A neurologist is a medical specialist who treats diseases of the nervous system. Examples include common disorders such as migraine, epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson's disease, and less common disorders such as multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, and muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophies.

Neurologists complete primary medical school qualifications (MBChB in NZ, or MD in United States/Europe) . This is followed by specialist training in NZ or overseas, after which they are registered as specialist physicians with the Medical Council of NZ, and in most cases, also with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Most neurologists will have completed training for up to 14-15 years following graduation from secondary school, sometimes longer.

For more information about the qualifications of your neurologist (or any physician), you may wish to visit the Medical Council website here

For an interesting interview of a famous Boston neurologist. Dr. Allan Ropper, by Kim Hill on Radio NZ National on Feb 21st 2015, visit here

For more information on diseases of the nervous system, visit here

For more information on research funded by the Neurological Foundation of NZ, visit here