UKOM Sp.N (Neurology) study plan

Map the arterial territories and venous drainage of the brain onto blank axial and sagittal templates, labelling the circle of Willis and the main perforator groups from memory.

Distinguish ischaemic core from penumbra on the basis of perfusion thresholds, and state which imaging modality demonstrates each in routine practice.

Outline the time windows, eligibility criteria and contraindications for intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, and recite the door-to-needle targets used in your local stroke pathway.

Classify intracerebral haemorrhage by location and probable mechanism, and list the reversible causes that must be excluded in a young patient.

Explain the principles of raised intracranial pressure management and the indications for decompressive hemicraniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.

Describe the stepwise assessment of a patient with acute altered consciousness, ordering the history, examination and investigation elements by clinical urgency.

Localise lesions to cortex, subcortex, brainstem or spinal cord using pattern recognition of motor, sensory and cranial nerve findings, and justify each localisation in writing.

Interpret lumbar puncture results in subarachnoid haemorrhage, bacterial meningitis and viral encephalitis, including xanthochromia timing and opening pressure.

Explain the neurocritical care approach to status epilepticus, including the escalation from benzodiazepines to second-line and anaesthetic agents.

Perform and document a structured coma examination, including brainstem reflexes and breathing pattern interpretation.

Practise a full neurological examination sequence (cranial nerves, tone, power, reflexes, coordination, gait) and time yourself to complete it in under fifteen minutes.

Interpret computed tomography appearances of acute infarct, haemorrhage, mass effect and herniation, and state the earliest signs of each.

Differentiate T1, T2, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted and gradient-echo sequences by the tissue contrast they produce and the pathology each best demonstrates.

Identify the findings on angiography and venography that distinguish arterial occlusion, aneurysm and venous sinus thrombosis.

Explain the indications, limitations and safety considerations of contrast administration and of imaging in pregnancy.

Compare the clinical and paraclinical features that separate multiple sclerosis from neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and from MOG antibody-associated disease.

Apply the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis to written vignettes, deciding whether dissemination in space and time is satisfied.

Classify peripheral neuropathy by fibre type, temporal course and distribution, and match each pattern to a short differential.

Interpret nerve conduction study and needle electromyography reports to distinguish axonal from demyelinating pathology and to localise a lesion.

Outline the acute management of Guillain-Barre syndrome, including indications for plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin and the monitoring required for respiratory and autonomic failure.

Localise neuromuscular junction and muscle disease using fatigability, diurnal variation, reflex preservation and creatine kinase patterns.

Describe the rehabilitation goals and functional outcome measures used after stroke, spinal cord injury and acquired brain injury, and name the members of the multidisciplinary team.

Classify seizures and epilepsies using the current terminology, and distinguish focal from generalised onset on clinical grounds.

Select and interpret the first-line antiseizure medication for focal and for generalised epilepsy, stating the main adverse effects and teratogenic risks.

Differentiate narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome and rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder by history and sleep study findings.

Distinguish Parkinson disease from atypical parkinsonism using red flags in the history and examination, including early falls, autonomic failure and supranuclear gaze palsy.

Explain the pharmacology of levodopa, dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, including motor complications and the approach to wearing-off.

Describe the core features and diagnostic approach to essential tremor, dystonia, chorea and the cerebellar ataxias.

Differentiate primary headache syndromes by attack frequency, duration, triggers and associated features, and identify the red flags requiring urgent imaging.

Outline the acute and preventive treatment of migraine and the management of medication-overuse headache.

Localise cranial nerve lesions causing facial weakness, diplopia, dysphagia and trigeminal pain.

Recognise the behavioural and cognitive phenotypes of frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer disease and Lewy body dementia, and match each to its characteristic imaging pattern.

Assess delirium and differentiate it from dementia and from depression using structured screening tools.

Describe the developmental milestones and red flags that prompt referral in an infant or child with delayed motor or language development.

Appraise a randomised controlled trial in neurology for randomisation, blinding, outcome selection and applicability, and state the number needed to treat.

Explain the principles of evidence grading and how guidance is translated into a local protocol.

Apply the principles of consent, capacity assessment and best-interests decision-making to neurological scenarios such as thrombolysis in a patient with impaired cognition.

Explain the legal and ethical duties around driving advice, fitness to work, and reporting of seizures and disorders of consciousness.

Describe how to disclose a harmful medical error and the duty of candour, and identify the patient safety factors in a neurology ward.

Rehearse the communication of a new diagnosis of a progressive neurological disease, including the involvement of family and the multidisciplinary team.

Consolidate weak areas from earlier weeks by re-testing on the two domains with the lowest practice scores.