covering all 12 domains, with every incorrect item reviewed and a written error-analysis note