Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Physicians specializing in the field of neurology are called neurologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with neurological disorders. Most neurologists are trained to treat and diagnose adults. Pediatric neurologists, nearly always a subspecialty of pediatrics, treat neurological disease in children.
Field of work
Neurological disorders are disorders that affect the
central nervous system (
brain,
brainstem and
cerebellum), the
peripheral nervous system (
peripheral nerves -
cranial nerves included), or the
autonomic nervous system (parts of which are located in both central and peripheral nervous system). Neurologists also diagnose and treat some conditions in the
musculoskeletal system.
Major conditions include:
- headache disorders such as migraine, cluster headache and tension headache
- epilepsy and seizure disorders
- neurodegenerative disorders, the most common class being dementias, including Alzheimer's disease
- cerebrovascular disease, such as transient ischemic attacks, and strokes (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
- sleep disorders
- cerebral palsy
- infections of the central nervous system (encephalitis), brain envelopes (meningitis) and peripheral nerves (neuritis), such as brain abscess, herpetic meningoencephalitis, aspergilloma, cerebral hydatic cyst
- some infections of the peripheral nervous system, such as tetanus and botulism
- neoplasms - tumors of the brain and its envelopes (brain tumors), spinal cord tumors, tumors of the peripheral nerves (neuroma)
- movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, chorea, hemiballismus, tic disorder, and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
- demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, and of the peripheral nervous system, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- spinal cord disorders - tumors, infections, trauma, malformations (e.g., myelocele, meningomyelocele, tethered cord)
- disorders of peripheral nerves, muscle (myopathy) and neuromuscular junctions
- traumatic injuries to the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
- altered mental status, encephalopathy, stupor and coma
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Neurobiology :: Biology
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Archives of Neurology recent issuesEffects of Intensive Medical Therapy on Microemboli and Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis [Original Contribution]Spence, J. D., Coates, V., Li, H., Tamayo, A., Munoz, C., Hackam, D. G., DiCicco, M., DesRoches, J., Bogiatzi, C., Klein, J., Madrenas, J., Hegele, R. A.Objective To assess the effect of more intensive medical therapy on the rate of transcranial Doppler (TCD) microemboli and cardiovascular events in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS).Design A prospective study.Setting A teaching hospital.Patients Four hundred sixty-eight patients with ACS greater than 60% by Doppler peak velocity.Main Outcome Measures We compared (1) the proportion of ACS patients who had microemboli on TCD, (2) cardiovascular events, (3) rate of carotid plaque progression, and (4) baseline medical therapy, before and since 2003.Results Among 468 ACS patients, 199 were enrolled between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2002; and 269 were enrolled between January 1, 2003, and July 30, 2007. Microemboli were present in 12.6% before 2003 and 3.7% since 2003 (P < .001). The decline in microemboli coincided with better control of plasma lipids and slower progression of carotid total plaque area. Since 2003, there have been significantly fewer cardiovascular events among patients with ACS: 17.6% had stroke, death, myocardial infarction, or carotid endarterectomy for symptoms before 2003, vs 5.6% since 2003 (P < .001). The rate of carotid plaque progression in the first year of follow-up has declined from 69 mm2 (SD, 96 mm2) to 23 mm2 (SD, 86 mm2) (P < .001).Conclusions Cardiovascular events and microemboli on TCD have markedly declined with more intensive medical therapy. Less than 5% of patients with ACS now stand to benefit from revascularization; patients with ACS should receive intensive medical therapy and should only be considered for revascularization if they have microemboli on TCD.Published online December 14, 2009 (doi:10.1001/archneurol.2009.289).
Infectious Burden and Risk of Stroke: The Northern Manhattan Study [Original Contribution]Elkind, M. S. V., Ramakrishnan, P., Moon, Y. P., Boden-Albala, B., Liu, K. M., Spitalnik, S. L., Rundek, T., Sacco, R. L., Paik, M. C.Objective To determine the association between a composite measure of serological test results for common infections (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2) and stroke risk in a prospective cohort study.Design Prospective cohort followed up longitudinally for median 8 years.Setting Northern Manhattan Study.Patients Randomly selected stroke-free participants from a multiethnic urban community.Main Outcome Measure Incident stroke and other vascular events.Results All 5 infectious serological results were available from baseline samples in 1625 participants (mean [SD] age, 68.4 [10.1] years; 64.9% women). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate associations of each positive serological test result with stroke. Individual parameter estimates were then combined into a weighted index of infectious burden and used to calculate hazard ratios and confidence intervals for association with risk of stroke and other outcomes, adjusted for risk factors. Each individual infection was positively, though not significantly, associated with stroke risk after adjusting for other risk factors. The infectious burden index was associated with an increased risk of all strokes (adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.90) after adjusting for demographics and risk factors. Results were similar after excluding those with coronary disease (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.13) and adjusting for inflammatory biomarkers.Conclusions A quantitative weighted index of infectious burden was associated with risk of first stroke in this cohort. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to further define optimal measures of infectious burden as a stroke risk factor.Published online November 9, 2009 (doi:10.1001/archneurol.2009.271).
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Family Practice Notebook: Neurology - Comprehensive database of neurological disorders.
Meta Description: [ Covers Autonomic, Cerebellum, Chorea, Cranial Nerve, Cognitive, CSF, Demyelinating, Disability, Examination, Headache, Level of Consciousness, Motor, Procedure, Seizure, Sensory, Symptom Evaluation and Tremor. Related chapters from other specialties include Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Ophthalmo... ]
Foundation for Education and Research in Neurological Emergencies - Information about this non-profit organization for improving the care of Emergency Department patients with neurological emergencies. Offers free educational courses and sponsors research for Emergency Physicians.
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Institute for Nerve Medicine - Presenting information on disorders of the cranial, spinal and peripheral nerves. Includes illustrated descriptions of treatment options.
Iowa Neuroradiology Library - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Radiology teaching file.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - An NIH site with research and clinical information on disorders of the brain and nervous system.
Neuroconsult - Information resource on Clinical Neurology. Covering areas such as alzheimers, epilepsy, migraine, motor neurone, multiple sclerosis, pain, parkinsons, schizophrenia, and stroke.
NeuroExam.com - Interactive online guide to the neurological exam with streaming video demonstrations. [Realplayer]
Meta Description: [ neuroexam.com is an interactive online guide to the neurologic examination, with video demonstrations. It is a companion to 'The NeuroExam Video' and 'Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases', both by Hal Blumenfeld ]
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Neurological Teaching Videos - Digital video of the neurologic exam [Online registration, (free) required] by Wright State University.
Neurology Channel - Resource for Neurology related consumer healthcare.
Meta Description: [ NeurologyChannel is a comprehensive resource for seizures, stroke, coma, Alzheimer's, headaches, migraines, Parkinson's, and other brain and nervous system disorders. Features patient forum and neurologist search. ]
Neurology in Clinical Practice, 3e - An online professional neurology reference.
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Neurology-Info.net - Information about the nervous system in health and disease. Part of the ALtruis Biomedical Network.
NeurologyLinx - Medical news and information in neurology from medical journals, aimed at physicians.
Meta Description: [ Neurologist keep current with free medical news and daily newsletters. NeurologyLinx and MDLinx aggregates the most current medical journal news and research from premier medical and healthcare journals and news sources. Comprehensive, specialized content updated every day on the web and in email... ]
Neurosciences on the Internet - Searchable index of neurobiology, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, psychology, and cognitive science resources.
Meta Description: [ Neurosciences on the Internet contains a searchable and browsable index of neuroscience resources available on the World Wide Web and other parts of the Internet. Neurobiology, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, psychology, cognitive science sites and information on human neurological diseases... ]
Oregon Nerve Center - Center for research and care for neurological diseases.
Meta Description: [ The Oregon Nerve Center is a leading center for research in the field of neurology. ]
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