What Is a Neurologist?

By Kent Ninomiya, eHow Contributor

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the study, diagnosis

and treatment of injury and diseases of the nervous system. This
includes the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves throughout the body.
Since the nervous system is essential to every bodily function, neurology
is a vast area of study. Neurologists usually specialize in just few aspects
of neurology.
Identification
A neurologist helps identify the source of problems with a patient's
nervous system. This can be an inability to use the senses correctly.
Loss of sight, hearing, smell, taste and the sensation of touch are
often linked to neurological disorders. The inability to perform
normal motor functions are also symptoms of problems with the
nervous system. Neurologists examine issues with balance, reflexes
and muscle strength. They also try to identify the source of
disorders of the brain such as loss of memory, speech and abstract
thought.
Types
Neurologists study many types of disorders. These include difficulty
functioning following a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, sleep
disorders and chronic pain due to conditions like migraines. They
also focus on neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Brain surgeons are
neurologists who perform procedures to remove brain tumors,
spinal cord lesions and repair nerves.
Considerations
Neurologists conduct many tests on patients in order to make a diagnosis
and recommend an appropriate treatment. These tests include
scans like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed axial
tomography (CAT scan). Neurologists also perform lumbar
punctures (spinal taps) to examine the cerebrospinal fluid that
coats the brain and spinal cord. Electrical activity is studied with an
electroencephalography (EEG) of the brain or an electromyography
(EMG) of the muscles.
Significance
There is a significant amount of training required to become a board
certified neurologist. They must complete four years of
undergraduate college education, four years of medical school, a
 one year internship and three years as a neurology resident. This is
12 years of higher education before they can start practicing
neurology. Once this is complete, neurologists focus on a sub
specialty of neurology by engaging in fellowship programs to gain
experience.

Prevention/Solution
Neurologists sometimes work with psychiatrists to solve neurological
problems, devise solutions and prevent future problems. Neurology
examines the physical functioning of the nervous system while
psychiatry focuses on behavior. Many neurologists belong to the
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The
organization helps the two fields of study work together. The ABPN
offers additional certification in sub specialties such as child
psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.

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How to Become a Neurologist
By an eHow Contributor

A neurologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diseases and

disorders of the nervous system. This includes the testing, diagnosis and
treatment of problems with the spinal cord, muscles and brain. A
neurologist performs CAT scans, EEGs, MRIs and a host of other
diagnostic tests. Becoming a neurologist is a lengthy process that takes
more than a decade.
Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

1Enroll in the best college that admits you, and major in premedicine or
another science-based major. Complete your 4-year degree. Get the
best grades possible so you can parlay your grades and the
reputation of your college into a medical school acceptance.
2Attend medical school. Graduate after 4 years with an acceptable grade
point average to attain a desirable internship.
3Spend 1 year in an internship. Study in your off hours to keep up with
the latest developments in the field. Choose an internship in
medicine and surgery or in internal medicine. Seek a residency
program.
4Complete a medical residency in neurology. Apply for a fellowship, if you
desire more specific training in your field. Complete a short
fellowship, or remain in a fellowship for decades.
5Test for certification to become a board-certified doctor in neurology.
Make sure you already have an unrestricted license to practice
medicine in your state and have adhered to all accepted medical
ethics practices.
6Apply to the American Board of Medicinal Specialties and take its oral
and written tests. Pass the tests with an acceptable grade on each
test.
7Set up your neurology practice, or join with other doctors in a
partnership. Now you are a doctor who specializes in neurology-a
 neurologist.

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What Courses Do You Take to

Become a Neurologist?
By Nicaela Crawford, eHow Contributor
updated: July 18, 2010

Neurologists give special tests, such as MRIs, to diagnose health conditions.

Neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating medical
conditions of the nervous system. They must complete
rigorous educational requirements, including four years of
undergraduate work, four years of medical school and four
years of internship and residency. However, this hard work will
eventually pay off: As of July 2010, neurologists make an
average annual salary that ranges from $123,306 to $222,768,
according to PayScale.com.
Science Courses
Prospective neurologists should be prepared to take a variety of
science courses. The University of Rochester's undergraduate
neurology program requires students to complete courses in
biology, chemistry and physics, as well as more specialized
neuroscience courses. Some neurologists with additional
interests in psychology or psychiatry take courses in these
areas, although they are not usually required.
Mathematics Courses
These strenuous science programs require training in higher
mathematics. Math courses develop strong cognitive reasoning
skills. The University of Rochester requires thorough training in
calculus, as well as courses in statistical analysis.
Specialized Courses
Once general coursework is complete, neurology students begin
more specialized studies. At the undergraduate level, sample
courses include systems neuroscience, behavioral
neuroscience, neurobiology, genetics, computational
neuroscience and theoretical neuroscience. At Harvard
University, graduate students take courses such as molecular
neurobiology, developmental neurobiology and neurobiology of
disease.
Research Courses
Prospective neurologists should be prepared to fulfill rigorous
research requirements, particularly at the graduate level.
Research courses and seminars equip students with the skills
to conduct scientific, objective research on a specific topic.

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How Many Years Do You Need to

Become a Neurologist?
By Chris Sherwood, eHow Contributor

Introduction
A neurologist is a medical specialist who works in the field of neurology,
or the study of the nervous system. Neurologists diagnoses neural
disease and disorders in hospitals and clinics throughout the world.
They use complex machinery such as MRIs, EEGs and CAT scans to
determine abnormalities of the spine, brain, nerves and muscles,
and then make patient treatment plans to address and cure the
problems. With so much complex information involved in the field of
practice, the field of neurology requires a substantial amount of
years of schooling and experience before a doctor can enter the
workforce.
Years 1-4
The first 4 years of becoming a neurologist consists of undergraduate
work. This can be done at any four year college or university. Most
neurology candidates choose pre-medicine or biology majors to
increase their chances of getting into medical school.
Years 5-8
The next 4 years of becoming a neurologist consist of medical school.
Medical school is an intense educational experience that consists of
in-depth classes and hands on experience in each of the different
facets of general medicine. This can range from general anatomy
and physiology, to specific classes such as pathology, immunology,
bio-ethics and pediatrics.
Year 9
After graduation from medical school, a residency in a hospital is required
to use the skills that you have learned in medical school. The first
year of this residency is usually spent in general medicine.
Years 10-12
After a year in general medicine residency, a doctor can choose to move
to a residency that specializes in neurology. This residency will
continue for another 3 years. After the residency has been
completed, the doctor can sit for the American Board of Medical
Specialties exam. However, some doctors choose to stay in the
residency for an additional 1 or 2 years. This brings the full amount
of time needed to become a neurologist to at least 12 years. But it
can sometimes take as much as 14 years to become a neurologist.

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Annual Salary for a Neurologist

By Kat Consador, eHow Contributor
updated: May 11, 2010

A neurologist is a physician who diagnoses, treats and prevents diseases

and disorders within the nervous system. Like other physicians and
surgeons, a neurologist spends years studying and training. Becoming a
neurologist requires following the same educational path as other
physicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a
neurologist requires a bachelor's degree, four years of medical school
and fives years of residency. A neurologist must be self-motivated,
compassionate and decisive.
National Salary
According to the 2009 American Medical Group Association (AMGA)
Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey, the national
 median salary for a neurologist was $236,500.
Starting Salary
The 2009 AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey
revealed that the starting salary for a neurologist was $182,151.
Experience
According to Allied Physicians, an organization promoting health care
excellence and education, a neurologist with one to two years of
experience earned $180,000 in June 2006. In the same salary
survey, a neurologist with more than three years of experience
earned $228,000. The survey found that the maximum a
neurologist earned was approximately $345,000.
Regional Salary
According to the 2009 AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial
Survey, a neurologist's earnings varied by region. A neurologist in
the eastern United States earned $217,146, while her counterpart
in the western United States earned $248,040. A neurologist
working in the southern region earned $235,549, and a neurologist
who practiced in the northern region earned $236,500.
Subspecialties
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC),
neurology subspecialties include clinical neurophysiology, hospice
and palliative medicine, neurodevelopmental disabilities,
neuromuscular medicine, pain medicine, sleep medicine and
vascular neurology. Certification in any of the subspecialties can
take one to three years of training in addition to the residency
training program. According to the 2009 AMGA Medical Group
Compensation and Financial Survey, pediatric neurologists earned a
median salary of $209,955 and neurological surgery specialists
earned $548,186.

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