Clinical Neurophysiology

Clinical Neurophysiology is a branch of medical science that deals with the physiology of the nervous system and its associated disorders. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that encompasses neuroscience, neurology, and psychiatry, involving the study of brain function, the spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system and the electrical activity of muscle cells. Neurophysiology is an important tool in understanding the mechanisms of various neurological conditions, as well as the development and maintenance of health. Clinical Neurophysiology is based on studies of electrical potentials produced by neurons within the human body. Neurophysiologists measure electrical activity within the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems. To understand these electrical potentials, recordings such as the electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and electrocardiogram (ECG) are conducted. EEGs are used to measure neuronal firing in the brain, which helps to identify abnormalities in brain activity such as seizures or coma. EMGs are used to measure electrical activity in the muscles, which can be used to diagnose diseases of the neuromuscular junction, such as myasthenia gravis. ECGs are used to measure the electrical activity of the heart, allowing cardiologists to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias. In addition to the above recordings, neurophysiologists also use evoked potentials to evaluate the functional status of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Evoked potentials measure the latency of nerve signals and can indicate neural changes related to a wide variety of neurological disorders. Clinical Neurophysiology is used to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases and conditions, ranging from stroke to Alzheimer’s disease, and from Parkinson’s disease to epilepsy. It is also used to study the effects of physical rehabilitation and pharmacological therapies on the nervous system.