Health Care Providers: Neurologists

What Is Neurology?

Neurology (nur-OL-uh-jee) is the medical specialty that takes care of diseases and problems of the brain and nervous system.

What Is a Neurologist?

A neurologist (nur-OL-uh-jist) is a doctor who studies, diagnoses, and treats diseases and conditions that affect the brain and nervous system.

Why Would Someone Need One?

Neurologists diagnose and treat problems such as:

• developmental delays
• headaches and migraines
• muscle and nerve disorders
• sleep disorders
• epilepsy and seizures
• hypotonia (muscle weakness caused by neurological problems)
• ataxias (lack of muscle control)
• strokes
• cerebral palsy

They do medical tests and procedures such as:

• spinal taps (lumbar punctures)
• EEGs (electroencephalogram)
• EMGs (electromyography)
• sleep studies (polysomnography)

What Is Their Training?

A neurologist's training typically includes:

• 4 years of pre-medical education at a college or university
• 4 years of medical school — a medical degree (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree
• 4 years of neurology residency

They also might do a fellowship in a subspecialty area (for example, pediatric neurology). A “fellow” is a doctor who had more specialty training after completing medical school and residency training.

Good to Know

Neurology and neurosurgery are closely related:

• Neurologists focus on neurological conditions that can be treated with medicines or therapies.
• Neurosurgeons do surgery when needed to treat the conditions.