Curriculum Innovation: An Interactive, Case-Based, Multimodal Preclinical Neuroanatomy Teaching Curriculum

Neuroanatomy is a core component of medical education yet may contribute to neurophobia, in part due to difficulty visualizing three-dimensional structures and applying foundational knowledge to clinical reasoning. Although active learning strategies such as flipped classrooms, case-based learning, and near-peer teaching are increasingly used to teach neuroanatomy, there is limited qualitative exploration describing how learners experience these modalities and how they support learning. This represents an important gap for educators designing learner-centered neuroanatomy instruction.

The aim of this curriculum was to enable preclinical medical students to (1) identify and describe major neuroanatomical structures, pathways, and vascular territories; (2) interpret basic neuroimaging to support anatomical localization; (3) distinguish central from peripheral causes of neurologic deficits; and (4) justify lesion localization by integrating clinical history, examination findings, and imaging.

We evaluated a six-week preclinical neuroanatomy curriculum within the Harvard Medical School course Mind, Brain, and Behavior, which integrates asynchronous preparatory materials, in-person case-based collaborative learning ("mini-cases"), and hands-on cadaveric ("damp") laboratory sessions facilitated by faculty and resident near-peer instructors. Learners completed required preparatory work before participating in paired in-person sessions emphasizing deliberate practice in anatomical localization. Program evaluation used mixed methods, including anonymous postcourse evaluation survey data and a semistructured focus group. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a mixed deductive-inductive thematic approach.

Of 168 enrolled students, 138 (82.1%) completed the postcourse evaluation. Overall course quality was rated as Excellent or Good by 94% (95% CI 89%-97%). Mini-cases and damp laboratory sessions were rated Excellent or Good by 94% (95% CI 85%-98%) and 74% (95% CI 62%-83%) of respondents, respectively. Twelve students participated in the focus group. Four major themes emerged: acquiring knowledge, applying knowledge, clinical relevance, and opportunities for improvement. Students highlighted the value of repeated case-based practice, near-peer clinical insight, and realistic exposure to neurology practice.

An integrated, multimodal neuroanatomy curriculum emphasizing active learning and clinical application was positively received and aligned with stated learning objectives. Key lessons include the importance of structured near-peer preparation, progressive scaffolding of complex anatomy, and repeated opportunities for application. These findings may inform the design of clinically oriented neuroanatomy curricula across institutions.