PHYT 8925 - Applied Neuroscience for Physical Therapists
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41668,
Credit hours: 4
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Edmund Ickert
Professional Qualifications:
PhD,, Health Sciences, Youngstown State University
DPT, Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University
Master’s, Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor’s, Chemistry, Youngstown State University
Bachelor’s, Biology, Youngstown State University
Co-Coordinator
Email: ecickert@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa B326
Office Phone: 330-941-1326
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
Students who reach out to faculty through email should allow 24 hours
to receive a response during the week (M-F) and 48 hours over the course of the weekend (Sat-Sun).
Shannon Dudash
Professional Qualifications:
PhD, Health Sciences, Youngstown State University
DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University
Bachelor of Science, Youngstown State University
Co-Coordinator
Email: sstarr@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa B319
Office Phone: 330-941-2407
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
Students who reach out to faculty through email should allow 24 hours
to receive a response during the week (M-F) and 48 hours over the course of the weekend (Sat-Sun).
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Neuroscience: Fundamentals for Rehabilitation (6th Edition) | Laurie Lundy-Ekman | 9780323792677 |
| Optional | Neurologic Rehabilitation: Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity in Physical Therapy Practice (2nd Edition) | Deborah S. Nichols Larsen | 9781260461398 |
| Optional | Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases (2nd Edition) | Hal Blumenfeld | 9780878936137 |
| Optional | Neuroanatomy Atlas in Clinical Context: Structures, Sections, Systems, and Syndromes (11th Edition) | Duane E. Haines | 9781975197292 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 1, 2 | Syllabus and Course Introduction Overview of the nervous system: terminology and surface anatomy (CLO 1) |
|
| Fri | 8/28 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 2, 4 | Neuroanatomy fundamentals and overview: cells of the nervous system, lobes, subcortical structures, and brainstem (CLO 1, 4, 13) | |
| Tue | 9/1 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 3 Nichols-Larson Chapter 10 (not pediatric section) |
Introduction to the neurologic examination framework (CLO 10) | |
| Fri | 9/4 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 5, 6 | Physiology & Synaptic Transmission of neurons (CLO 4, 5) | Quiz #1 |
| Tue | 9/8 | No assigned readings | Neuro Lab #1 - Structure ID: Brain lobes, sulci/gyri, brainstem regions, spinal cord segments; identification on models/atlas Neuro Testing: Introduction to neurologic screening: orientation, level of consciousness, myotome/dermatomes (CLO 1, 10) | |
| Fri | 9/11 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 7,8 | Neuroplasticity and Nervous system development (CLO 3, 11) | |
| Tue | 9/15 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 10 | Overview of the peripheral somatosensory system (CLO 6, 9) | Lab Worksheet #1 Due |
| Fri | 9/18 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 11 | Overview of the central somatosensory system (CLO 6, 9) | Quiz #2 |
| Tue | 9/22 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 12 | Pain as a disease and as a symptom (CLO 9) | |
| Fri | 9/25 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 13 | Overview of skeletal muscle structure and function (CLO 5, 9) | Quiz #3 |
| Tue | 9/29 | No assigned readings | Neuro Lab #2 - Structure ID: DCML vs. spinothalamic tract course on spinal cord models; thalamic nuclei; somatosensory cortex homunculus; dermatome maps Neuro Testing: Light touch, sharp/dull discrimination, proprioception/kinesthesia, vibration, two-point discrimination, temperature; sensory charting and localization of deficit patterns (CLO 6, 8, 10) | |
| Fri | 10/2 | Lundy-Ekman chapter 14 | Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Lesions (CLO 6, 8) | |
| Tue | 10/6 | No assigned readings | Examination #1 (CLO 1-6, 9-11) | Lab Worksheet #2 Due |
| Fri | 10/9 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 15 | Overview of the Cerebellum (CLO 7, 8) | |
| Tue | 10/13 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 16, 17 | Overview of the Basal ganglia (CLO 7, 8, 13) | |
| Fri | 10/16 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 18 | Organization and structure of the peripheral nervous system (CLO 1, 6) | Quiz #4 |
| Tue | 10/20 | No assigned readings | Neuro Lab #3 – Structure ID: Corticospinal tract pathway on models; anterior horn cell anatomy; upper vs. lower motor neuron pathways; pyramidal tract somatotopy, cerebellum, basal ganglia Neuro Testing: Deep tendon reflexes; Babinski/plantar response; muscle tone assessment (Modified Ashworth); clonus; Hoffman sign; UMN vs. LMN clinical differentiation (CLO 6, 8, 10) | |
| Fri | 10/23 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 19 | Spinal region anatomy and clinical correlates (CLO 1, 6, 8) | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 20, 21 | Overview of brainstem anatomy (CLO 1, 8) | Lab Worksheet #3 Due |
| Fri | 10/30 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 22, 23 | Overview of the vestibular and visual systems (CLO 7, 8, 10) | |
| Tue | 11/3 | Lundy-Ekman Chapter 9 | Overview of the autonomic nervous system (CLO 9) | |
| Fri | 11/6 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 25, 26 | Overview of the vascular supply of the brain (CLO 2, 8) | Quiz #5 |
| Tue | 11/10 | No assigned readings | Neuro Lab #4 – Structure ID: Brainstem levels on models (midbrain/pons/medulla landmarks); cranial nerve exit points; nuclei locations; cerebellar peduncles Neuro Testing: Cranial nerve screening (CN I–XII): olfaction, visual acuity/fields, EOM/pupillary response, facial sensation & symmetry, hearing (Weber/Rinne), palate/gag, SCM/trapezius strength, tongue; localization of brainstem level from CN deficits (CLO 8, 10) | |
| Fri | 11/13 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 27, 28 | Overview of the cerebral cortex and it’s function (CLO 1, 7, 8, 13) | |
| Tue | 11/17 | No assigned readings | Examination #2 (CLO 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) | Lab Worksheet #4 Due |
| Fri | 11/20 | Lundy-Ekman Chapters 29, 30 | Overview of the limbic system and communication/attention (CLO 9, 13) | Quiz #6 |
| Tue | 11/24 | No assigned readings | Neuro Lab #5 – Structure ID: Cortical regions on brain models (frontal/parietal/temporal/occipital lobes, limbic structures, association cortices, corpus callosum); vascular supply Neuro Testing: Cognitive/cortical screen: orientation, attention (digit span), language (fluency/naming/repetition), memory (3-object recall), visuospatial (clock draw), praxis, neglect (CLO 8, 10, 13) | |
| Fri | 11/27 | No Class | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | No assigned readings | Final Case Presentations (CLO 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13) | Final Presentations Due |
| Fri | 12/4 | No assigned readings | Final Case Presentations (CLO 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13) | Lab Worksheet #5 Due |
| Tue | 12/8 | No assigned readings | Final Examination (CLO 1-13) | |
| Fri | 12/11 | No Class |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.