Praveen's Neurology Home Page 
Last updated on 10.27.96 by Praveen Kathpal
Among the major responsibilities of a neurologist are diagnosing and treating diseases of the nervous system. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerve endings that extend throughout the body, through the arms and legs, as well as to organs. Disorders treated include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, carpal-tunnel syndrome, epilepsy, ADD, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, and herniated discs. A neurologist must be licensed to practice by the state in which they work. (more under The Job, Continuing Education) An estimated average salary for a practicing neurologist is around $200,00.
On an average day, a practicing neurologist will consult with new and follow-up patients both in their office and at a hospital. Occasionally, a neurologist may be put “on call”, which means that they should be available at a moment’s notice, should an emergency arise. Otherwise, standard office hours are kept. The job can be described as fairly stressful, but never boring. A neurologist can specialize in pediatric neurology, which covers patients with ages ranging from infants to teens. An adult neurologist, like Dr. Peters, sees patients as young as eight years old, as well as senior citizens. Other doctors that a neurologist would be in contact with are internists, who would recommend patients to the neurologist, and surgeons, to whom a neurologist may recommend a patient. On a day-to-day basis, Dr. Peters administers tests which include the EMG (electromyogram), which tests the responsiveness of nerves to electrical stimuli, and the EEG (electroencephalogram), which records the electrical activity of the brain.
In diagnosing a patient, a neurologist asks about the patients symptoms, and then asks the patient questions to narrow down what the problem may be. It is much like detective work in that the problem is presented, and then the doctor must seek out clues and propose a solution. Strong problem solving skills are definitely an asset. The neurologist has to be alert to what the patient is saying, and the specifics of how the patient describes symptoms. From the answers, the doctor develops a hypothesis as to what the cause of the symptoms is. Other possibilities, known as differential diagnoses, must also be kept in mind. The doctor then proceeds to ask questions and perform tests to figure out exactly what the problem is. For example, if a patient complains of numbness or tingling in the hand, a number of possibilities arise. They include, but are not limited to: carpal-tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, abnormal vitamin B12 levels, a stroke (especially in the elderly), a herniated disk (resulted from a car accident), or even AIDS. As you cans see, there are many possible diagnoses for simple symptoms. Sometimes, the problem can not even be identified, even after extensive tests.
A neurologist must renew his/her license every three years. In order to renew the license, the doctor must prove that they have satisfied a number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. These can be accomplished through various seminars or conferences. By continuing their education, doctors can keep up with new advances and current research in their field. Also helpful are field-specific journals, and the New England Journal of Medicine, to keep up with general internal medicine. For even more information, most hospitals have extensive medical libraries with books and journals.
The best things about being a neurologist begin with coming across a plethora of interesting medical problems in such a wide variety of people. The job is satisfying when you get to see a patient’s condition improve, and when you actually the patient as they improve. The worst part of being a neurologist is dealing with insurance companies, especially with managed care insurance. Often, the insurance company does not pay for what may be the most efficient way to diagnose or treat a patient. If the patient cannot affort the treatment on their own, more cumbersome alternatives must be sought. Other times, insurance companies are just plain difficult to deal with.
If you are interested in a future in neurology, classes which help during high school are biology and chemistry. A premedicine curriculum is helpful in college, but a science major is not imperative. To pursue a career in medicine, specifically in neurology, you have to complete four years of college, three years of medical school, two years of internships, and three years of a residency. Throughout the extensive process, you get a chance to develop a specialty, such as: pediatric neurology, adult neurology, neuropsychology, and neurosurgery, among others. A very strong neurology program can be found at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.
If you are interested in neurology as a career, the most useful step in helping you to decide could be following a doctor for a day, to understand what the job entails on a daily basis. Important skills include a strong background in the sciences, an inquisitive mind, good problem solving, and interacting well with people.
There is always new research being conducted in the field of neurology. Much of the new research concerns neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transfer signals across the synapse, a space between nerve endings on neurons, which make up the nervous system. The chemicals help signals pass from one neuron to the next, through the nervous system. Other new research involves such genetically transferred disorders as Alzheimer’s disease. Research centers in hospitals, universities, and private laboratories around the country and the world are conducting medical research on the brain and the nervous system.
Neurology Letter, Nancy Floldvary, D.O., http://www.careermd.com/articles/yne.htm
Yale University School of Medicine, Stephen G. Waxman, M.D., Ph.D., http://www.careermd.com/profiles/nect001.htm
Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Bookshelf '94
Interview: Suzanne Casana, Nurse Practitioner at the office of Dr. Jon Peters, (703) 478-0440