Who is a Neurophysiologist? Let's find out!

You've probably heard your doctor say you need to see a 'neurophysiologist'. Or maybe you've heard the name and wondered, "Oh, what kind of doctor is that?" Actually, while it may sound like a complicated word, these people play a very important role. Today, let's talk about who exactly a neurophysiologist is and how they can help your health.

Who is a Neurophysiologist? Simply put...

Simply put, a neuroscientist is a healthcare provider who specializes in the functioning of your nervous system, especially its electrical activity. That means they check to see if your brain, spinal cord (the nerve cord inside your spine), and other nerves are working properly. They can perform a variety of tests to help diagnose conditions that may be related to the nervous system.

Think about it, our body is like a very complex machine. The control center of this machine is the nervous system . Everything you think, everything you feel, everything you do – from waving your hand to the beating of your heart – is controlled by this nervous system. So, a neurophysiologist helps us to see if there is a problem with this system and how it works.

What is the difference between a neurophysiologist and a neurologist?

This is something that confuses many people. A neurophysiologist is a specialist in the field of neurology .

Think of it this way, a neurologist is a doctor who has extensive training in everything related to your nervous system – its normal structure, function, and the conditions that affect it. They are the ones who typically diagnose and treat neurological diseases.

A neurophysiologist is a neurologist who specializes in the *function* of the nervous system, that is, how it works. They perform various tests to measure that function and analyze the test results.

The most important thing is that a neurophysiologist does not usually recommend treatment for neurological diseases. That is done by a neurologist . However, a neurophysiologist can be very helpful in finding out exactly what the disease is, in other words, in giving an accurate diagnosis .

What exactly does a neurophysiologist do?

A neurophysiologist primarily diagnoses and assesses conditions that affect the functioning of your nervous system. They primarily use various tests to record the electrical activity of your nervous system.

There are mainly two types of neurophysiologists:

1. Surgical Neurophysiologists

2. Clinical Neurophysiologists

The roles of both are slightly different. Some neurophysiologists also work more research-oriented.

Surgical Neurophysiologists

As the name suggests, these people are part of the surgical team. They work very closely with surgeons like anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons.

During surgery, this neurophysiologist examines and monitors your nervous system. Depending on the type of surgery being performed, this monitoring can help surgeons reduce the risk of serious complications such as paralysis, hearing loss, or stroke. This is called intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (IONM) .

Some of the surgeries these people are often involved in are:

• Spinal surgery .
• Some types of brain surgery.
• Some ear, nose, and throat surgeries (ENT procedures).
• Peripheral nerve surgery.
• Vascular surgeries, such as Carotid Endarterectomies and Thoracic-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (TAAA).

These are some of the testing and monitoring systems they use during surgery:

• `SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potentials)`: This involves giving a small electrical stimulus to a peripheral nerve in your arm or leg. It then measures how your brain, nervous system, or spinal cord responds to it. It is often used in spinal surgeries, some brain and peripheral nerve surgeries.
• `TCeMEP (Transcranial Electrical Motor Evoked Potentials)`: This test involves applying electrical stimulation to the ``Motor Cortex`` of your brain and recording how your spinal cord or muscles in your limbs respond to it. This is also commonly used in spinal surgeries.
• `BSEP (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials)`: In this, you are made to listen to a sound, usually a "click" through `earphones`, and your brainstem `(Brainstem)` responds to it. This helps to monitor brainstem function and to preserve hearing during surgeries to remove tumors such as `(Acoustic Neuroma)` and brainstem tumors.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): This records the natural electrical activity of the brain. It is used to prevent damage caused by reduced blood supply to the brain (ischemia) during surgeries such as Carotid Endarterectomies and Aneurysm clippings, and to monitor the function and "health" of the cerebral cortex.

Clinical Neurophysiologists

These people work closely with neurologists and neurosurgeons. They evaluate the function of your nervous system and diagnose nerve and neuromuscular conditions. Depending on your condition, these tests may be done on an outpatient basis or while you are in the hospital.

Here are some of the tests used by clinical neurophysiologists:

• EMG (Electromyography): This tests the health and function of your skeletal muscles and the nerves that control them. It can help diagnose a number of diseases, including Peripheral Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): This tests how well your peripheral nerves are working. It can determine if a peripheral nerve has been damaged and how far it has spread. Often, both the EMG and NCS tests are done together.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): This involves attaching small electrodes to your scalp and recording the electrical activity from the cerebral cortex. It is used to diagnose conditions such as seizures and various abnormalities in the central nervous system.
• Evoked Potential Test: These tests measure the electrical activity in different parts of your brain and spinal cord in response to a stimulus. This can show how quickly and completely nerve signals travel to the brain. There are several types of these, such as the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER), Visual Evoked Potential (VEP), and Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP).
• Sleep Study / Polysomnography: This is a continuous recording of how your body's various systems (such as heart, breathing, and brain function) work while you sleep. This is very important for diagnosing sleep disorders.

Does a neurophysiologist go to medical school?

Yes, absolutely! A neurophysiologist is a doctor. They go to medical school to gain this expertise.

How does one become a neurophysiologist?

To become a clinical neurophysiologist, one must complete these educational and training steps:

• You must first complete a four-year pre-medical education from a college or university and obtain a Bachelor's Degree.
• After that, you need to study for four years in medical school and earn either a ``Doctor of Medicine - MD'' or ``Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - DO'' degree.
• You need to complete a one-year internship in general medicine.
• Then, depending on the program, you must complete a residency in a neurology program , which can last up to four years.

Some people, after this residency, go on to fellowship programs to gain more in-depth expertise in a specific area of ​​neurophysiology. For example, they can specialize in areas such as epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, and sleep disorders.

So, if a doctor suspects you have a neurological condition, or if you have already been diagnosed with one, a neurologist may be a member of your healthcare team. They are experts in their field, and they are well-versed in the latest tests that can assess the functioning of your nervous system. Never hesitate to ask your neurologist questions. They are there to help you.

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so let's look at some of the most important things you need to remember from what we've talked about:

• A neurophysiologist is a specialist who studies how your nervous system, which includes your brain, spinal cord, and nerves, works. They perform various tests to help diagnose diseases.
• A neurologist is usually the one who provides treatment, but a neurophysiologist makes a great contribution to accurately diagnosing the disease.
• These people use various specialized tests (e.g., `EEG`, `EMG`, `NCS`, `Evoked Potentials`) to protect the nervous system from damage during surgery and to clinically diagnose neurological diseases.
• If a doctor tells you to see a neurologist, it means they need to take a closer look at how your nervous system works. Don't worry, it can help you get better treatment.
• Feel free to ask your doctor any questions you have, whether about your tests or your condition. You have the right to know everything clearly.

I hope you now have a better understanding of who a neurophysiologist is and what they do. If you have any further questions, be sure to talk to your doctor.

` Neurophysiology, Neurophysiologist, Nervous system, Brain tests, Neurodiagnosis, EEG, EMG, Surgical monitoring