Fascinating Knowledge: III

Neurology: Entrance to the Human Brain

Definition of Neurology: the medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue, such as muscle.
A Neurologist: A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders. Pediatric neurologists treat neurological disease in children. Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research, clinical trials, as well as basic research and translational research.


My chosen career is that of a Neurologist. Neurologists first appeared in North Africa in Egyptian studies. They recognized seizures, migraine,  bell palsy, tetanus, dementia, stroke, and the sequelae of head injuries and spinal transection. About 5000 years ago, there were Egyptian physicians who specialized in the care of head diseases and can, therefore, be considered the precursors of today's neurologists.  In southwestern Nigeria, they had native physicians who diagnosed several neurological diseases and were brilliant psychotherapists. Although Neuroscience practices have been around for centuries, it wasn’t until around the World War I era that Neurology was seen as a disciplinary medical profession.

The Electro- Therapeutic Society founded in New York, 1873, turned into the Society of Neurology and Electrology. Later, the American Neurological Association in 1875 would become the first society of Neurology in the world. With the formation of these organizations, Neurology broadened as a medical research and was recognized as a specialty. However, it was until the late 1990's when Neurologists started to truly understand the brain. This has led to remarkable studies and life-saving diagnoses. Neurologists can now predict the damage that Alzhemier’s disease will cause on the brain and how long it will take to deteriorate. It is also been proven possible to perform hemispherectomy (when half of the brain is removed to slow or eliminate seizures/epilepsy) with a high chance of recovery in young children and a normal life expectancy.