A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. Pediatric neurologists are doctors with specialezed training in children's neurological disorders. A neurologist's educational background and medical training includes an undergraduate degree, four years of medical shcool, a one-year internship and possibly additional years of training in internal medicine, and at least three more years of specialized training in the field of neurology. Many neurologists also have additional training in one area of neurology such as stroke, epilepsy or movement disorders.
Neurologists are principal care providers or consultants to other physicians.
When a person has a neurologic disorder that requires frequent care, a neurologist is often the principal care provider. Patients with disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis may use a neurologist as their principal care physician. In a consulting role, a neurologist will diagnosis and treat a neurological disorder and then advise the primary care physician managing the person's overall health. For example, a neurologist would act in a consulting role for conditions such as stroke, consussion or headache. Neurologists can recommend surgical treatment, but do not perform surgery.