Neuron 7 is a neurological instrument that consists of the tools a practitioner needs to undertake a simple neurological exam. The Neuron 7 is a handheld instrument that has a lightweight to improve its efficiency. The Neuron 7 is a combination of the seven most common tools used in a neurological exam to answer neurology board questions. The tools are as follows:

Reflex Hammers

The reflex hammer is an essential part of Neuron 7. There is s number of different Reflex hammers, but the Taylor-type hammer is the most used by medical practitioners all over the world. It has a rubber seated on its edge near the top end of Neuron 7. A deep tendon reflex is a response to a hammer strike that extends a muscle. This reflex involves a part of the nerve segment. Reflexes are tested bilaterally plus on both upper and lower limbs. If reflexes are symmetric, they have termed normal Deep tendon Reflexes are graded 0-e n all books. Very Little pressure should be used to evoke a reflex arc, and a neuron 7 hammer is suitable for this.

Two-point Discriminator

This is an instrument that consists of tines spreading apart. This tool is used to assess the sensory results after peripheral nerve repair. Two-point discrimination testing is used after surgical decompression of the damaged peripheral nerve to determine if the nerve function has been restored and if it has improved. Also, two-point discrimination can be used by an examiner in assessing the dysfunction of a nerve and the need for a specialist to do the nerve repair. It is also used to determine whether there is an improvement of postoperative after surgery for mandibular fractures and midface structures. Two-point discriminator also assists in evaluating peripheral nerve damage and the condition for frostbite and burn injuries of the extremities

Light Source

It’s a tool providing LED light consisting of a switch. It’s mainly used to examine the outer part of the ears, pharynx, and pupillary light reflex according to the myriad of diseases.

Wartenberg Wheel

This is a tool that is small in size. It has sharp points that are used to test the sensory part. It is hard to determine the exact level of sensory loss; the Wartenberg wheel only tells that a lesion is over the highest affected area. This wheel is used to evaluate the spinal cord disruption by either trauma or disease, and the wheel is rotated over the skin on the part anesthesia or paresthesia to a part of the pleasant sensation. This wheel is also used for screening to identify peripheral neuropathy in the feet.

Sharp/Dull Tool

A simple sensory exam requires the patient to differentiate a sharp sensation from a dull feeling. Pain, which is caused by a sharp point, is a component of the cutaneous sensory exam. During the sensory exam, the patient is required to close the eyes. This will enable the practitioner reviewing to identify if there is any sensory loss which includes dermatomal deficits, hyperesthesia or failure to sense any pain.

Edge for Plantar Stimulation

This tool is designed for the medical practitioner to perform plantar stimulation. Plantar stimulation involves rubbing of the edge actively on the lateral side of the foot. The typical response expected is plantar flexion to all toes while the abnormal response in dorsal flexion of the big toe which indicates dysfunction of the long corticospinal tract

The above tools will be used when answering neurology board questions. These tools are used by a practitioner to perform simple neurological exams. They are also the best tools known to be the best tools to prepare for your neurology board exam.

Edward Bertrand