A neurologist
is a medical doctor or osteopath who has trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain
and spinal cord.
Neurologists perform neurological examinations of the nerves of the
head and neck; muscle strength and movement; balance, ambulation, and
reflexes; and sensation, memory, speech, language, and other cognitive
abilities.
They also may refer for diagnostic tests such as the following:
- CAT (computed axial tomography) scan
- MRI/MRA (magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance
angiography)
- lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- EEG (electroencephalography)
- EMG/NCV (electromyography/nerve conduction velocity)