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Board Review 2026
Comprehensive clinical neuroscience review spanning neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and differential diagnosis for board preparation
Master the clinical neuroscience knowledge base required for board-level competency across neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and differential diagnosis.
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Course Description
Board examinations demand more than memorization. They require the ability to synthesize neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical pathology into rapid, accurate diagnostic reasoning. Gaps in any single domain create vulnerability across the entire exam.
This 25-credit hour board review course delivers a comprehensive integration of clinical neuroscience, from embryology and membrane physiology through cranial nerve syndromes, spinal cord localization, peripheral neuropathies, vestibular disorders, movement disorders, pain mechanisms, cerebellar pathology, and neurovascular syndromes. Each topic is built around clinical application, differential diagnosis, and the pattern recognition that board questions demand. Case-based questions reinforce each section. Taught by Dr. John McClaren, this course consolidates the breadth of functional neurology into a focused, exam-ready framework designed for experienced clinicians.
What you’ll learn:
- Localize lesions using spinal cord tract anatomy and reflex patterns
- Differentiate peripheral neuropathies through electrodiagnostic findings
- Interpret cranial nerve deficits to identify brainstem lesion levels
- Apply vestibular testing and rehabilitation protocols clinically
- Analyze neurovascular syndromes for accurate stroke localization
More About This Course
Board certification in clinical neuroscience represents one of the most rigorous professional milestones a clinician can achieve. The breadth of knowledge required spans developmental neurology, cellular neurophysiology, peripheral and central neuropathology, autonomic regulation, vestibular science, oculomotor function, pain neuroscience, movement disorders, and cerebrovascular disease. For clinicians preparing for this challenge, a structured and clinically integrated review is essential for consolidating years of advanced training into examination readiness.
Board Review 2026 is a 25-credit hour course designed to provide that integration. Rather than presenting isolated facts, this course builds diagnostic reasoning across every major domain of clinical neuroscience. Beginning with neurulation and neural tube development, the course progresses through membrane physiology, ion channel disorders, neurotransmitter systems, and long-term potentiation before advancing into peripheral nerve anatomy, entrapment neuropathies, brachial plexopathies, polyneuropathies, and electrodiagnostic interpretation. Spinal cord tracts, myelopathic syndromes, radiculopathies, and cauda equina presentations are covered with emphasis on transverse and longitudinal localization. The course then addresses cranial nerve anatomy and clinical syndromes from olfaction through hypoglossal function, including pupillary reflexes, diplopia assessment, and cerebellopontine angle pathology. Vestibular physiology, BPPV management, caloric testing interpretation, and vestibular rehabilitation principles are explored alongside cerebellar functional organization and ataxia classification. The autonomic nervous system is addressed through both anatomy and clinical evaluation, including orthostatic testing, heart rate variability, baroreceptor physiology, and vestibulo-autonomic integration. The course covers basal ganglia circuitry, movement disorder pathophysiology, pain neuroanatomy from peripheral sensitization through central sensitization, and headache classification including migraine, cluster, cervicogenic, and neuralgia syndromes. Intracranial vascular anatomy, stroke localization, brainstem syndromes, and non-vascular intracranial disorders including hydrocephalus and intracranial hypotension complete the clinical scope. Each section includes board-style case questions that reinforce pattern recognition and differential diagnosis.
This course is designed for licensed healthcare clinicians who are preparing for board examinations in functional neurology, clinical neuroscience, or related disciplines. It is equally valuable for diplomates seeking a structured review to maintain and sharpen their diagnostic capabilities across the full scope of neurological practice.
Dr. John McClaren is an Assistant Professor of Functional Neurology at the Carrick Institute. As a chiropractic neurologist holding the DACNB credential, Dr. McClaren brings both academic depth and clinical expertise to this comprehensive board review, ensuring that every topic is presented with the clinical relevance and diagnostic precision that board examinations demand.
Components
Educational Syllabus
- From Neural Tube to Clinical Pathology
- Trace nervous system development from neurulation through neural crest cell differentiation and connect embryological origins to neural tube defects, tethered cord syndrome, and folic acid supplementation guidelines critical for clinical counseling.
- The Living Neuron and Its Molecular Vulnerabilities
- Explore neuron structure, axonal transport mechanisms, cytoarchitecture, and gene expression including tauopathies, alpha-synuclein aggregation, Lewy body formation, and autophagy to understand the cellular basis of neurodegeneration.
- Mastering Membrane Physiology and Ion Channel Dynamics
- Build command over resting membrane potential, graded potentials, action potential propagation, refractory periods, and clinical measurement of latency to strengthen your electrophysiological reasoning for board-level questions.
- Neurotransmitter Systems and Synaptic Integration
- Integrate the pharmacology and physiology of GABA, glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine with ionotropic and metabotropic receptor function, long-term potentiation, and neuromodulation principles.
- Ionic Disorders and Metabolic Syndromes That Alter Neural Function
- Recognize how hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, sodium imbalances, glucose metabolism disorders, Wilson disease, and vitamin deficiencies including B1, B6, B12, and folate present clinically and disrupt neuronal membrane potentials.
- Neuromuscular Junction Disorders and Myopathy Pattern Recognition
- Differentiate myasthenia gravis from Lambert-Eaton syndrome using clinical features and repetitive nerve stimulation, then classify myopathies by their distinctive weakness patterns from proximal limb-girdle to inclusion body myositis.
- Muscle Spindle Physiology and Tendon Organ Mechanics
- Gain clinical mastery of spindle sensitivity, gain, gamma motor neuron influence, dynamic versus static stretch responses, Golgi tendon organ feedback, and autogenic inhibition to refine your understanding of motor control.
- Peripheral Nerve Injury, Electrodiagnosis, and Plexus Anatomy
- Navigate nerve injury classification, Wallerian degeneration, transneuronal degeneration, NCS and EMG interpretation, brachial plexus anatomy, and distinguish axonal from demyelinating neuropathies with diagnostic precision.
- Upper and Lower Limb Entrapment Neuropathies
- Systematically evaluate carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, radial nerve, and lower limb entrapment syndromes including piriformis, tarsal tunnel, and Morton neuroma using clinical signs, provocative tests, and electrodiagnostic correlation.
- Spinal Cord Localization and Myelopathic Syndromes
- Master ascending and descending tract anatomy, transverse and longitudinal cord localization, cervical spondylotic myelopathy differentiation, ALS recognition, syringomyelia patterns, and radiculopathy assessment from cervical through lumbar levels.
- Cranial Nerve Anatomy and Clinical Syndromes
- Systematically evaluate cranial nerves I through XII including olfactory disorders, visual field defects, pupillary reflexes, diplopia assessment, trigeminal neuropathy, Bell palsy, vestibulocochlear function, and lower cranial nerve pathology.
- Autonomic Nervous System Evaluation and Dysautonomia
- Apply orthostatic testing, heart rate variability, Valsalva interpretation, baroreceptor physiology, vestibulo-autonomic pathways, and recognize orthostatic hypotension, POTS, Raynaud phenomenon, and micturition disorders clinically.
- Cerebellar Functional Organization and Ataxia Syndromes
- Distinguish vestibulocerebellar, spinocerebellar, and neocerebellar dysfunction through clinical assessment, classify acute and hereditary ataxias including Friedreich and SCA subtypes, and apply targeted cerebellar therapies.
- Oculomotor System, Vestibular Disorders, and Rehabilitation
- Integrate saccadic and pursuit physiology, convergence insufficiency, nystagmus classification, BPPV diagnosis and repositioning maneuvers, caloric testing interpretation, and vestibular rehabilitation progression for clinical application.
- Pain Neuroscience, Headache Classification, and Neurovascular Syndromes
- Synthesize anterolateral system anatomy, peripheral and central sensitization, neuropathic pain mechanisms, migraine pathophysiology, cervicogenic headache, stroke localization by vascular territory, and brainstem syndrome recognition.
Venue, Hotels & Schedule
Also includes
Board Review 2026
Master the clinical neuroscience knowledge base required for board-level competency across neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and differential diagnosis.
$
$
(
$
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