“How to Survive” Guide – 5 Year

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1

HOW TO SURVIVE
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5 Year

Image taken from: http://www.punyajokes.com/cartoons/stress.gif

 FALL
2008
Co-Founders of SD Survival Guides: Samuel Anandan (Class of 2008), Akeem Marsh (Class of 2007)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Hello everyone!

This is the first study guide for 5 year classes, and as such, we do not have enough advice to make
th

individual guides for each class. In this guide, you will find advice for each class you have to take,
including neuropsychiatry, systemic pathology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology.

Topic Pages
Neuropsychiatry – Advice 2
Neuropsychiatry – Exam 1 Information (from Akeem Marsh)
Neuropsychiatry – Exam 2 Information (from Akeem Marsh)
Systemic Pathology 20
Epidemiology 22
Pathophysiology 22
Physical Diagnosis 24
Comprehensive Basic Science Exam 25

How to Survive: 5th Year

Samuel Anandan (Class of 2008)
Galina Borodulina (Class of 2007)
Barry Ladizinski (Class of 2007)
Akeem Marsh (Class of 2007)
Shayla Syed (Class of 2007)

NEUROPSYCHIATRY

Advice from Samuel Anandan

Don’t waste your time with this course. The behavioral drugs are really important, for the USMLE. A
lot of this stuff is now thinking forward for the USMLE, and for the wards, no longer just to pass a
class. The notes are great. That’s really all you need, and read whatever you liked for pharmacology for
the drugs. Really, it’s not a difficult class at all. Use the time you normally would spend studying for
this on path.

Advice from Akeem Marsh

The name Neuro-Psychiatry, doesn’t that sound very sophisticated and medical professional-ish. Well
that it certainly is, but not one course, much like it’s predecessor Behavioral Medicine, that you will not
have to lose sleep over. In many ways, this is just an extension of Behavioral Medicine so advice is
really not necessary. I can say nothing at all and half of you, maybe more will still get A’s haha.
Having said that, I will still provide some information that those of you that like this sort of thing may
find helpful.

What you learn in this class mostly is about psychiatric illnesses (dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia,
attention deficit disorder, …) and how to treat all these diseases. I think this class, unlike Behavioral
Medicine, was completely lecture notes oriented. Your written exams will be in the same format as
they were in behavioral medicine, about 30-50 multiple choice questions and you will find them to be
very easy. I have some notes compiled together and they are derived from all of the lecture notes. You
may find these helpful because it condenses everything together sort of succinctly and I added in some
mnemonics as well.

The best books to use for this course are in my opinion Behavioral Science BRS and PreTest in
Psychiatry (yes, Step 2 psychiatry). I think that is the MOST relevant for both your coursework and
your miniboard. The Behavioral Science PreTest is a shameful book in the pretest series and those of
you that decide to invest in it, and I know some will unfortunately, will probably regret that purchase as
it is completely irrelevant. PreTest in Psychiatry is good for both coursework and for the miniboard.

I have heard of two different versions of the miniboard, either one heavily centered on ethics questions
and one with a lot of drug questions. In any case, if you even study for your Neuro-Psychiatry course
at all, you should be well prepared for your miniboard. The ethics questions will be like Patient Doctor
all over again asking questions about how one should interact with patients (common sense) or the drug
filled exam, which you should be ready for anyway because that is mostly what Neuro-Psychiatry is
about.

Enjoy this “vacation” while it lasts because when you get hit with the real stuff, i.e. pathology, you will
have to work a bit harder than you did for this course. If you care to use them, the notes that I made are
attached to this file in the following pages. Happy Studies!

Advice from Shahla Syed

The hardest part of neuropsych is learning the drugs - if you can do that, you will be just fine, and I
would recommend going back to Katzung again for this. Of course you have to learn the
psychopathology as well, but I found that less difficult than learning drugs (I've always had trouble
with pharm).

NEUROPSYCHIATRY- EXAM 1 MATERIAL

Marijuana increases weight (associated munchies).

Leptin signaling blocked by suppressors of cytokines. Leptin signaling stops in severely obese pts.
Signaling center is located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. leptin = ↓ weight by
↓stimulation of appetite. Leptin is produced by the ob gene.
Orixegenic - appetite. Anorixegenic - ↓ appetite.

Anorexia xtreme weight loss, refusal to eat despite normal appetite. Bulimia however involves binge
eating, tooth enamel erosion.
Trx anorexia: TCA’s (imipramine), 5HT – fluoxetine, phenfluoramine, heterocyclics: isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, and trazodone.
Long term Trx for obesity: ObeSity – Orlistet and Sibutramine
Short term Trx for obesity: a short obese girl named Zoe Torp.
Zonisimine and Torpiramate
SSRI - ↓ weight for 6 mos. Antidepressants - ↓ glucose levels
Phase 3 of clinical trial antidepressant. Endocannibinoid receptor block (Radafaxine is Rad b/c it stops
ur high.)
Selective 5-HT Agonist – Rimonabant and phenfluoramine
2c
CeFiLIstat blocks absorption of Fat by inh. LIpase.

Mutation in mahogany mg gene is what ↓es weight. Having a fxning mg gene doesn’t work well at
weight control. Mg gene related to agouti pigment gene, and nearly identical to attractin produced by
activated T cells that stimulates attraction between cells.

ADHD – Impulsivity, fidgeting, distracted ez, difficulty following directions. at least 6 mos. Occurs b4
age 7. impaired behavior in at least 2 settings. 3 types: combined, inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive.
All more common in boys. Girls get inattentive type. Pts r at risk for drug abuse, accident, and
dropout. Caused by possible reticular activating system (frontal lobe) or ↓ in NE. Strong genetic
component; multigene disorder (D receptor, DA transporter, synaptosomal-associated protein 25).
4

Stimulants calm children with ADHD. There are different affects between children and adults with
ADHD b/c there is more DA released in adults for their lack of autoreceptor activity. Trx
Dextroamphetamine and Methylphenidate (both indirect acting sympathomimetics), Pemoline (liver
fxn tests shud be done b/c jaundice) and Modafinil (α agonist). [Dexter Must Make Peace.] Drugs
1B

can also trx narcolepsy, weight loss, and rarely supplement PD. Side effects include GI symptoms,
headache, muscle twitch, and hallucinations.
Cocaine affects DA release and reuptake.

Conduct Disorder – Aggressive behavior and infringement upon the rights of others > 12 mos. Usually
comorbid with ADHD, ODD, learning disability. More common in boys. Same risks as ADHD.
Multifactorial etiology. Trx multimodality, psychotherapy, and drugs: antipsychotics, SSRIs, and
ithium

Affects on DA release: amphetamine > Ritalin > caffeine

ODD – Disobedient, hostile, defiant behavior to authority > 6 mos. More common boys, may lead to
development conduct disorder. Multifactorial or unknown etiology. Trx no drugs, just psychotherapy
and behavioral management skills.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Supportive Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Depression: Monoamine depletion by unknown disease process, stress, drugs. MAO inh.
(isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypramine) Relieve depression by monoamine. TCA’s inh
monoamine transport. Same affects as MaoI. 3 main neurotransmitters are DA, 5-HT, NE. Prozac 5-
HT. MAO destroys NE, NE reuptake pump terminates axn of NE, NE receptors react 2 NE release.
4 groups of treatment: 1) TCA’s 2) Heterocyclics 3) SSRI (prozac)
4) MAO: side effects tyramine (cheese, wine, pickled pigs feet, aged meats, beer) and hypertensive
crisis, serotonin syndrome (muscle rigidity, CV collapse, hyperthermia)

Biological basis of Schizophrenia is unknown.

Mesolimbic DA pathway: ventral tegmentum→nucleus accumbens. Associated with this pathway
pleasure, reward, reinforcing behavior, drugs of abuse, and chocolates. Hyperactivity ( DA) here gives
+ve psychotic symptoms (emotional behaviors, auditory hallucinations, delusion, thought disorder) and
plays a role in aggressive/hostile behavior in schizo.
*all known antipsychotic drugs are capable of treating +ve psychotic symptoms are blockers of DA
receptors (D2).*
Mesocortical DA pathway: ventral tegmentum→ limbic cortex . –ve schizo symptoms (5 A’s:
attention deficit hyperactivity, affective flattening, alogia, avolition, anhedonia) could be localized to
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. –ve symptoms due to burnout of neuronal symptoms excitotoxic
overactivity of glutamate systems. DA deficit (-ve symptoms schizo) can be 1° or 2° (inh by excess 5-
HT OR antipsychotic blockage of D2 receptors).
Nigrostriatal DA pathway: sub nigra → basal ganglia (striatum). EPS and motor control.
Deficiencies Parkinson’s (Rigidity, Akinesia/bradykinesia, Tremor) and Akathisia (restlessness),
dystonia (twisting movements). Blocking D receptors mock deficiencies. Chronic blockade causes
2

Neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. Hyperactivity of DA – chorea, dyskinesias, and tics.

Tuberinfundibular DA pathway: Hypoth → Ant Pit. Active inh prolactin release. Postpartum, activity
is ↓ed. ed prolactin causes galactorrhea, amenorrhea, sexual dysfxn. ed prolactin occurs after chronic
blockage of D .
2

Schizo onset late teens/early 20s. Symptoms; odd behavior, ∆es facial expression, moderate
depression, elevated HVA in body fluids. Incidence s in pts w/ fetal obstetrical complications.
Anatomic features include wide sulci, ventricle size, frontal and medial temporal lobes (gliosis) and
hippocampus (disordered orientation of pyramids). Causes:
1) toxic or genetic result 2) poor neuronal migration (occurs in epilepsy as well)
3) inadequate synaptic selection (mutations in synapsin 1:2, possibly D )
2

4) poorly innervated
*synapsin sux in schizo. D antagonists worsen symptoms
2

(Give GABA to epileptics, but NOT glutamate. GlutamateàGABA (Glut. Decarboxylase) GABA à
Glutamate (GABA Transaminase) Glutamate is excitotoxic by inducing apoptosis/cell death.
HaloPEridol – Has Potency and EPS.
SDA (serotonin DA antagonist) – block both 5-HT and D .
2A 2

Clozapine blocks histamine and cholinergic as well. Less EPS than typical used as Trx for Tardive
Dyskinesia and has agranulocytosis as a side effect.

Anxious pts trx w/ antidepressant. Venlafaxine drug of choice. Mood in depression and anxiety of
GAD. Venturous for trxing 2 disoders.
Clomipramine (TCA) and Fluvoxamine (SSRI)– trx OCD
High comorbidity of depression and anxiety.
SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine) are used for pts with depression, anxiety
disorder subtypes, panic disorders and social phobia.
Buspirone – 5-HT partial agonist is a generalized anxiolytic. Other 5-HT agonists are flesinoxan,
1A 1A

sunepitron, adatanserin, ipspapirone. Advantages vs BZDs include no interaction with EtOH, BZDs,
sedative hypnotic agents, absence of drug dependance with long term use, ease of use in therapeutic
onset for antidepressants. Used preferentially in chronic/persistant anxiety comorbid with substance
abuse, and elderly pts.
-Buspirone best for 4A’s: Anxiety (chronic/persistent), Abuse (comorbid substance), Aged (elderly),
and Autoreceptor Agonist.
Mechanisms of action of drugs Mechanisms of action of drugs Mechanisms of action of
drugs
5-HT agonist
1A Antidepressants BZD anxiolytics
Adaptive neuronal andAdaptations inOccupy BZD receptors
receptor events neurotransmitter receptors
ALL 5-HT agonists have presynaptic axns for anxiety and postsynaptic axns for nausea/dizziness.
1A

GAD + MDD = MAD. Subsyndromal anxiety + subsyndromal depression = subsyndromal mixed

anxiety depression (anxious dysthymia). MDD + subsyndromal anxious depression. GAD +
dysthymia = GAD w/ depressive symptoms

Enkephalins – are mood altering

Orthoquinone (free radical) produced from DA. Neurodegenerative from L-Dopa.
Brain derived neurotrophic factor:
- sensory neurons: nodose, dorsal root ganglion
- spinal motor neurons, basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, substantia nigra DA
neurons, facial motor neurons, retinal ganglion cells
Nomifensine and Bupropion help depressed by blocking reuptake pump.
Pargyline is a Mao inh.
Pramipexole is a D agonist.
2

Idocoxane, Clonidine, Reserpine, Yohimbine ALL have α autoreceptor axn.

2A

ICaRYs is an automatic flight machine.

Serotonin can be found in intestine and pineal gland. Gastric carcinoid syndrome contains excess 5-
HT, and the test for this checks levels of 5-HIAA.
Fenfluramine enhances 5-HT release.
CisApride s Appetite in Children.

Drugs involved in cholinergic transmission:

γ-hydroxybutyrate – Gaba B receptor inh NE release
Vesamichol – inh Ach storage
Physostigmine, donepezil, galantamine → AchE inh
Troxypyrrolium/hemicholinium → inh uptake of choline by presynaptic membrane
Bungarotoxins + botulinum → inh Ach release at presynaptic terminal
Curare/Rabies → nAChR

Vigabatrin inhibits GABA Transaminase and is used to treat childhood epilepsy.

Spastic paralysis is a GABA B disease, and Baclofen trxs.
*Flumazonil is the only antagonist for BZD. *Flumazonil says F#ck BZD!

Lennox Gestaut Syndrome – mixed seizure and MR. Tonic seizure activity in sleep. Trx Toperamide,
Filbarmate, Lamotipine.

West syndrome  muscle contraction and MR. 1-2 sec duration, peaks faster. Trx Topiramide,
vigabactrin, corticosteroids.

Diazepam (Valium). Good Anxiolytic. IV for Status Epilepticus. Tetanus.

- makes you take A STEp.
Chlorazepate and Oxazepam are BZDs that live forever in your body and produce metabolites that live
forever.
Alprazolam (xanax)– anxiety and depression. Like venlafaxine
Triazolam – pts will experience “rebound” insomnia after discontinued use after long trx.
Zolpidem/Zolepion – work on BZ receptor. Trx sleepwalk
1

- sedatives (anxiolytics) ↓ anxiety and exert a calming effect while hypnotics produce drowsiness and
encourage “natural sleep”. Sedatives at high doses can have hypnotic effects.
BZDs are MOST imp sedative hypnotics. Barbiturates are sedative hypnotics that cause undesirable
psychologic and physiologic dependance. Other sedative hypnotics include: piperidinediones,
propanediol carbamates, alcohols (EtOH, chloral hydrate, paraldehyde), buspirone, zolpidem. Sedative
effects can be obtained w/ β blockers, clonidine, antipsychotic tranquilizers, TCAs, and anti-
histamines.
*Redistribution of drug from CNS 2 other tissues is an imp feature of the biodisposition of sedative-
hypnotics. Thiobarbiturates are RAPID. Sedative hypnotics are detectable in breast milk. (can depress
CNS in nursing infants)
Anxiety is an expected, normal, and transient response to stress. Pathological anxiety requires 4
criteria: 1) autonomy (no recognizable triggers) 2) intensity (> pts capacity to bear discomfort) 3)
duration (persistent symptoms) 4) behavior (impairs coping)
Anxiety differs from fear which is a sense of dread and foreboding that occurs in response to an
external threatening event. Symptoms include autonomic arousal, “going to die” or “lose control”,
avoidance or compulsions, and worry/apprehension/obsessions.
Etiology is central NE systems (locus coerulus) and GABA (limbic), modulated by serotonergic and
neuropeptides. Is most prevalent psychiatric disorder. risk among pts with 1 degree relatives w/
st

anxiety. Physical, psychosocial, and quality of life affected.

Organic causes of anxiety: thyroid, NE, drugs (cocaine, caffeine, EtOH, narcs, sed-hypnotics).

Panic disorder – recurrent unexpected panic attacks (episodes of intense anxiety peak w/in 10 mins)
More common in women. Late teens – 30 y/o. Runs in family. Hard to diagnose b/c symptoms include
cardiac, pulmonary, GI, neurological, autonomic arousal, psychological. Trx antidepressants
(paroxetine, sertraline) and high potency BZDs (alprazolam/clonazepam). Agorophobia seen in some
pts w/ panic disorders. Anxiety abt or avoidance of places or situations from which escape might be
embarrassing.

GAD – excessive anxiety/worry. Occurs more days than not > 6mos. More common in women. Child
or adolescent. 3/6 (restlessness, ez fatigability, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension,
insomnia). Trx cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants, BZDs, buspirone.

Phobia – persistent, excessive unreasonable fear of situations or objects. 10% gen pop. Exposure to
stimulus provokes anxiety. Trx BZDs to ↓ anxiety and cognitive behavior therapy.
- social phobia (fear of public scrutiny). Trx SSRI, BZDs, β blockers.

OCD – recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors/rituals. Four criteria: 1)

intrusive/inappropriate 2) not simple worries 3) attempts made to ignore/neutralize 4)
obsession recognized as a product of his/her mind

OCD is Trx w/ ClOmipramine b/c it has an O and C. Cognitive Therapy is good as well.

PTSD ntense fear, helplessness, or horror b/c of an experience that was a threat of death, injury or
severe harm. 1% prevalent in gen pop , and higher among those who experience trauma. Symptoms >
1 mon. subtypes include acute (<3mos), chronic (>3mos), delayed onset (onset >6 mos). Trx only
sertraline, paroxetine and Exposure based log therapy.
Antipsychotic drugs
Parkinson’s patients need L-Dopa + a cholinergic antagonist. Typicals are all D antagonists.
2

Phenothiazine derivatives: suppress hiccups

1) aliphatic – chlorpromazine [sleepy, less EPS than haloperidol b/c has antichol activity]
2) piperadine – thioridazine
3) piperazine – trifluoperazine and thiethylpiperazine (motion sickness)
Haloperidol is a butyrophenone and causes MOST EPS b/c it lacks antichol activity.
Thiothixene is a thixanthene.
Neuroleptics cause psychomotor and affective indifference. Sedation caused by phenothiazines.
Sedation caused by phenothiazine derivatives involves minimal motor coordinations. Known as
“tranquilizers” b/c calm, ↓ agitation/hyperactivity w/o ↓ wakefulness. Chemoreceptor trigger zone of
reticular formation has D receptors blocked by neuroleptics. Neuroleptics ↓ nausea from other drugs,
2

pregnancy, radiation, cancers but NOT nausea 2° to bowel obstruction or motion sickness. **Side
effects occur in ALL neuroleptic pts

Apomorphine and bromocriptine (AntiPD) have structure similar to DA.

Chlorpromazine and Haloperidol (neuroleptics) have structural overlap.

Chlorpromazine, thioridazine, Molindazine, Loxapine, Trifluoperazine, Thiothixene, Haloperidol,

Fluspirilene. Of the previous drugs listed: From left to right, ↑ risk of orthostatic hypotension, and at
the top have high dose/low potency. From right to left, you have ↑ risk of developing PD symptoms
and low dose/high potency.

Neuroleptic induced Parkinsonism (EPS): Rigidity, Akinesia, Tremor.

Neuroleptic Dyskinesias and Dystonias (involuntary motions of hip, jaw, tongue). Acute dystonia
needs diphenhydramine for trx. Neuroleptic induced Akathisia (tremendous restlessness despite rigid
stiffness).
Mechanism of above symptoms: Neuroleptic drug offsets the normal balance b/w cholinergic and DA
inputs into the neurons of the striatum. Anticholinergic such as Procyclidine, Trihexylphenidyl, and
Benztropine restore lost balance. Balance could also be restored with L-Dopa, but this would
antagonize the neuroleptic and induce psychosis.
*when the Rat Does Act, Pet The Belly.*
After 1 to 2 mos of neuroleptic therapy, most pts will develop tolerance to side effects and won’t need
the anticholinergic but 25% of pts will.
Tardive Dyskinesia (“chewing gum motion”). Long term DA receptor blockade. Striatal nerve cells
synthesize more DA receptors, thus making the cells supersensitive to small amts of DA. Trx w/
clozapine (D /5-HT receptor agonist)
2 2A

Phenothiazine induced obstructive jaundice is due to a hypersensitivity. Dermatitis/Photosensitivity:

pts sensitive to sunlight, exaggerated sunburn. UV light readily oxidizes chlorpromazine. Drug
accumulates in melanin containing tissues (eye, skin, sub nig). Prolactinemia (breast swelling,
galactorrhea)

All atypical antipsychotics act on and cause weight gain and diabetes xcept Ziprasidone.
Clozapine: Atypical antipsychotic. “closes” many receptors (antihist, antichol, antiα adren).
Agranulocytosis seizures (high dose) side effect. SDA: low EPS, tardive dyskinesia, and –ve
symptoms of schizo. D receptor axn!
4
riSPeridOne: Schizo, Psychotic Old people. (age associated psychosis and dementia) SDA that
elevates prolactin. Low doses atypical, high doses typical

OLAnzapine: GranOLA makes you fat and sleepy. Improves mood in phases of bipolar and schizo.
Quetiapine: Crazy ass PD pts w/ schizo. Queso w/ cholesterol biosynthesis inhibited (animals not
humans)

Ziprasidone: Zerotonin 1D antagonist, 1A agonist. Inh reuptake of both 5-HT and NE. No significant
weight gain.

Aripiprazole: DA2 antagonist and partial agonist

Mood disorder – disturbance in emotional state. Pt can feel dysthymia, depression, hypomania, mania.
*no differences in ethnicity, education, marital status, income.

I. Primarily Depressive
Major depressive – 2 wks depressed mood or loss of interest
Dystymic –
Depression NOS – depressed mood, anhedonic, appetite, sleep
*In major depression w/ psychotic features, the delusions and hallucinations R congruent.
-5-10% MDD pts develop mania
-up to 15% of MDD will die by suicide during the recovery phase, mood↓ while energy↑.
Double depression is dysthymic disorder and precedes MDD.

Dysthymic disorders depressed mood for at least 2 yrs.

II Depressive disorders w/ mania Bipolar I. Dx simple are manic or hypomanic episode. Elevated,
expansive, irratible. ↓ sleep, talkative, distractibility, rambling thrush, and period of 7 days.

Mania. Hypomanic →manic → psychotic

Mixed presentations- suicidal. 1° manic then followed by depression. Mean age of onset early 20s.
90% individuals w/ manic episode will have successive reps. Early onset – worse progrnosis
*Bipolar is the MOST inheritable psychotic disorder.
Bipolar II and hypomanic – unlike mania – delusions/hallucinations cannot be present. Inflated self
esteem does not reach a delusional grandiose level. 4 days of symptoms
Depression common psychiatric disorder. Pure depressive yndromes are the 2D’s: Depression
(recurrent symptoms >2 wks). Dysthymia (>2 yrs). Depression associated w/ mania includes Bpolar
disorder and cyclothymic disorder (cycle b/w depression and mania). Depression can be
1) reactive or 2° (most common; response to real stimuli of grief, illness…)
2) endogenous (genetic; can’t experience ordinary pleasure)
3) manic depressive disorder (bipolar)
Best trx is psychological trx and meds. ECT is used for MDD pts that don’t resond to antidepressants.
Symptoms of depression SIG Energy Capsules**
TCA’s: mixed inh NE and 5-HT reuptake pumps. “off switches” of amine transmission.
-“I’m Am 3 circles” Imipramine (enuresis/anorexia) and Amitryptyline. Axns of antimusc, antihist,
anti adreno only contribute to toxicity. Nortryptiline used for Nordic migraines. Migraines result as a
deficiency of 5HT in blood vessels in brain (vasodilation).
Heterocyclics: 2 gen – insomnia side effect. “MTA in Boston” Maprotiline, Trazodone (5 HT
nd

autoreceptor block; ↑ 5HT release; priapism) Amoxapine (severe neurotroxicity w/ seizure) and
Bupropion.
3 gen – “Vanessa Nancy Mirtaz” Venlafaxine, Nefazodone, Mirtazapine.
rd

*azodone cousins 2 letter/term of both mnemonics

nd

Short ½ life Trazodone/Venlafaxine b/c Travis and Vern are short.

SSRI can’t be used to OD. Fluoxetine – anorexia. Minimal autonomic toxicity, demethylated active
metabolite Norfluoxetine.

MaoI – axn allows more amines to accumulate presynaptically and more to be released.
Hydrazide “make you a Phene (fiend) for Is (ice)”. Phenelzine and Isocarboxazid.
Nonhydrazide “make you a transsexual”. Tranylcypramine
Inhibition persists after drugs are no longer detectable in plasma.
Great for atypical depression. Consider tyramine side effects and mixture with SSRI can cause
5HT syndrome.

Clinical indications of Antidepressants. “Are DOPE Stuff Baby Girl” ADHD, Depression, OCD,
Pain/Panic disorder, Enuresis, Social phobia, Bulimia, GAD.
Antidepressants are most successful in trx pts that r:
1) slow (psychomotor retardation) 2) sleepless (sleep disturbances)
3) sexless (↓ libido) 4) satiety less (weight loss/poor appetite)

TCA’s and 2 /3 gen agents differ in degree of sedation and antimusc effects.
nd rd

Li and antidepressant can trx depression, Li by itself prevents relapses.

Blood plasma drug level determination should be obtained in postabsorptive state. When evaluating
the state of pts (abt 1/3) that don’t respond to antidepressants, consider the 5 D’s: Dx, drug, dose,
duration of trx, different trx.

Inhibition of P450 3A4 can occur at high [] of Nefazoodone and Fluvoxamine. Can lead to fatal
arrhythmias.

TCA OD can include; coma, resp depression, agitation, neuromuscular irritability, hyperpyrexia,
bowel/bladder paralysis.

MaoI OD can include agitation, delirium, neuromuscular excitability, obtunded consciousness,

seizures, shock, hyperthermia.
Li prevents mood swings in pts with bipolar affective disorder.

Pts w/ cyclic attacks of mania have many symptoms of paranoid schizo. Gradiocity, Bellicosity,
Paranoid thoughts, overactivity. “manics @ G.O.P.B.”
Li affects electrolytes and their transport (inh Na+/H+ exchange), same for neurotransmitters (inh
NE/DA release), and 2 messengers (PLC, IP3 pathway inh)
nd

Li carbonate preferred Trx for bipolar affective disorder and can also trx EtOHism, aggression, some
childhood episodic changes of mood aggression, and also can produce nausea/tremor. It is easily
measured in body fluids, NOT metabolized, and interacts with diuretics, new NSAIDs, all neuroleptics
xcept clozapine. Side effects are on ion dep. Systems like kidney, heart, thyroid. Can lead to diabetes
insipidus (polydisia, polyuria) Therapeutic OD common. Li toxicity in newborns is manifested by
lethargy, cyanosis, poor suck and moro reflexes, and hepatomegaly.
-can be substituted by carbamazipine or valproic acid (used 4 epileptics).

Amoxapine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine can all act on DA, NE, and 5HT reuptake pumps.
Uric acid is found in brain tumors. Ascorbic acid found in human uterine cervical cancers.

Carbamezipine block Na /K channels used 4 trigeminal neuralgia.

+ +

Thinking (have ideas n make new ones) vs language (encode ideas into symbols)

Disorders of Thought process or form: loose associations, word salad, racing thoughts, flight of ideas,
circumstantiality, tangentiality, neologisms, clang associations, thought blocking.
Disorders of thought content: delusions, ideas of reference, poverty of content, overvalued ideas,
obsessions, phobias, suicidal ideas, homicidal ideas.

Psychosis – break w/ reality

Table 11-4 from BRS

Schizo subtypes: disorganized (disheveled appearance, inappropriate emotions), catatonic (bizarre

posture, lack of coherent speech), paranoid (delusion of persecution), undifferentiated (symptoms of
more than 1 type), residual (1 previous schizo episode)
***** make sure that you know your axes as there were questions on both exams about them!!!!!
Axis 1
Axis 2
Axis 3
Axis 4
Axis 5

NEUROPSYCHIATRY - EXAM 2 MATERIAL

Trx of Dementia
Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Improvement of cognitive function, global clinical state, ADL and behavior.
Mechanism: ACh concentration, Dual action meds (tacrine and rivastigmine) may contribute to rapid
rise of ACh (more side effects & greater effectiveness)
Side effects: gastric acid secretion (dose dependent
), Heart Block. Central activity (nausea, vomiting, weight loss and sleep disturbance). May exacerbate
asthma/pulmonary conditions. OD mimics organophosphate poisoning.

Donepezil - Reversible AchE, nicotinic receptor density–associated with enhanced synaptic

strengthening through long term potentiation

Galantamine - Reversibly and competitively inhibits AchE, Nicotinic cholinergic modulator–

affecting NE, 5HT, GABA and Glutamate. Neuroprotective by inducing antiapoptotic proteins and
calcium signals. Nicotinic receptor density–long-term potentiation. Found naturally in daffodil bulbs
.
Rivastigmine - AChE and Butyrlycholinesterase(BuChE) Inhibitor (equal affinity)
Psuedoirriversibly inhibits AchE Possibly more effective in late stage AZ– more potent with GI AchE.
More region specific (greater GI) than other AchEs. Severe vomiting/esophageal tear if not titrated
slowly. Only AChEI to demonstrate efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Tacrine: AChE and BuChE inhibitor– reversible.
Also myalgia, rash, and liver toxicity

-clinically indicated for Alzheimer’s Disease– mild to severe (as per cognition and behavioral
impairment), Vascular Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, DLB, Down’s
Syndrome, ADD, etc.
Memantine: NMDA receptor antagonist (noncompetitive) 5HT3 receptor antagonism (hence absence
of GI complaints) For Moderate to Severe Dementia (AZ)
Also for MCI, vascular dementia, HIV/AIDS, etc May be used with AChE
Interferes w/ glut activity in AZ. Dizziness, headache, constipation, seizure, and thought
disorganization/psychosis.

Unproven therapies: NSAIDs, estrogen replacement, vitamin E, b-amyloid vaccinations

Delirium (Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy)

: Disturbance in consciousness. Reduced ability to focus, sustain, shift attention, impaired cognition
and memory impairment. Hallucinations and absence of insight and judgment. Affects terminally ill
pts > post surgical pts > hospitalized pts. Risk factors: age, hx of cns/AIDS/drugs, dementia
Most patients recover and delirium lengthens hospital stay, increases risk for complication. Caused by
generalized dysregulation of neurotransmission; GABA-Glutamate dynamic. NMDA receptor up
regulation seen in Alcohol Dependence associated with withdrawal syndrome. elevated levels of
Acetylcholine
Trx: Address the underlying medical condition à atypical antipsychotics at low dose. Avoidance of
both Benzodiazepines and Anticholinergics recommended

Cognitive Disorders:
Dementia – disorder of thought; slow insidious onset w/o attributable cause. irreversible
- memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance of executive fxn
Delirium – disorder of sensorium; sudden onset w/ attributable cause. Transient

Diagnosis of Cognitive disorder involves clinical features, history, and MMSE.

Normal aging: memory impairment, decreased attention span, slowed learning, Retained: vocabulary,
language ability, and general information. EEG changes: slowing of background alpha rhythm (<8 Hz)

Minimal Cognitive Impairment: memory impaired but social/occupation normal. Can progress to
dementia, and progress can be delayed by cholinesterase inh. Esp w/ APO-E4
Dementia is associated with: Alzheimer’s (most common), Diffuse Lewy Body, Vascular, Wernicke-
Korsakoff, Neurosyphilis, Lyme Disease, AIDS, Frontotemporal, CJD, nvCJD

Alzheimer’s Disease: Insidious onset, 1 - short term memory, ↓ capacity to adapt. 2 – dramatic
st nd

memory deficit, delusions, depression, hallucinations… Avg clinical course 8 to 10 yrs.

Neurofibrillary tangles (TAU- binds microtubular protein), neuritic senile plaques (accumulation of
amyloid b-peptide plaques), loss of Ach neurons at basalis of Meynert/frontal/temporal lobes
MRI: hippocampal & temporal/parietal atrophy.
Risk factors: age, down syndrome, 1 ° relative w/ AZ, Apo-E (APO-E binds to B-amyloid and
st

becomes incorporated into the neuritic plaque

; also risk 4 dementia in PD & TBI traumatic brain injury)
Enhanced neuronal injury: free radical, ↓vascular, head trauma
Diminished neuronal repair: ApoE4 loading, defect in processing of APP amyloid precursor protein,
hypothyroidism
Chromosomes involved: 1 (presenilin 2), 14 (presenilin 1), 19 (APO-E), 21 (APP)

Dementia w/ Lewy bodies: (2 to AZ as cause 4 Dementia) Lewy bodies are intracytoplasmic

nd

inclusions and concentrations correspond to degree of dementia. Characterized by cognitive

impairment, visual hallucinations, depression, EPS, & delirium like episodes. Unresponsive to L-dopa
& worsened by typical neuroleptics.

Frontal Lobe disorders: personality change, absence of spontaneity, disinhibition.

Frontotemporal dementia (Pick’s disease): language disturbance, change in personality, loss of

executive function, Kluver-Bucy, no apraxia/visual-spacial deficits. Frontal/Ant Temp Lobe atrophy,
sometimes Pick bodies found. Risk factors include: family history, EtOH, ECT.

Cortical dementia - loss of cognition w/o significant movement disorder

Subcortical dementia – comorbid w/ loss of motor fxn. PD and Huntington’s

Vascular Dementia – associated with focal CNS lesions and focal neurologic signs (visual field cuts,
hemiparesis). Risk factors: HTN, Diabetes, age, male sex, smoking, cardiac disease. Small vessel
disease, Multi-infarct, cerebral hypoperfusion, stroke, vasculitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Normal pressure Hydrocephalus – gait ataxia (magnetic), urinary incontinence, dementia. Can be
Idiopathic, or follow meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ventricle enlargement.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome – WE (confusion, ataxia, nystagmus) KS (severe anterograde &

retrograde memory deficits). Associated with EtOHism, Vit B1 deficiency, grossly affected are
mamillary bodies, 3 ventricle and aqueduct of Sylvius.
rd

Onset marked by global confusion and associated w/ confabulation.

Neurosyphilis – cause is spirochete Treponema Pallidum. AIDS has impacted the course of this
illness. Insidious onset. Symptoms include depression, mania, moderate dementia, & personality
change. Sometimes Argyll-Robertson pupils and tabes dorsalis.
Lyme Disease – cause is spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi/deer tick bite. Dementia, depression,
psychosis.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease CJD – triad of dementia/myoclonus/”burst suppression” on EEG.

Progressively severe dementia, rapidly fatal course (6 mos). CSF neuronal protein found in almost
every case. Prion infection causing “transmissible spongiform encephalopathy”. Transmitted
iatrogenically by growth hormone, EEG electrodes, cornea transplant.

Fatal familial insomnia is a genetic disease, due to a specific mutation in the PrP gene. Affects the
c

thalamus, interferes with sleep and leads to mental deterioration.

NvCJD – “human mad cow disease”. Young adults. One-year course. Behavioral disturbances,
thought disorder, anxiety, painful peripheral disturbance, ataxia. No “burst suppression”

AIDS Dementia – triad is Progressive cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and behavioral
abnormality. Anemia, weight loss, low CD4 count, opportunistic infxns. Rapid course. Loss of
concentration, memory, social interaction. May mimick depression.

Pseudodementia – depression mimicking dementia. Prior episodes of depression. Cognitive

impairment w/ affective/vegative disturbance and w/o disorientation

Sleep – a regular, recurrent, reversible state characterized by quiescence and an increase in the
threshold of response to external stimuli relative to the waking state. 2 types: non-REM and REM

Non-REM – peaceful state relative to waking. Slow pulse, reduced blood flow. Episodic, involuntary
movements.
REM – highly active brain, originating in pontine reticular formation. Inhibited sensory and motor
input. Vivid dreaming.

Sleep serves a restoration, homeostatic fxn, and is required for normal thermoregulation and energy
conservation.

Circadian rhythm is the fluctuation of certain physiological fxns, such as core body temp, serum
cortisol levels over 24 hr cycle. Suprachiasmatic nucleus of hypothalamus (melatonin when light low
and ↓ when light high).
Entrainment is the process of adjusting circadian rhythms to environmental rhythms.

Dyssomnias – problems in timing, quality, and amt of sleep. (sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnica, etc)
Parasomnias – abnormalities in physiology or in behavior associated w/ sleep (bruxism, sleepwalking,
sleep terror etc) common in children
Narcolepsy – Excessive daytime sleepiness and intrustion of REM sleep during wakefulness, occurring
daily for at least 3 mos. Cataplexy, sleep paralysis. Hypnagogic (at sleep onset) or hypnopompic
(when awaking) hallucinations. HLA-DR2 as well as deficiency in hypocretin (appetite/alertness
stimulant)
Trx: naps, amphetamine/methylphenidate, clomipramine/imipramine

1° insomnia - sleeplessness that is not attributable to a medical/environmental cause

2° insomnia - sleeplessness that is attributable to a medical/environmental cause
Psychophysiological insomnia – pt develops conditioned arousal associated w/ attempts to sleep

Insomniacs at risk of accident, depression/anxiety, higher arousal, longer sleep latency, metabolic
rate, more beta EEG activity at sleep onset. Etiology is stress, aging, medical disorders, anxiety,
caffeine, withdrawal, schizo. Trx is BZDs, melatonin, and L-tryptophan. Discontinue stimulants

Breathing-related sleep disorders is characterized by sleep disruption leading to excessive sleepiness

(hypersomnia) or insomnia that is due to a sleep-related breathing disturbance. Sleep Apnea and
Central Alveolar Hypoventilation.

Sleep Apnea pts stop breathing for 10 to 30 secs at a time while sleeping. Obstructive is most common
type. Blockage of the trachea. Central apnea is related to CNS fxn. Obstructive is associated w/
middle age, male, obese, snoring. Central is associated w/ elderly. Trx is CPAP (continuous positive
airway pressure), weight loss, avoid supine, surgery, tracheostomy.

Pickwickian Syndrome is a related condition in which airway obstruction results in daytime sleepiness.
Treatment is focused on weight loss and increased physical activity. Medroxyprogesterone may help
improve the condition.

Disturbances of Sleep wake schedule:

Jet Lag
Shift work
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome

Night terrors

Nightmares

Sexomnia

Basal ganglia (nuclei) deep in the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes that organize motor
behavior. Basal ganglia provide communication b/w the cortex and thalamus via a feedback loop.
Sensorimotor information from the cortex is processed by the basal ganglia, which consists of the
striatum, the internal globus pallidus (GPi), the external globus pallidus (GPe), the subthalamic nucleus
(STN) and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Cortical information is relayed to the striatum
(the “input” nuclei) via glutamatergic neurons. This cortical information is regulated within tight
controls by a constant dopaminergic input from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc).
Therefore, adequate amounts of dopamine are key for the proper functioning of this complex neuronal
network.
Direct pathway D1 receptor (facilitatory) / Indirect Pathway D2 receptor (inhibitory)
DLPC: executive fxns, attention, - head of caudate
Anterior Cingulate: “limbic” motivation, action-related symptoms (OCD, apathy, mania, depression) –
ventral striatum/olfactory tubercle
Lateral OrbitoFrontal: empathy, socially-adequate behavior, akinesia – Ventro-medial/caudate
Oculomotor: eye movements – central and caudal putamen
Sensorimotor: reaching movements, posture
Loops may mix together in danger situations 4 chemical reasons to help PD pts escape!

Parkinson’s Disease: Incidence/Prev ↑ w/ age, more common male. Has genetic component: defective
genes Park 1 – 10. α-synuclein/Park 1 chrom 4 (chrom also imp. 4 HD). Parkin/Park2. Familial PD
has earlier onset than sporadic.
Environmental toxins: MPTP, generic pesticides, rural living, well-water drinking, farming, head
injury, occupation (physicians, teachers, miners, loggers b/c of infectious agents/environment toxins.
Post encephalitis
Caffeine inverse relationship associated w/ risk of developing PD. Thru adenosine receptor antagonism
↑ central DA tone.
Protective effects of estrogen on DA system and paraxanthine (caffeine metabolite)
PD loss of pigmented SNc neurons. Accumulation of Lewy bodies. Pet scan for non-clinical Dx.
Results from deficits in the direct pathway. Greater input to inh pathway, thalamus works more,
enhanced cerebral cortex loss of movement & other fxns
Dx Motor signs (Pure EPS; tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity). Nonmotor (PD personality-Depression,
cognitive impairment, sensorimotor integration, sleep, memory impairment, 1° visual, olfactory
systems)
-vision – dark light adaptation, perceptual probs, can’t percept middle to high frequency perception.
Deficient in DA amacrine cell. Dopa can correct these probs. Posterior parietal cortex visual
integration.
-Sleep – can be worsened by DA therapy. Insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, frequent arousals, sleep
breathing probs, daytime sleepiness, REM sleep behavior, panic/sleep attacks. sleep latency EEG.
Cell loss in locus coerulus, raphe nuclei, tegmentum area, parapontine nuclei. ↓ SWA (δ) (σ). Dopa
partial normalization for σ but NOT δ. Probs consolidating memory related to sleep probs.
-Depression. Atypical, apathetic nonsuicidal. Orbitofrontal cortex
-Cognition. Attention deficits (dorsolateral prefrontal)
DDx – progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) similar to PD but has oculomotor deficit AND does NOT
respond to L-Dopa
Physical exam: cogwheel rigidity, abnormal posture reflexes
Pharmacologic Trx: neuroprotective. Symptomatic bradykinesia.
Early PD: Amantadine, Selegiline, anticholinergic, L-Dopa, DA agonists
Selegiline: selective MaoB inh. Enhances L-dopa by slowing oxidation. May L dopa side effects of
dyskinesia & psychiatric.
Amantadine: antiviral w/ mild antiPD. DA release, inh DA reuptake, stimulate DA receptor, NMDA
antag. Best 4 short term & mild disease. Good w/ dopa.
DA agonists: directly stimulate DA receptors. Ergot agonists – bromocriptine & pergolide, non-ergot –
pramipexole & ropinirole. Require no conversion, no AA transport, No neuronal uptake/release,.
Longer axn compared to L-Dopa. Side effects: nausea, vomit, orth hypo, ∆ personality, may be
neuroprotective w/ antioxidant effects
L-Dopa not a cure. Symptomatic trx. Initiate when symptoms disabling. Combine with carbidopa –
peripheral decarbox inh. Thus combo prevents nausea, vomit, and orth hypo; ↓ amts of Dopa
required. Entacapone/tolcapone inh COMT peripherally to enhance L-Dopa ova BBB & have less L-
Dopa transformed peripherally. Side effects: dyskinesias, dystonias, fluctuations in motor fxn.

Antichol drugs: DA depletion produces chol sensitivity. Useful for pts <70yo w/ disturbing tremor.
Not 4 elderly. Blocks SLUD. Memory impairment, confusion, hallucinations
Progression of PD: [] of DA becomes more dependant on plasma L-dopa levels. Hallucinations can
occur n r trx w/ atypicals (quetiapine, clozapine)
Sustained release Sinemet in early stages of wearing off phenomenon

Deep Brain Stimulation: Pacemaker-like technology delivers electrical pulses to targeted structures in
the brain. STN DBS leads to long-lasting (5 years) improvement of parkinsonian motor signs
especially tremor and rigidity. STN DBS does not do better than the best that can be obtained with
levodopa, especially speech, postural stability and gait freezing, with the exception of tremor.
However, STN DBS reduces off-medication painful dystonia and on-medication dyskinesia

Drug Abuse: Non-medical or non-accepted recreational use of a drug. Tolerance and physical
dependence are biological phenomenon resulting from frequent drug use and can occur in an individual
who is not addicted to the drug.

Heroin is highly addictive.

Tolerance typically lost in 2 weeks, due to effects of drug. Types of tolerance include: microsomal
enzymes, cellular changes, behavioral (learned and conditioned), cross (occurs w/in drug class), inverse
(sensitization)
Physical dependence: inferred from occurrence of abstinence syndrome upon abrupt drug withdrawal.
Due to occurance of cellular tolerance (altered gene expression). Type of withdrawal depends on drug
category. Environmental stimuli elicit w/drawal symps.
-NOT a criterion for addiction. Craving is what separates an addict from a patient!
Drugs abused b/c of reward/euphoria produced in DA mesolimbic system. Biological event shared by
all animals.
High rapid rise of plasma drug [] and very high intoxication levels of a drug carry a higher risk of
addiction.
Alcohol and barbiturates: Depress excitatory (glutamate) actions at the NMDA
receptor and enhance inhibitory (GABA) actions at the GABA-A complex.

Benzodiazepines: Enhance inhibitory (GABA) actions at the benzodiazepine

modulatory site of the GABA-A complex.

Opioids: Act at the m-opioid receptor.

Cocaine: Blocks the DA transporter in CNS.

AMPHETAMINES: Presynaptic release of DA in CNS.

CAFFEINE: Antagonists at the adenosine receptor.

NICOTINE: Agonists at the nicotinic receptor in brain.

LSD and LSD-like hallucinogens (LSD, DMT, MDMA, ETC): Agonists at the
5-HT2A receptor.

Phencyclidine (PCP): Noncompetitive NMDA calcium channel blocker.

Marijuana: Agonist at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors.

Methadone can be used to trx heroin addicts b/c it is slow-acting, long half-life so it is asymptomatic
ova 24 hrs, no “high” nor w/drawal symptoms.

Stroke:
Frontal – behavioral planning, working memory, affective processing, attention.
Parietal – attention, special location, body image, xfer of sensory info to motor sys.
Temporal – declarative memory, emotional processing, receptive language

Lenticulostriate Arteries Supply the Basal Ganglia and Internal Capsule

Anterior circulation – internal carotid arteries. Posterior circulation – vertebral arteries

Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Treatment

Inadequate blood supply to a region of the brain for long enough

time to cause death of brain tissue
Refers to both hemorrhagic events and ischemic infarction
In an embolic infarct a piece of material, usually a blood clot, forms
in one place and then becomes lodged in a downstream vessel.
In a thrombotic infarct a clot forms locally on the vessel wall, usually
at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque, causing occlusion.

In addition to focal neurologic deficit, headache is common.

Seizures also occur fairly regularly in stroke.

Stroke Risk Factors

ØHypertension
ØDiabetes
ØHypercholesterolemia
ØCigarette smoking
ØFamily history
Imaging of brain should be done ASAP to rule out hemorrhage. Infarct will often not be visible on
early CT, but hemorrhage will. Once hemorrhage is ruled out then thrombolytic agents can be used
including tissue plasminogen activator. Heparin can also be used in those who cannot receive TPA.

Middle Cerebral Artery

ØAphasia (left)
ØHemineglect (right)
ØHemianopia
ØFace-arm or face-arm-leg sensorimotor deficits

Anterior Cerebral Artery

ØContralateral leg weakness/sensory loss
ØFrontal lobe dysfunction: behavior changes, incontinence,
semiautomatic movements of contralateral arm

Posterior Cerebral Artery

ØContralateral homonymous hemianopia
ØContralateral sensory loss/weakness (ICap infarct)

Watershed Infarcts:
When decreased blood flow in adjacent cerebral arteries occurs the regions at the borders of the two
vascular territories are affected most. These border zones in vascular territories are called watershed
zones.

MCA-ACA Watershed
Proximal arm and leg weakness
Aphasia syndromes if dominant hemisphere affected

MCA-PCA Watershed
Higher order visual deficits

Stroke: diminished/disrupted blood supply in the brain (ischemic & hemorrhagic)

People who have had one stroke are, in most cases, at an increased risk for recurrent strokes
Prevent Recurrent Strokes:
1.Work with the Physician (med management, proper trx of related conditions, endoarteriectomy
)
2.Use Medications as Prescribed (antiplatelets; aspirin/ticlid/plavix, anticoagulants; warfarin/heparin,
statins, insulin/hypoglycemic drugs/α-glucosidase inh/Thiazolidinediones, antihypertensives)

3.Follow a Healthy Diet (low fat, sodium, high fruits/vegs/fiber/omega-3)

4.Exercise Regularly (control Bp, relieve stress, “burn” fat, dec risk of CVD)
5.Quit Smoking
6.Manage Your Weight and Stress
7.Know the Warning Signs of Stroke (numbness, weakness, paralysis of one side of body)

Transient ischemic attack (TIA): acute loss of focal brain or monocular function symptoms lasting <24
hrs due to inadequate cerebral or ocular blood supply.
Stroke same as above but >24 hrs.
-mechanism of stroke: Infarction (cerebral atherothrombosis, cardiogenic embolism, penetrating artery
disease, other) > hemorrhage
Acute Intervention: IV tPA, Briding tPA, IA tPA, MERCI,

Kathy
Welcome to the the second installment of Dr. Nunes and co at Sophie-neuropsychiatry. Honestly, this
course is completely and totally doable, as was behavioral. You can always tell that Dr. Nunes is
passionate about what he teaches, and this goes a long way in Sophie. You'll be learning about the
clinical aspects of what you learned in behavioral, like schizophrenia, disorders of perception, thought,
stroke, and lots of DRUGS. Antipsychotics, antiepileptics, sedative-hypnotics, stimulants, depressants,
anything that really deals with CNS effects, you'll be covering it here. The key to learning pharm in
neuropsych (and probably in general) is to organize it and make charts for yourself. Pick out the most
important things, like what receptor it acts on, what it's effects are, what the side effects are, perhaps
how it is metabolized (kidney/liver) and anything else that makes that drug unique (ex: less prone to
causing weight gain (ziprasidone??), an antidepressant that has antipsychotic effects (amoxapine b/c it's
related to loxapine. check to see if that's correct). PAY ATTENTION IN LECTURE, as that's where
the bulk of the questions will be derived from, especially for Dr. Broderick's lectures, and especially
since she covers a good chunk of the pharm portion. BRS is a great resource for both the class and the
miniboard, though it was slightly less detailed than I would've liked for the class, and is missing a few
topics for the miniboard, like piaget's, erickson's developmental stages broken down in detail, etc. The
miniboard is totally manageable, especially if you've compiled studysheets/notes/used BRS throughout
the semester. Use pre-test psychiatry, it had some good questions and you should definitely do
questions before the miniboard.

Also, if you're weak with autonomics, in terms of alpha, beta, dopamine receptors, please do yourself a
favor and go over those in katzung or baby katzung because itll really come in handy with the drugs.
By the way, if you don't like reading big katzung, it's not a huge deal. I read little katzung and used it
to supplement my notes and would refer to big katzung if i need more information. Wikipedia also is
lovely, it's usually pretty solid, but beware sometimes. If Dr. Ghilardi can use wikipedia to present her
lectures, so can the rest of us. Stroke was covered in the class, but i dont remember seeing much of it
on the miniboard. Lots of ethics questions on the miniboard as well!

I've attached some of the studysheets i put together for some of the pharm topics in the class. I believe
they're mostly correct, but please check them to make sure. If you like Akeem's notes, use them as
well, since they're also quite good and detailed. BRS' substance abuse and antidepressants section is
much better than mine, but I included it anyways.
Pakeeza
Go to lecture and take good notes, especially when Dr. Nunez is talking. Read the assigned readings as
you go along, but only for background information. Don't focus on this too much. Do focus on the
notes and study the corresponding BRS chapters. As for the miniboard, read BRS and do the Psychiatry
Pretest (the Behavioral pretest is too simple). There is some pharm on this miniboard as well as in the
class, but the important info is covered in the BRS. Finally, I'm going to emphasize going to the class
again, because if you are a borderline A or B student, Dr. Nunez may take your attendance to class into
consideration and throw you a point or two. Good luck!

Vivek
The best resources for this class are the Behavioral text and BRS Behavioral Science, along with
PreTest Psychiatry (available in the Sophie Treasure Chest). There is a fair amount of Pharm in the
course exams, and a little less so on the miniboard—your best bet is to refer to Lippincott’s Pharm
book. I believe they recommended Katzung, but it’s only really useful for learning drugs of abuse. The
miniboard is actually an amusing read, like a trashy novella. Very easy, you’ll see. It covers material
from both Behavioral and Neuropsych, so be sure to review Developmental Stages, and all that other
fun stuff from a year ago. Attendance is mandatory for this class, like Behavioral. Oh, and use the exam
notes typed out by Akeem Marsh (probably included in this document?) when reviewing for the exams,
they’re pretty much spot-on. That plus PreTest is gold for class exams, which will be harder than
lectures will lead you to believe.

SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY

Advice from Samuel Anandan

This class is really the cornerstone of medicine, especially for the USMLE Step 1. It makes you wonder
why so little time is actually devoted to it. PAY ATTENTION in this class! The key to this class is
Goljan’s audio files and his book, Rapid Review Pathology. Listen to ALL the lectures. The stuff he
says is mostly in his book, but some stuff isn’t, so write down the stuff he doesn’t say. Other than that,
the notes are decent, but they’re really long, so it may not be the most beneficial. Look at them for sure,
but if you know Goljan, in addition to reading BRS Pathology, you’ll be fine. If you want to read a
bigger book, little Robbins is really good. The big one is really big, and not for the faint of heart. This
class really isn’t bad, it’s just the volume of material in the short amount of time. The one thing I can’t
stress enough is to LEARN PATH WELL. Don’t memorize blindly. Understand it all. This is key for
the USMLE Step 1! It’s really important! If you read Goljan, you’ll really understand path, so this
really is GOLD for the course. Lab is really boring sometimes, but I guess it can be helpful if you
utilize it. The miniboard does have some color pictures on it, but overall, it isn’t bad. Look through
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 for a good path review.

Advice from Akeem Marsh:

Systems systems systems. After having completed Step 8, Host Defense, Infection and Pathogenesis
successfully, you all must be experts in general pathology so I totally commend you on that. That is a
very good thing, and necessary as Systems Path is a whole new ball game. Fear not though, having
made it to fifth year this is one of the last barricades that you have to overcome, and that you will do.
The course as the name implies is organized according to systems, just like histology, physiology, and
pharmacology. In approaching this course, most definitely keep an open mind and study it very well as
it will be great preparation for the upcoming USMLE exam. The subject itself is very integrative and it
will bring back elements of all those subjects that you thought you forgot including biochemistry,
immunology, microbiology, etc. It is integrative in such a way that if you forgot it from before, you
will relearn it this time around and remember it better because it will fulfill any empty gaps that you
have had in learning (i.e. learning exactly what SSPE associated with measles virus really is).

How to study for this class? The single most important resource is WebPath. WebPath, WebPath, and
more WebPath… haha. Make sure that you read something to get a good foundation of the material,
this is necessary for you will need to know this information for step1 and your future career. I suggest
reading through Robbins, or little Robbins. There’s also BRS and class notes, as I did, not as a lazy
way out but the only way that I found useful given what I could get done effectively. A better text than
BRS may be Goljan Rapid Review, since Goljan is the man! I did not use it myself as I didn’t discover
Goljan until after pathology course was done, but you should invest in that if you need a review book
and haven’t gotten one yet. There is also a huge syllabus of materials that looks like it was
photocopied from papyrus. I would not recommend spending a lot of time on that as it is very verbose
and boring. Ultimately do as you please but make sure that before all of your written exams you go
through the WebPath questions twice and make sure to go through the pictures on WebPath as they
almost certainly will be some repeats.

The format of your written exam will be very similar to that of Step8 except that you will not have as
many questions per exam. There will be probably a total of I think maybe 60-70 questions and of that,
like 10 or 15 will be pictures (double check the syllabus just to make sure). As long as you keep up
with the material in class and make sure to utilize your WebPath resources you should be very fine for
this class.

Miniboard Exam:

Overall, this miniboard though covering a lot of information was not one of the more difficult
miniboards. Basically, if you studied Pathology, that was what was tested on and you would do fine.
Having said that, the best resources for this exam to me where BRS Pathology and Kaplan Questions. I
did not do PreTest myself, but I heard that it was good from many people. Do not sleep on general
pathology at all, as it will make up a good portion of your exam. First Aid section of Pathology was
really good for this
exam as well.
One more thing, Goljan audio! I did not discover Goljan until after path was over with, but I
found it to be an excellent review and learning tool for pathology. I would recommend that you listen
to his files as an adjunct to your own studying, so that all the while preparing for course exams you will
be preparing yourself for the miniboard as well. Also, the way he explains things, you are bound to
learn a good amount of pathology.

Happy Studies.

Advice from Shahla Syed:

Robbins is an INCREDIBLE book - if you read at a decent speed, this is excellent. Also, the class
notes are quite good as well, and everyone recommends reading BRS for the miniboard and for the
Step 1, so I guess I would recommend that as well (though I never read it, it is supposedly the best to
use) so at least you have an idea of what it is like before you start reviewing for the boards.

Advice from Barry Ladizinski:

As you probably already know, in sophie, class notes are the name of the game, luckily though by 5th
year students arent the only lazy ones. Some extra tips though, for path-KNOW THE WEBPATH
MCQs and pictures for the written, you WILL see them again. For the practical listen to what Dr.
Lipper emphasizes, they’re usually on and if not just focus on the most common pics, ie SCC RCC
SEMINOMA etc. Also , while BRS is great and all GOLJAN (RAPID REVIEW SERIES) and his
lecture notes are way more fun!

Advice from Galina Borodulina:

I recommend reading the small version of Robbins. BRSing it alone is not going to cut it. If you really
want a good understanding of the material you need to read a text, and the big robbins/rubin is just not
possible. Get the robbins question book if you don’t already have it, it is GREAT for review and has
great questions, better than BRS or pre-test questions. As for the syllabus (which is thick enough to be
called a book itself), I read it sporadically, but honestly if you’re reading the book there really is no
need to read those papers, however, be aware that once in a while some questions come from the
syllabus (like the breast pathology questions) which were too detailed for little Robbins. But this is a
very rare occurrence when profs want to be picky.

Kathy
Pathology, despite all the terrible things that we heard about it, was actually more manageable than
originally thought to be. That's probably due to the fact that our course was lengthened due to past
students' feedback.

As with other high volume subjects like anatomy, pharm and micro, the key to passing is to not fall
behind. In general, I'd recommend high yield material if you're pressed for time when studying for
exams (perhaps a few key facts about a certain condition). If you want to do well in path, repetition
through various sources is key (and during the process, picking up a few more facts.)

Textbooks: use what you feel comfortable with. I used big Robbins during general path and that
worked for me. I bought and used baby robbins for the first exam but went back to big for the rest of
them. There are plenty of people who used baby and did just as well in the class so no pressure to have
to read thru big Robbins. My usage of big robbins was really as a tool to fortify the information I’d
already learned when I reviewed the lecture notes, listened to the applicable Goljan lectures, and went
through the material in rapid review. Basically, I would first listen to the goljan lectures, taking notes
in rapid review while I was listening to it. Then I would go through the lecture notes, reading the
corresponding pages in rapid review, and take notes into the book. I’d finally skim through big robbins
to see if I missed anything I thought was super important, especially morphology, since RR doesn’t
spend too much time on it, but then again, the exams are mostly conceptual as opposed to “what does
lichen sclerosis look like?”
Towards the end of the course, I basically neglected to read big robbins because I felt like I didn’t have
enough time for it and that I’d just be wasting my time poring over little details while I could be doing
high-yield material. I didn’t read the textbook for the last test, which was CNS, bone/musculoskeletal,
dermatology, head & neck and oral path. The test was almost all the first 3 topics, and the lecturers
were very good for all 3, (fowkes, m. Garcia, and emmanuel, respectively).
For the 3 test, GI, liver, and endocrine, use RR. Our lecturers were pretty darn good for GI and liver
rd

(harpaz and fiel), very solid, just use their notes. Endocrine lecturers were kinda hit or miss, luckily
RR has a very good chapter on it. Can you tell I really liked it? It may or may not work as well for
you, but I sure hope it does.
Im terrible at heme, so let me just comment for you to use whatever you’re comfortable with, and I
hope that you don’t get the same lecturer we did, dr. strauchen, cuz his 8 packets were all pictures, no
text.
As for the exams, MAKE SURE YOU DO THE WEBPATH QUESTIONS AND ALL THE SLIDES
for that exam. Trust me. They will be worth it. It’s always good to do practice questions before
exams, and webpath questions are very good. A lot of people used Kaplan questions, so that’s good
too. The slide questions at the beginning of your written exam will come from either webpath or your
lectures, probably webpath, though. You can answer roughly 85% of those questions before you even
see the slide, so that helps as well.
Go to lab for the most part. I happened to like it, but people did just as well never going to lab at all.
Do definitely go to review, as Dr. Lipper likes ‘encourage’ you to study some things more than others.
Foolproof (maybe not) method for doing well on lab exams: go to the review. Take copious notes.
Look at the slides, memorizing key aspects about them (ex: papillary fronds and orphan annie nuclei
for papillary thyroid carcinoma). Then, this is key: organize those reviewed slides by organ or
location. Grouping them by location is really important, so when the lab exam comes and the question
says:
This section from an appendix shows: ________
You know that there’s only one slide in the GI section of the test that is from the appendix (maybe
more, I forget), but the only one lipper covered during the review was carcinoid, so that must be the
answer. Simple, right? Pathologists know what organ their slides come from when they try to identify
pathologic conditions, so you get the same privilege on lab exams, too.
Miniboard: use a good review book. If you have time, go through RR, cuz it has EVERYTHING IN
IT. I tried to get through it in 4 days, not very successful. BRS is shorter, and has good stuff in it, so
you can use that if you’re time crunched. Pre-test questions were pretty good. Kaplan was also good,
especially if you wanna work on your weak topics. Do questions, questions and more questions. If
you’re on vacation, do some questions while you’re away. Anything and everything helps. Good
luck!

Pakeeza
Class
I used the big Robbins and notes for the first exam. I used the small Robbins and notes for the second
exam. It was only in the third and fourth exams did I realize that using BRS, reviewing the notes, and
webpath questions was probably all I needed. The exams are structured with about 15 picture questions
(gross and microscopic) and about 35 regular questions. Do the Webpath Image questions for prep for
the first 15 questions. As for the 35 regular questions, I found out by the third exam that it tests a lot of
board material. At first, like with all Sophie Davis classes, I would focus heavily on the notes and
supplement with textbook reading. But you don't need to study these sources as intensely as in other
classes - it's too time-consuming and is not that effective. BRS (or any other board review source) and
doing the Webpath and BRS questions is key for this class. If you do well on the Webpath questions, it
means you know your material pretty well. We also found that Dr. Jaffer (the person from Mt. Sinai
who makes these exams) takes many of her questions word for word from Webpath and BRS. Also, Dr.
Lipper hints at what questions may be asked through the clinical vignettes he posts before every exam
and through his lab sessions, so I would pay attention to these.

Miniboard
Many students have found the Goljan lectures and Rapid Review to be very helpful. While they are
excellent sources, it takes a lot of time to get through them. Generally for miniboards, I like to read and
still have time to review the material as well as do as many questions as possible. So I chose to stick
with BRS, do Kaplan Questions and do the Pathology parts of the "Systems" section of Firstaid 2008
(the pdf of this is in Sophie Treasure Chest). This worked well.Good Luck!

EPIDEMIOLOGY (CLINICAL DECISION MAKING)

Advice from Galina Borodulina:

For epi all the exam questions come from the material covered in class and in the syllabus. its all there,
and the recommended readings show up on exams, even though they are just "recommended" . this is
yet another SD epi course, brace yourselves..

Advice from Barry Ladizinski:

Blah dont bother you’ve learned the material 1000x and compared to Dr. Sekhobo it’s a breeze.

Advice from Shahla Syed:

Don't worry, just pay attention in lecture, Dr. Lubetkin thoroughly goes over everything you need to
know for that class. If you want to read the textbook, its short and quick, but if you don't, don't worry
because Dr. Lubetkin is quite good.

Advice from Akeem Marsh:

There are summary/review sheets given before each exam, so that will further help guide your studies.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Advice from Samuel Anandan

The notes are what you really need for this class. To be completely honest, I didn’t like this class at all,
because I wanted to study for the USMLE Step 1 (and relax), and not have to read copious packets of
pathophys notes. The notes are all you need, a lot of people aced the class, and really, the notes are
everything. There’s honestly not much else to say about it. The miniboard isn’t bad, but you have many
chances to pass, so don’t really worry too much.

Advice from Akeem Marsh:

This is a very good course to take before Step 1. It is systems based, and is a very integrative review of
what you have learned so far plus it integrates well clinical information. Studying for this class is in
effect like studying for the boards, they go hand in hand so well in fact, many people when studying a
particular system for an exam in this course would review as well the relevant materials specifically for
the step.

Anyway, I don’t really have much to say for this class except that I thought that the exams were tough
in relation to the material lectured on. There was no particular textbook recommended, so researching
information related to some lecture topics was challenging. Nevertheless, a good majority of the class
was able to do very well. However, some people did run into academic difficulty. So I will suggest
that nobody sleep on this course, as on paper it appears very easy to pass. It is only to your benefit if
you take the course seriously and prepare for it because you need to know this information as a doctor
plus it will help you in your preparation for the USMLE step1 exam.

You will have a few written exams and a miniboard. Best advice for the written exams, study your
lecture notes and you can read up in this book, Pathophysiology for the Boards and Wards. It is a small
handheld book that is really helpful for this particular course. I would recommend reading it along
with your pathophys course, but the only problem is that it is information dense and a lot to take in, but
at the end you will be very knowledgeable on the important information. It is of course, no substitute
for the notes, but only meant as a complement. There’s also a pretest for Pathophysiology that many
people used to test themselves while studying for the course exams. I think that it was somewhat
helpful, and worth doing to test your knowledge. It like other pretests and sophie classes does not
particularly correlate, but can’t hurt.

The miniboard exam for this course is basically a practice comprehensive step1 exam. They call the
miniboard for this course, Intro to Clinical diagnosis, but basically if you know your basic sciences
well (the material that you should have been reviewing for step1) and if you actually paid attention in
physical diagnosis class then you should have absolutely no problems with this. In preparation for this,
there is no particular book that was useful, I mean some people did Intro to clinical diagnosis pretest,
but I’m not sure how helpful that was as I did it myself and didn’t really see much correlation there.
For this test, if you like doing lots of questions the Pathophys pretest may be good, but I do not think
that it gives any particular advantage because the material tested was more related to the step1 material
than anything else.

Advice from Barry Ladizinski:

You’ve learned the material already and studying for step 1 is more important by then anyway...
 PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS

Advice from Akeem Marsh:

Physical diagnosis is a very easy class. It pretty much is like if you show up you will pass. The entire
purpose of it is to teach you diagnostic techniques that will make you a competent physician when you
hit the wards, upon transferring to the medical school. The task of performing an entire physical exam
may seem daunting at first with all the little parts that you have to do, but this is what everyone has to
go through as a medical student… it is part of the rite of passage so you just have to suck it up. Plus, I
found this to be fun actually, especially if you have really cool friends or family that would let you use
them as test dummies.

You will be told to read Bates textbook. It really is a good book, may I chime in. But, I’m not
particularly a fan of Bates Book so I would recommend instead you get the pocket size edition that is
much smaller and can be used as a quick reference. You will have workbook assignments, but they do
not require the textbook to do. As for the tools that you will need, you don’t really need to buy the
otoscope or ophthalmoscope, as those usually are present in hospitals but you should get them if you
want to practice on your own, for you will have to be proficient with them when doing rotations in the
third year of med school (at least peds, and medicine). You definitely should get the stethoscope (but
it’s unnecessary to get the most expensive fancy one, just get the recommended unless you like the
expensive fancy stuff), also tuning forks, reflex hammer, and a pen light. Additionally, they do not
recommend this but I urge everyone to get a Maxwell Quick Reference ISBN: 0964518135. It is really
cheap and will come in handy for the rest of your life as a doctor. It has a bunch of goodies on it like a
mini physical exam outline, history outline, mental status exam, normal lab values… etc. GET IT !! lol

Besides that, you just need to show up and you will do fine. Here are some websites where u can
listen to heart or lung sounds and/or observe the physical exam done by professionals for your own
review. At the end of the class you have a practical and a written exam. For the practical, you know
what to expect, basically know how to do your physical exam. Practice on each other, and review the
steps on index cards or a review sheet. The written exam, make sure you know what the signs on the
physical exam are, such as McBurney’s point or Chvolstek’s sign. You will learn about these.

Neurological exam: http://edinfo.med.nyu.edu/courseware/neurosurgery/

Comprehensive physical exam: http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/links.html
Modules on developing bedside manners: http://depts.washington.edu/physdx/
Heart sounds: http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/multimedia/heartsounds/
Lung sounds: http://www.rale.ca/Repository.htm

Advice from Barry Ladizinski:

For physical diagnosis the exam comes from the homework’s you get and the tools are a waste of
money unless you direly need a ten dollar eye chart but learning the physical exam is key as you will
do it 1000x in the future…

COMPREHENSIVE BASIC SCIENCE EXAM

Advice from Akeem Marsh:

Early on during the spring semester of your fifth year, you will be given a Comprehensive Basic
Science Exam. This is basically a comprehensive miniboard, containing 200 questions in the same
format as all of your miniboards and it is sort of a glimpse of how step 1 should be, in terms of
integrating the different subjects together and not having them in any particular order.
Since the exam shows up somewhat abruptly, people get all worked up and nervous. Having read this
text from me, it may not be so abrupt but you will still have some of those feelings of nervousness and
anxiety. Fear not though, for you should take it for exactly what it is intended to be: a diagnostic. I
think that it is very good that the school provides this for the students, for it shows you early on exactly
where you stand in terms of knowledge and gives you insight into what you should get up on. For
instance, the test showed me that I was strong on subjects as biochemistry, genetics, and neurology
(can’t explain the last one) but I was weak on the subjects of respiratory system and microbiology
subject. [The results of this exam are displayed in such a way that you can see the breakdown of how
you did both by system and by subject.]
After learning of the results, I began my USMLE step1 studies with a read through of Microbiology
Made Simple and extensive review in first aid, along with a review of the respiratory system from
anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. This ended up coming in handy actually because
there was a good amount of microbiology questions on my exam that I may not have known otherwise
had I not had the insight to study it from this test. So bottom line is, take the test to be a diagnostic tool
as to where you stand and let it guide your studying from there on! Note, obviously you know if you do
well on a subject/system on the diagnostic test, that doesn’t mean overlook it (ie. behavioral science). I
mean, you have to weigh things according to how you feel comfortable but by no means, do not
overlook any particular subject or system because that might come back to haunt you.