Neurology Notes
Neurology (from Greek: νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the
branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and
disease involving the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.[1] Neurological practice
relies heavily on the field of neuroscience, the scientific study of the nervous system.
A neurologist is a physician specializing in neurology and trained to investigate, diagnose and
treat neurological disorders.[2] Neurologists treat a myriad of neurologic conditions, including
stroke, seizures, movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, autoimmune neurologic
disorders such as multiple sclerosis, headache disorders like migraine and dementias such as
Alzheimer's disease.[3] Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research, clinical trials, and
basic or translational research. While neurology is a nonsurgical specialty, its corresponding
surgical specialty is neurosurgery.[2]
History
Main article: History of neurology
The academic discipline began between the 15th and 16th centuries with the work and research
of many neurologists such as Thomas Willis, Robert Whytt, Matthew Baillie, Charles Bell, Moritz
Heinrich Romberg, Duchenne de Boulogne, William A. Hammond, Jean-Martin Charcot, C.
Miller Fisher and John Hughlings Jackson. Neo-Latin neurologia appeared in various texts from
1610 denoting an anatomical focus on the nerves (variably understood as vessels), and was
most notably used by Willis, who preferred Greek νευρολογία.[4][5]
Training
Neurologist
Occupation
Names Physician, Medical Practitioner
Occupation type Profession
Activity sectors Medicine
Description
Education required M.D. or D.O. (US), M.B.B.S. (UK), D.M. (Doctorate of Medicine) (India),
M.B. B.Ch. B.A.O. (Republic of Ireland)[6][7]
Fields of
employment Hospitals, Clinics
Polish neurologist Edward Flatau greatly influenced the developing field of neurology. He
published a human brain atlas in 1894 and wrote a fundamental book on migraines in 1912.
Jean-Martin Charcot is considered one of the fathers of neurology.[8]
Many neurologists also have additional training or interest in one area of neurology, such as
stroke, epilepsy, headache, neuromuscular disorders, sleep medicine, pain management, or
movement disorders.
, In the United States and Canada, neurologists are physicians who have completed a
postgraduate training period known as residency specializing in neurology after graduation from
medical school. This additional training period typically lasts five years, with the first year
devoted to training in internal medicine.[9] On average, neurologists complete a total of eight to
ten years of training. This includes four years of medical school, five years of residency and an
optional one to two years of fellowship.[10]
While neurologists may treat general neurologic conditions, some neurologists go on to receive
additional training focusing on a particular subspecialty in the field of neurology. These training
programs are called fellowships, and are one to two years in duration. Subspecialties include
brain injury medicine, clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disabilities,
neuromuscular medicine, pain medicine, sleep medicine, neurocritical care, vascular neurology
(stroke),[11] behavioral neurology, child neurology, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuroimaging,
neurooncology, and neurorehabilitation.
In Germany, a compulsory year of psychiatry must be done to complete a residency of
neurology.[12]
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, neurology is a subspecialty of general (internal) medicine.
After five years of medical school and two years as a Foundation Trainee, an aspiring
neurologist must pass the examination for Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (or
the Irish equivalent) and complete two years of core medical training before entering specialist
training in neurology.[13] Up to the 1960s, some intending to become neurologists would also
spend two years working in psychiatric units before obtaining a diploma in psychological
medicine. However, that was uncommon and, now that the MRCPsych takes three years to
obtain, would no longer be practical. A period of research is essential, and obtaining a higher
degree aids career progression. Many found it was eased after an attachment to the Institute of
Neurology at Queen Square, London. Some neurologists enter the field of rehabilitation
medicine (known as physiatry in the US) to specialise in neurological rehabilitation, which may
include stroke medicine, as well as traumatic brain injuries.[citation needed]
Physical examination
Main article: Neurological examination
During a neurological examination, the neurologist reviews the patient's health history with
special attention to the patient's neurologic complaints. The patient then takes a neurological
exam. Typically, the exam tests mental status, function of the cranial nerves (including vision),
strength, coordination, reflexes, sensation and gait. This information helps the neurologist
determine whether the problem exists in the nervous system and the clinical localization.
Localization of the pathology is the key process by which neurologists develop their differential
diagnosis. Further tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis and ultimately guide therapy and
appropriate management.
Clinical tasks
Neurology (from Greek: νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the
branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and
disease involving the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.[1] Neurological practice
relies heavily on the field of neuroscience, the scientific study of the nervous system.
A neurologist is a physician specializing in neurology and trained to investigate, diagnose and
treat neurological disorders.[2] Neurologists treat a myriad of neurologic conditions, including
stroke, seizures, movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, autoimmune neurologic
disorders such as multiple sclerosis, headache disorders like migraine and dementias such as
Alzheimer's disease.[3] Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research, clinical trials, and
basic or translational research. While neurology is a nonsurgical specialty, its corresponding
surgical specialty is neurosurgery.[2]
History
Main article: History of neurology
The academic discipline began between the 15th and 16th centuries with the work and research
of many neurologists such as Thomas Willis, Robert Whytt, Matthew Baillie, Charles Bell, Moritz
Heinrich Romberg, Duchenne de Boulogne, William A. Hammond, Jean-Martin Charcot, C.
Miller Fisher and John Hughlings Jackson. Neo-Latin neurologia appeared in various texts from
1610 denoting an anatomical focus on the nerves (variably understood as vessels), and was
most notably used by Willis, who preferred Greek νευρολογία.[4][5]
Training
Neurologist
Occupation
Names Physician, Medical Practitioner
Occupation type Profession
Activity sectors Medicine
Description
Education required M.D. or D.O. (US), M.B.B.S. (UK), D.M. (Doctorate of Medicine) (India),
M.B. B.Ch. B.A.O. (Republic of Ireland)[6][7]
Fields of
employment Hospitals, Clinics
Polish neurologist Edward Flatau greatly influenced the developing field of neurology. He
published a human brain atlas in 1894 and wrote a fundamental book on migraines in 1912.
Jean-Martin Charcot is considered one of the fathers of neurology.[8]
Many neurologists also have additional training or interest in one area of neurology, such as
stroke, epilepsy, headache, neuromuscular disorders, sleep medicine, pain management, or
movement disorders.
, In the United States and Canada, neurologists are physicians who have completed a
postgraduate training period known as residency specializing in neurology after graduation from
medical school. This additional training period typically lasts five years, with the first year
devoted to training in internal medicine.[9] On average, neurologists complete a total of eight to
ten years of training. This includes four years of medical school, five years of residency and an
optional one to two years of fellowship.[10]
While neurologists may treat general neurologic conditions, some neurologists go on to receive
additional training focusing on a particular subspecialty in the field of neurology. These training
programs are called fellowships, and are one to two years in duration. Subspecialties include
brain injury medicine, clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disabilities,
neuromuscular medicine, pain medicine, sleep medicine, neurocritical care, vascular neurology
(stroke),[11] behavioral neurology, child neurology, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuroimaging,
neurooncology, and neurorehabilitation.
In Germany, a compulsory year of psychiatry must be done to complete a residency of
neurology.[12]
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, neurology is a subspecialty of general (internal) medicine.
After five years of medical school and two years as a Foundation Trainee, an aspiring
neurologist must pass the examination for Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (or
the Irish equivalent) and complete two years of core medical training before entering specialist
training in neurology.[13] Up to the 1960s, some intending to become neurologists would also
spend two years working in psychiatric units before obtaining a diploma in psychological
medicine. However, that was uncommon and, now that the MRCPsych takes three years to
obtain, would no longer be practical. A period of research is essential, and obtaining a higher
degree aids career progression. Many found it was eased after an attachment to the Institute of
Neurology at Queen Square, London. Some neurologists enter the field of rehabilitation
medicine (known as physiatry in the US) to specialise in neurological rehabilitation, which may
include stroke medicine, as well as traumatic brain injuries.[citation needed]
Physical examination
Main article: Neurological examination
During a neurological examination, the neurologist reviews the patient's health history with
special attention to the patient's neurologic complaints. The patient then takes a neurological
exam. Typically, the exam tests mental status, function of the cranial nerves (including vision),
strength, coordination, reflexes, sensation and gait. This information helps the neurologist
determine whether the problem exists in the nervous system and the clinical localization.
Localization of the pathology is the key process by which neurologists develop their differential
diagnosis. Further tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis and ultimately guide therapy and
appropriate management.
Clinical tasks
