Careers in Neurology

NEUROLOGY IS A MEDICAL SPECIALTY that deals with disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Because the brain acts as the control center for the entire body, neural problems may affect body parts. For example, multiple sclerosis can affect numerous parts of the body including eyes, skin, and leg or arm muscles. Neurology is such a vast field that most neurologists devote their practice to a particular subspecialty like pediatrics, head trauma, brain cancer, or seizure disorders such as epilepsy, or speech disorders. Neurosurgery is also a subspecialty. Neurosurgeons, commonly known as brain surgeons, operate on the nervous system, but typically do not follow up with long-term care. Neurology is considered a frontier field of medicine. There is much more to be learned about the human brain and that is where neuroscientists come in. Neuroscientists research anything related to the nervous system to learn more about how it works and what causes neurological disorders. It is a scientific discipline that is uncovering new secrets of the brain every day. As the neuroscientists discover new ways to diagnose and treat health problems, neurologists are able to offer more hope to the millions of Americans who suffer from nervous system disorders.