Neurology is the branch of medicine whose work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to a malfunctioning nervous system.

Therefore, neurologists, that is, specialists in the field of neurology, are responsible for the study and intervention in diseases and disorders of the brain, the nervous system, both central and peripheral, and the blood vessels that supply these parts. The affectations on these parts imply problems of diverse type, for this reason, within the field of the neurology several specializations exist.

Types of Neurologists (and what diseases they treat)

There are neurologists who specialize in everything to do with brain blood vessels. Others focus their work on treating problems associated with the developmental stage, whether in childhood or in old age.
The truth is that there are several types of neurologists , which we will see in more detail below.

1. Clinical neurophysiologists

This type of professional is basically responsible for detecting nervous disorders, because there is some kind of problem that prevents nerve signals from reaching the brain and being interpreted there.

Clinical neurophysiologists are responsible for assessing the neurological functions of patients and, based on this, diagnosing whether deficits occur in this area.

For this purpose they use devices that allow the monitoring of nerve impulses . Some of the techniques they use are electroencephalograms (EEG), evoked potentials, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity tests.

2. Vascular neurologists

Some neurological problems are due to problems in the brain’s circulation, such as strokes and aneurysms.

Vascular neurologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating neurological problems due to incorrect blood flow in the brain .

To do this, they use advanced neuroimaging techniques from radiology laboratories, as well as tiny cameras that they insert into blood vessels to see the lesion in question more accurately.

3. Pain management and palliative care

People who suffer from some kind of neurological problem may be suffering from chronic pain, which gets worse over time, in addition to having an effect on both physical and mental capacities. Usually, pain due to an organic cause is usually cured by intervening directly on it, but in the case of neuropathic pain, where the pain is due to a malfunctioning of the nervous system, this is more complicated.

Some neurologists are specialized in helping the patient to manage his pain, providing him with pharmacological treatments in order to reduce it .

In the case of patients whose illness is terminal, there are neurologists whose task is focused on making the patient’s last moments of life less painful.

4. Neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular neurologists

There are medical conditions in which the patient’s long-term development is affected . To give some examples, these would be Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, which are not curable.

That is why people with these types of problems require lifelong treatment. Neurologists can help patients to make the most of their potential, contributing to a greater degree of independence and autonomy.

In the case of problems with neuromuscular affectation, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, where motor capacities are progressively lost, there is also no cure.

Neurologists specializing in this type of disorder can help to delay the progression of these diseases, making it take longer for the patient’s standard of living to be severely reduced .

5. Pediatric Neurologists

Although the nervous system in children is similar to that of adults, it is not yet well formed. In addition, children need to perfect some skills and for that they need the right stimuli.

Pediatric neurologists specialize in techniques focused on helping children develop normally in the most satisfactory way possible , as well as detecting any needs that may arise.

Usually, the work of pediatric neurologists overlaps that of neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular neurologists, since the disorders most commonly detected in children often affect their development and mobility.

6. Geriatric neurologists

These professionals are in charge of diagnosing, treating and caring for elderly people who suffer from some kind of neurological problem . They also specialize in how the central nervous system ages and how age is a risk factor for developing neurological problems.

Some of the most common neurological conditions in older people are dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and gait disorders. They also specialize in knowing how to treat these problems through the pharmacological route.

Like pediatric neurologists, geriatric neurologists focus on aspects that overlap with other types of specialists in the field of neurology, such as behavioral neurologists.

Given the changes in the population pyramid, this branch of neurology has become increasingly in demand , especially for people born between 1945 and 1965.

7. Autonomic neurologists

These types of neurologists focus on symptoms that are due to problems in the autonomic system. Some diseases affect the autonomic system , such as Adie’s syndrome, autonomic autoimmune neuropathy, hyperhidrosis, Shy-Drager syndrome, postural tachycardia and some types of diabetes.

Most of the autonomic symptoms present in these diseases are heart rhythm problems, involuntary movements when breathing and swallowing, and changes in the diameter of the blood vessels.

Neurologists specializing in this type of problem must have in-depth knowledge of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system , in addition to knowing what forms of evaluation of this type of problem are and what treatments are most appropriate for each case.

8. Behavioral Neurologists

As the name suggests, these neurologists focus on how to diagnose, treat and monitor patients who, when suffering some kind of neurological injury, present pathological behaviour patterns . In addition, they deal with patients who present problems in memory, language, attention and emotions.

These types of neurologists must know how injuries to the brain and other parts of the nervous system negatively affect areas of the person, such as cognition, behavior, emotionality, and basic neurological functions.

In most cases, they treat disorders such as dyslexia, amnesia, dementia and mental disorders such as psychotic disorders . Another well known area where these neurologists intervene is in cases where there has been an injury due to a head trauma.

Bibliographic references:

  • Beaumont, J. G. (1983). Introduction to Neuropsychology. Guilford.
  • Rains, G. D. (2003). Principles of Human Neuropsychology, Boston: McGraw Hill.