1st SEMESTER	Teaching hours/week	ECTS
1	Biostatistics & Methodology, Scientific Writing/Presentation	3	4
2	Anatomy of the Skull Base, Spine & Meninges	3	5
3	Functional Neuroanatomy I: Principles of Nervous System Development & Cerebral Cortex	3	5
4	Functional Neuroanatomy II: Deep Brain Structures, Brainstem/Cranial Nerves & Cerebellum	3	6
5	Functional Neuroanatomy III: Spinal Cord & Peripheral Nervous System	3	5
6	Neuroimaging	3	5
	TOTAL	18	30
2nd SEMESTER
7	Neuroanatomy IV: Chemical and Molecular Neuroanatomy	3	6
8	Neurological Disorders I: Vascular Disorders, Epilepsy, Headache	3	6
9	Neurological Disorders II: Neurodegenerative, Idiopathic/Inflammatory/Autoimmune Disorders of the Nervous System	3	6
10	Neurosurgery I: Neurotraumatology/Neurocritical Care	3	6
11	Neurosurgery II: Neuro-oncology	3	6
	TOTAL	15	30
3rd SEMESTER
12	Neurosurgery III: Functional Neurosurgery	3	6
13	Neurosurgery IV: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring/Mapping	3	6
14	Neuropsychology in Neurosurgery	3	6
15	Neuroanatomy Laboratory I: Neurosurgical Approaches to the Skull Base and Spine	3	6
16	Neuroanatomy Laboratory II: White Matter	3	6
	TOTAL	15	30
4th SEMESTER
17	Master’s Thesis		30

1. Biostatistics, Methodology & Scientific Writing/Presentation

The course covers, on the one hand, the processing, analysis and presentation of data in the Health Sciences (including the use of specialised software and new technologies) and, on the other, research methodology in the wider field of Medical Science. Research methodology provides precisely the guidance needed to collect and organise evidence, interpret cases and present research findings in a way that allows them to be verified by other researchers. The learning objectives of the course units are:

• To familiarise postgraduate students with the basic methods of data collection and analysis in the Health Sciences.
• To introduce them to the basic principles of designing clinical and epidemiological studies, as well as to the basic principles of writing and submitting papers to reputable international journals and conferences, and of presenting scientific work.

Recommended Reading:

NKUA Code of Ethics and Good Practice
Research Methodology in the Health Sciences (Lagoumintzis, Vlachopoulos, Koutsogiannis)
Research Methodology and Introduction to Statistical Data Analysis with IBM SPSS STATISTICS (Chalikias, Lalou, Manolesou)
Biostatistics and Applications (Papageorgiou)

 

2. Anatomy of the Skull Base, Spine & Meninges.

The course covers the descriptive, topographical, surgical and clinical anatomy of the skull base, the spine and the meninges of the brain and spinal cord. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Know the bones that make up the neurocranium and the facial (visceral) cranium, its foramina and the anatomical structures that pass through them.
• Recognise the anatomical landmarks of the craniofacial complex.
• Recognise the individual cranial sutures and the fontanelles.
• Know the anatomical division of the skull base into fossae, their foramina, boundaries and significance.
• Understand the extracranial approach to the skull base: identification of bones, foramina and important anatomical spaces.
• Delineate the orbit, the nasal cavity, the cavernous sinus and the paranasal sinuses and their drainage.
• Recognise the topographical, descriptive and functional anatomy of the regions of the spine.
• Recognise the topographical, descriptive, surgical and functional anatomy of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord.

Recommended Reading:

Neuroanatomy (Johnson)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Waxman)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Snell)
The Frontal Sinus: Surgical Approaches and Controversies (Georgalas and Sama)
Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery: From the Lab to the Operating Room – An Evidence-based Approach (Georgalas and Fokkens)

3. Functional Neuroanatomy I: Principles of Nervous System Development & Cerebral Cortex

This course introduces the principles of nervous system development and examines in depth the functional anatomy of the cerebral cortex. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the stages of development of the nervous system.
• Recognise the organisation of the cerebral hemispheres.
• Recognise the surface anatomy of the cerebral cortex.
• Recognise and describe the cytoarchitecture and connectional anatomy of the cerebral cortex.
• Recognise the important cortical centres of the brain and describe their functions.
• Recognise and describe the blood supply of the cerebral cortex.

Recommended Reading:

Neuroanatomy (Johnson)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Waxman)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Snell)
Applied Cranial-Cerebral Anatomy (Ribas 2018, Chapter 2, The cerebral Architecture)
Applied Cranial-Cerebral Anatomy (Ribas 2018, Chapter 3, Cranial-Cerebral Relationships Applied to Microneurosurgery)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Anatomy, Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery

4. Functional Neuroanatomy II: Deep Brain Structures, Brainstem/Cranial Nerves & Cerebellum.

The course covers the functional anatomy of the deep brain structures (ventricular system, temporal lobe structures, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, basal ganglia, thalamus, deep white matter tracts), as well as of the brainstem/cranial nerves and the cerebellum. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Recognise and describe the topographical, surgical, cytoarchitectural and functional anatomy of the deep structures, the brainstem/cranial nerves and the cerebellum
• Know the anatomo-functional systems in which the above anatomical structures participate, such as the limbic system and the Papez circuit.
• Recognise and describe the functional anatomy of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and their axes, as well as recognise and describe the clinical presentation, aetiology, diagnostic methods and management of their disorders.
• Recognise and describe the blood supply and development of these structures, the brainstem and the cerebellum.
• Describe the functions of the autonomic nervous system related to the above structures.

Recommended Reading:

Neuroanatomy (Johnson)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Waxman)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Snell)
Connections of Basal Ganglia – Anatomy (Kenhub)
Thalamic Nuclei – Connections, Functions & Anatomy (Kenhub)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Brain Structure and Function, Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery

5. Functional Neuroanatomy III: Spinal Cord & Peripheral Nervous System

The course covers the functional anatomy of the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the stages of development of the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system.
• Recognise and describe the topographical, surgical and functional anatomy of the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system.
• Recognise and describe the blood supply of the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system.

Recommended Reading:
Neuroanatomy (Johnson)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Waxman)
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Snell)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Anatomy, Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, Spine

6. Neuroimaging

This course analyses the methodology of modern neuroimaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance neuroimaging (diffusion imaging, perfusion imaging, spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging-tractography and functional imaging), and highlights their importance in the anatomo-functional study of the human nervous system. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the basic principles of modern imaging techniques.
• Recognise the anatomo-functional features of structures of the central and peripheral nervous system on imaging and understand the usefulness of neuroimaging methods in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of neurological/neurosurgical disorders.

Recommended Reading:
Neuroimaging: Anatomy meets function (Agarwal, Port)
Neuroimaging (Greenberg)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Neuroimaging, Neuroradiology, American Journal of Neuroradiology, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy

7. Neuroanatomy IV: Chemical and Molecular Neuroanatomy

This course covers the central and peripheral distribution of neurotransmitter systems, their receptors and their mechanisms of action. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Recognise the different mechanisms of neurotransmission.
• Describe the anatomo-functional and molecular basis of neurotransmission by molecules such as amino acids, acetylcholine, purines, peptides, biogenic amines and lipids.
• Know the therapeutic agents related to the actions of the above molecules in clinical practice, as well as current clinical trials

Recommended Reading:
Core Textbooks:
Clinical Neuroanatomy, Stephen G. Waxman (Chapter 3)
Nestler, Hyman & Malenka’s Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (Chapters 2-8).
Related scientific journals:
Annual Review of Neuroscience, Biological Psychiatry, Brain Research, Brain Structure and Function, Cell, Cell and Tissue Research, Current Opinion in Neurobiology, European Journal of Neuroscience, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Journal of Comparative Neurology, Journal of Neurochemistry, Journal of Neuroscience, Nature Reviews Disease Primers, Neurobiology of Disease, Neuroendocrinology, Neuron, Neuropharmacology, Neuropsychopharmacology, Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Behavioural Reviews

8. Neurological Disorders I: Vascular Disorders, Epilepsy, Headache

The course covers stroke and other disorders of the nervous system of vascular aetiology, seizures, epilepsy and headaches. On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Know the characteristics of these disorders, from molecular pathology to clinical presentation and classification
• Know the current approaches to the diagnosis/prognosis, treatment and post-treatment follow-up of patients with these disorders, as derived from clinical studies and experimental models.

Recommended Reading:
Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Neurology (Brust)
Essential Neurology (Wilkinson & Graham)
Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy: A Localization-Based Approach (Berkowitz)
Related scientific journals: Neurology, Current Opinion in Neurology, Nature Reviews Neurology, Stroke, European Journal of Stroke, Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, Pain, Journal of Headache and Pain, Epilepsia, Cephalalgia

9. Neurological Disorders II: Neurodegenerative, Idiopathic/Inflammatory/Autoimmune Disorders of the Nervous System

The course covers neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease) as well as idiopathic/inflammatory/autoimmune disorders of the nervous system (such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune ataxias, peripheral neuropathies and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus). On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Know the characteristics of these disorders, from molecular pathology to clinical presentation and classification.
• Know the current approaches to the diagnosis/prognosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with these disorders, as derived from clinical studies and experimental models.

Recommended Reading:
Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Neurology (Brust)
Essential Neurology (Wilkinson & Graham)
Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy: A Localization-Based Approach (Berkowitz)
Related scientific journals: Neurology, Current Opinion in Neurology, Nature Reviews Neurology, Movement Disorders, Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy

10. Neurosurgery I: Neurotraumatology/Neurocritical Care

The course covers the neurotraumatology and neurocritical care of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Its learning objectives are:

• Knowledge of the pathological mechanisms of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, as derived from experimental models and clinical studies.
• To familiarise postgraduate students with the diagnostic and prognostic methods in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
• Knowledge of current approaches to the neurocritical care of patients with traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, and of the methods used to assess their outcome.

Recommended Reading:
Neurotrauma (Maiden and Jallo)
Neurotrauma: A Comprehensive Textbook on Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury (Wang)
Textbook of Neurointensive Care (Layon, Gabrielli, Friedman)
Related scientific journals: Neurocritical Care, Journal of Neurotrauma, Neurosurgery, Spine

11. Neurosurgery II: Neuro-oncology

The course analyses neoplasms of the nervous system, from carcinogenesis to post-treatment follow-up. The learning objectives are:

• To familiarise postgraduate students with the current classification of nervous system tumours and their clinical/imaging, cellular and molecular features.
• To understand current protocols for the preoperative work-up and the surgical, radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic management of nervous system tumours
• To understand the methods for monitoring the outcome of patients with nervous system tumours.

Recommended Reading:
Neuro-oncology: The Essentials (Bernstein and Berger)
Surgical Neuro-Oncology (Lonser and Elder)
Related scientific journals: Neuro-Oncology, Journal of Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Radiotherapy and Oncology

12. Neurosurgery III: Functional Neurosurgery

The course analyses current techniques of functional neurosurgery and their therapeutic value for a range of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and spasticity. The objectives of this course are:

• To familiarise postgraduate students with the methods of functional neurosurgery.
• To recognise the indications as well as the anatomical and functional basis of electrical and chemical neuromodulation.
• To recognise the complications of functional neurosurgery and to know the outcome of functional neurosurgery patients.

Recommended Reading:
Functional Neurosurgery: The Essentials (Brown, Pilitsis, Schulder)
Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation (Burchiel and Raslan)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Neurosurgery, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

13. Neurosurgery IV: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring/Mapping

The course covers intraoperative neuromonitoring and brain mapping. The objectives of this course are:

• To familiarise postgraduate students with the methods of intraoperative neuromonitoring and intraoperative brain mapping.
• To highlight the value of intraoperative brain mapping in awake craniotomy.

Recommended Reading:
Clinical Neurophysiology (Daroff, Jankovic, Mazziotta, Pomeroy)
Intraoperative Neurophysiology: A Comprehensive Guide to Monitoring and Mapping (Simon)
Surgical Neurophysiology – 2nd Edition: A Reference Guide to Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (Jahangiri)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Neurophysiology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Journal of Neurosurgery

14. Neuropsychology in Neurosurgery

This course analyses the methodology of neuropsychological assessment and its contribution to the (differential) diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and postoperative evaluation of neurosurgical patients. The objectives of the course are:

• To familiarise postgraduate students with the methodology and anatomo-functional basis of the main methods of neuropsychological assessment.
• To highlight the usefulness of neuropsychological assessment methods in neurosurgical patients.

Recommended Reading:

Neurosurgical Neuropsychology. The Practical Application of Neuropsychology in the Neurosurgical Practice (Pearson, Ecklund-Johnson and Gale)

Related scientific journals: Neuropsychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Journal of Neurosurgery

15. Neuroanatomy Laboratory I: Neurosurgical Approaches to the Skull Base and Spine

The course focuses on laboratory teaching of skull base and spine approaches. On completion of the laboratory sessions, students will be able to:

• Recognise the anatomy of the skull base and spine, brain and spinal cord, and their related blood supply, as seen during basic and complex/advanced neurosurgical approaches.
• Perform simple and complex/advanced approaches to the skull base and spine.

Recommended Reading:
Operative Cranial Neurosurgical Anatomy (Gagliardi, Gragnaniello, Mortini, Caputy)
Atlas of Neurosurgical Techniques (Sekhar and Fessler)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Neurosurgery, Operative Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine

16. Neuroanatomy Laboratory II: White Matter

The course focuses on laboratory teaching of the dissection, identification and detailed anatomical description of cerebral white matter fibres, in order to further highlight their functional and surgical significance. On completion of the laboratory sessions, students will be able to:

• Know the methodology of white matter fibre dissection
• Dissect white matter tracts following the inside-out and outside-in approaches
• Recognise and describe in detail the anatomical features of the main white matter tracts of the human brain

Recommended Reading:
Operative Cranial Neurosurgical Anatomy (Gagliardi, Gragnaniello, Mortini, Caputy)
Atlas of Neurosurgical Techniques (Sekhar and Fessler)
Related scientific journals: Journal of Neurosurgery, Operative Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine