This section will enable you to assess the mechanisms leading to inflammatory changes, to explore some of the underlying infective and immunological triggers for these changes, and to introduce the concept of laboratory assessment and modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.

The aim of this section is to understand the pathophysiology, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, including the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, of bacterial meningitis.

By the end of this section you will have a better understanding of the organisms involved in focal sepsis, their clinical presentations and short and long-term management.

Tuberculosis and fungal infections are seen less commonly than bacterial ones but on completing this section you will have strengthened your knowledge base of their unique features and specific management.

By the end of this section you will have acquired a good working knowledge of the range of pathogens associated with direct invasion and pathology of the nervous system, their clinical pictures and diagnostic assessment and reviewed antiviral and other modalities of treatment.

Paediatric neurologists may encounter children with HIV infection in a number of ways:

• they may present with a neurological problem
• they may subsequently develop neurological sequelae after the initial infection is already diagnosed
• they may develop unwanted neurological effects of their antiretroviral therapies.

All neurologists should have a good basic knowledge of the pathophysiology and clinical features of this major infection, and its potential to affect the nervous system.

By the end of this section you will have acquired a good working knowledge of the forms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, the theories behind variant CJD and its epidemiology. You should be able to understand the presentation, diagnostic criteria and how to confirm a diagnosis.

By the end of this section you will be able to assess children who are unwell with neurological features and history of recent travel. We will also review the less common pathogens affecting the nervous system in the UK and other non-tropical countries.

In this section, you will learn how primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) impact on the Nervous system.

In this section, you will consider the spectrum of demyelinating inflammatory CNS disorders. You will appraise the typical clinical presentations, and characteristic imaging appearances. The pathophysiology is complex and incompletely understood. However, you will consider pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes on neuronal survival in the context of demyelinating CNS disease. You will critically appraise the evidence for immunomodulatory therapies in demyelinating disorders.

The aim of this section is for you to understand the concepts of autoimmunity, and their Application to CNS disorders.

The aim of this section is to review the current immunisations relevant to the prevention of neurological diseases, including complications and contraindications. In addition, we will discuss other means and methods of preventing infection reaching, or otherwise affecting, the nervous system.

Diagnosis and classification of neuroinflammatory conditions is important because immunomodulation can alter the course of the disease and the long-term outcome. In this section you will use your knowledge about the diagnosis, pathophysiology and natural history of neuroinflammatory disorders to assess the initiation and escalation of immunotherapy. You will consider the different treatments available in neuroinflammatory conditions, indications for treatment, the benefits and risks of treatment, and the role of future clinical trials.

In this section we will look at the evidence in children of neurological involvement from covid-19 infection, and the potential mechanisms of neuropathogenesis.