Neurology is the branch of medicine responsible for the study and treatment of diseases that affect the nervous system. The nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, optic nerve) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves, muscles, sensory receptors in the skin, and special senses (hearing, balance, and taste).
Neurologists are physicians who have trained in general medicine and specialised further in neurology. Neurologists treat disorders such as:
- Cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke
- Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis
- Headache and migraine
- Infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system
- Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor
- Disorders of the peripheral nerve, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and peripheral neuropathy
- Muscle diseases, such as muscular dystrophy or inflammatory myopathy
- Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body dementia
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Speech and language disorders
Neurologists do not perform surgery. If a patient requires surgery, referral to the appropriate specialty will be offered.
All physician training is overseen by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). For more information about what Neurologists do, visit the Australia and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN).
Dr Cullen O’Gorman is a Fellow of the RACP, and a member of ANZAN. He is also a member of the AAN and the AANEM.