1. The Neurological Examination and Methods of Assessment
Alvin V. Terry Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
UGA College of Pharmacy
and MCG Alzheimer’s Research Center
Lecture 1

2. Domains History of Present Illness Mental Status Cranial Nerves
Motor Function
Reflexes

3. Domains Continued
Sensory Function
Gait

4. History Chief Complaint Time Course Distribution of Symptoms
Additional Questions

5. Mental Status Speech Alertness Memory Abstract Reasoning
Ability to Follow Commands

6. Source: Web Path®: The Internet Pathology Laboratory
Cranial Nerves
Source: Web Path®: The Internet Pathology Laboratory
for Medical Education

7. I: Olfactory Nerve Odors tested through one Nostril oil of cloves
methyl salicylate
vanilla

8. acuity, visual fields and internal eye structure
II: Optic
Nerve
Tests of visual
acuity, visual fields and internal eye structure

9. Papilledema Normal Severe
Source: Lingsley, Robert E (2000). Conscience text of neuroscience (2nd ed.)

10. * Usually Tested Together
III: Oculomotor
Pupil size, shape and equality
Pupillary reflex
ability to follow moving objects
IV: Trochlear
VI: Abducens
ability to move each eye laterally
* Usually Tested Together

11. V: Trigeminal
Nerve
Testing
the corneal reflex
Testing
the jaw jerk

12. Testing for weakness of the face
VII: Facial Nerve
Testing for weakness of the face

13. Tests of hearing, bone conduction
VIII: Acoustic Nerve
Tests of hearing, bone conduction
and equilibrium

14. * Usually Tested Together
IX: Glossopharyngeal
X: Vagus
Gag reflex
Patient asked to speak and cough
Posterior 1/3 of tongue tested for taste
* Usually Tested Together

15. XI: Accessory Nerve Examination of the Testing the sternocleido-
mastoid muscle
Testing the
trapezius muscle

16. XII: Hypoglossal Nerve Testing for deviation of the tongue

17. Motor Function
Strength
Coordination
Tremors
Atrophy
Fasiculations

18. Strength

19. Finger to nose test
Coordination

20. Coordination
and
Balance

21. Reflexes Biceps Triceps Tendon Reflexes Plantar Response
Cutaneous Reflexes

22. Source: Lingsley, Robert E (2000)
Source: Lingsley, Robert E (2000). Conscience text of neuroscience (2nd ed.)

23. Sensory Function
Asymmetry to Pin Prick
Vibration
Temperature

24. Gait
Walking
Standing

25. Imaging Planes
Axial
Coronal
Sagittal

26. Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

27. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Coronal
Axial
Sagittal
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

28. Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

29. Digital Subtraction Angiography
Intracranial
Vertebrobasilar
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

30. Duplex Scan of the Carotid Bifurcation
Doppler
Duplex Scan of the Carotid Bifurcation

31. Transcranial Doppler

32. Electroencephalography
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

34. Lumbar Puncture CSF Pressure Measurement (with manometer)
Source: Mosby Clinical Neurology CD Atlas

35. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
Axial
Sagittal
Source: NIH/NIA

36. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Source: NIH/NIA