USMLE Step 1 Pharmacology – Nervous System & Special Senses

USMLE provides an outline of the USMLE Step 1 Content. The outline breaks down the exam into systems.  This page will review the nervous system section of the USMLE Step 1 outline as it relates to pharmacology.

Nervous System & Special Senses

Here is a look at a summary of USMLE outline for the nervous system section with a focus on pharmacology related topics.

Specific CNS Infectious Disorders

Infectious Conditions Highlighted

• Meningitis/Encephalitis
  • Bacterial
    • Actinomyces israelii
    • Haemophilus influenzae
    • Listeria monocytogenes
    • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
    • Neisseria meningitidis
    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • Staphylococcus epidermidis
    • Streptococcus agalactiae
    • Streptococcus pneumoniae
    • Clostridium botulinum
    • Clostridium tetani
  • Viral (with specific treatments available)
    • Herpes simplex virus
    • Varicella zoster
    • Human immunodeficiency virus
    • Rabies virus
    • Cytomegalovirus
    • Epstein-Barr Virus
  • Fungal
    • Blastomycosis dermatitidis
    • Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii
  • Spirochetal
    • Borrelia burgdorferi
    • Leptospira
    • Treponema pallidum (includes neurosyphilis)

Inflammatory Conditions Highlighted

• Myasthenia gravis
• Multiple sclerosis

Cerebrovascular Disease

• Thrombotic stroke

Peripheral Nerve Disorder

• Herpes zoster

Degenerative Disorders/Amnestic Syndromes

• Alzheimer disease

Movement Disorders

• Parkinson disease

Paroxysmal Disorders

• Caffeine withdrawal
• Seizure Disorders
  • Generalized tonic-clonic
  • Partial
  • Absence

Sleep Disorders

• Cataplexy and narcolepsy
• Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
• Insomnia
• Restless legs syndrome

Adverse Effects of Drugs on the Nervous System

• Acute dystonic reaction
• Drug-induced meningitis (NSAIDS, sulfa drugs)
• Drug-induced neuropathy (vincristine, isoniazid, metronidazole)
• Extrapyramidal adverse effects
  • Akathisia
  • Dystonia
  • Drug-induced parkinsonism
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
• Toxicology
  • Antidepressant
  • Serotonin syndrome
• Tardive dyskinesia

Disorders of the Eye and Eyelid

• Infectious and inflammatory disorders of the eye
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Endophthalmitis
  • Uveitis
  • Periorbital Cellulitis
• Adverse effects of drugs on the eye
  • Ethambutol
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Prednisone

Disorders of the Ear

• Infectious and inflammatory disorders of the ear
  • Otitis media
  • Otitis externa
  • Mastoiditis
• Adverse effects of drugs on the ear
  • Antineoplastic agents
    • Cisplatin
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Furosemide
  • Salicylates