Clinical neurophysiology

For the journal, see Clinical Neurophysiology (journal).

Clinical neurophysiology is a medical specialty that studies the central and peripheral nervous systems through the recording of bioelectrical activity, whether spontaneous or stimulated.

In some countries it is a part of neurology or psychiatry, for example the United States [1] and Germany. In others it is an autonomous specialty, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The major diagnostic modalities employed include:

• Electromyography and nerve conduction studies: Diagnostic tests of the peripheral nervous system, especially useful in evaluating diseases of the muscles, nerves, and nerve roots
• Electroencephalography: Diagnostic test of thalamocortical rhythms (brain waves), useful in evaluating seizures and various abnormalities of the central nervous system
• Evoked potentials: Diagnostic test evaluating specific tracts of the central and peripheral nervous system. May include visual, auditory, or somatosensory evoked potentials.
• Polysomnography: A type of sleep study employed to diagnose disorders associated with abnormal sleep behavior
• Intraoperative monitoring, Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring:

Clinical neurophysiology in the United States The pathway to becoming a clinical neurophysiologist in the US includes completing an undergraduate degree, medical school, and postgraduate medical education, usually in neurology. Following the completion of an accredited residency program, clinicians may choose to enter a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology. Programs may expose their fellows to the broad spectrum of electrodiagnostic neurophysiologic studies, or may focus on a single area such as EEG or EMG. Clinical Neurophysiology fellowships are generally 1-2 years in duration and may lead to board certification in one or more subspecialty areas.

External links

• American Academy of Neurology
• American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Initial Qualification in the Subspecialty of Clinical Neurophysiology, from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Neuromuscular disease center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
• Cleveland Clinic Online Medical Reference
• ILAE Task Force on Classification
• Tele EMG
• EMG The Expert
• Neurofisiologia Universidad de Montevideo
• Accredited Educational Program for Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist
• Perineuro, web de Neurofisiología Clínica
• Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, web del Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica

Organizations for clinical neurophysiology

• International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
• American Academy of Clinical Neurophysiology
• British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
• Norwegian Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
• Dutch Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
• Italian Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
• Mexican Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
• Sociedad Española de Neurofisiología Clínica
• American Academy of Neurology
• Czech Society for Clinical Neurophysiology