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Neurology is the study of nerves. The science of medicine behind the functioning and treatment of disorders related to the nervous system comes under neurology. Physiological functions of the human body like sleeping, consciousness, sensitivity, waking up, behaviour, etc. are all controlled by the nerves. The nervous system is a complex system and neurology revolves all-around this sophisticated system.
Doctor of Medicine (Neurology) is a specialization in the field of medicine and one can go for it after completing the pre-medical education. It is a post-doctorate speciality degree in which one goes through rigorous training. A doctor who completes the D.M. (Neurology) course is called a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor who is specialized in treating the illnesses of the nervous system.
Also, check - How to Become a Neurologist
Neurologists are experts in neurology and hence they can identify the symptoms which imply a neurological disorder and then treat the cause of those symptoms. The alarming symptoms include:
Dizziness
Frequent and persistent headaches or heavy-headedness
Numbness or muscle weakness
Reduced alertness or coordination
Pain in nerves
Seizures/strokes
Difficulty in sleeping, reading, writing
Loss of sensation (partial or complete; eyesight, touch, smell etc.)
Paralysis (partial or complete)
Neurologists treat patients with neurological diseases. There are several neurological disorders which are discussed later in this article under the section ‘Course Subjects’.
To become or practice as a neurologist, the following is required:
Completing 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) and then cracking entrance exam for getting admission into UG program
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree from a reputed college or university
M.D. (Medicine or Pediatrics) or equivalent DNB course of 2 years with 50% marks in MBBS at least and good entrance exam score
Doctor of Medicine (Neurology) specialization of 3 years
One-year internship
Speciality training (neurology) in a residency program
Further specialization under neurology (optional)
To become a neurosurgeon, all the above-mentioned requirements are valid with and additional training of surgery.
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The entrance exams for UG programs (MBBS) are as follows:
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- NEET is a common entrance exam for 12th pass students to be eligible for admissions in the undergraduate medical course, i.e. MBBS. The exams consist of questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology in MCQ form. All India Ranks, scores, and cut-offs are released based on which different universities decide the eligibility for admissions of candidates.
AIIMS MBBS Exam- This exam is separately conducted for admissions only in the 13 premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) all over India.
Similarly, the entrance exams for PG programs (M.D.) and Post-doctorate programs (D.M.) are as follows:
NEET PG, NEET SS- Common entrance test for M.D. (Medicine) and D.M. (Doctor of Medicine) courses for doctors who have attained their MBBS degrees.
DNB PDCET- Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a PG course and PDCET is the entrance exam for getting admission into the course by National Board of Examinations (NBE).
AIIMS PG, SS- It is conducted by AIIMS for admission in any of the 13 AIIMS in India.
JIPMER PG- Conducted by Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research for PG medical courses.
PGIMER- Conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh for PG Programs. For PG and above programs, group discussions and interviews are also conducted.
There are other university-specific or college-specific entrance exams conducted by medical colleges about which you will be informed through their websites and social media handles.
As the number of patients goes up each year, the scope of neurology is also increasing. With more and more new hospitals being built (both private and government) and advanced technologies coming in, the neurologists are in high demand. Research is also being carried out on a larger scale now, as compared to earlier times.
As a result, there are many opportunities out there. Today, people’s lifestyle is such that they are becoming more prone to neurological illnesses and hence, people need neurologists more than ever now.
Even abroad, there are options for building a career. Research centres, hospitals, healthcare centres – all require neurosurgeons and neurologists. Countries like the US, UK, etc. are great contributors in the field of neurology. Thus, they have plenty of opportunities to offer from time to time.
Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
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Private | Government | Private | Government | |
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PG | ||||
DOCTORAL | ||||
DIPLOMA |
Few of the subjects under D.M. (Neurology) include the following:
Neuro Anatomy
Neuro-ophthalmology
Pediatric Neurology
Neuroradiology
Neurophysiology
Neuro Biochemistry
Neuropathology
Neuropsychiatry
Neuro Pharmacology
The focus of the course is on educating the doctors about types of neurological disorders and how to identify them. After that, neurological procedures and technologies used are practised by the budding neurologists.
In neurology, we encounter a wide variety of disorders. The common neurological disorders are:
Alzheimer’s Disease- It is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease affects brain function and as a consequence, neurotransmitters are attacked. It also affects the memory to a great extent.
Bell’s Palsy- It refers to the paralysis or weakening of one side of the face. This is seen suddenly due to inflammation or destruction of facial tissues. Other symptoms may include headaches, pain, difficulty eating or drinking, etc. However, it is mostly temporary. Oral steroids or antiviral medicine is prescribed for this disorder.
Cerebral Palsy- Damage of the nervous system during pregnancy or after birth causes this disorder. The control over muscles is lost and hence, the movements, postures and vision are affected by Cerebral Palsy.
Headaches – Cluster Headaches and Migraines- Migraine is the most common disorder seen in people nowadays. Increasing levels of stress and screen time lead to severe headaches which turn into conditions like migraines and cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are shorter in duration, least common headache found in people, but are periodic. Migraine is a condition of severe pain in the head which feels like throbbing.
Parkinson’s Disease- It is caused by the damage of the neurons which are responsible for creating dopamine, also known as the happiness hormone. Dopamine is responsible for maintaining the smooth movement of muscles.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include a problem in balancing, tremors, rigidity, etc. This disorder also causes depression (because of lack of dopamine), pain, sleep issues and memory issues.
Motor Neuron Disease (MND)- This disorder affects motor neurons, i.e. the nerves responsible for movement. Eventually, the muscles get weaker and weaker, day by day. The result is paralysis. Initially, patients experience weakness in body parts like shoulders, legs, hands, etc. After some time, the movement is restricted to a great extent.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)- Multiple Sclerosis destroys myelin which keeps the nervous system together. As a result, scars are visible and the body becomes incapable of sending signals properly. It is an autoimmune disease. Symptoms include tiredness, sensitivity to heat, concentration problems, balancing problems, and others.
Epilepsy- Epilepsy symptoms include repetitive seizures. It is a range of conditions affecting the brain for long-term and causing seizures back to back. Unusual behaviours, loss of consciousness are few symptoms.
Neurofibromatosis- The growth of benign (non-cancerous) tumours leads to the disorder called Neurofibromatosis. In this disease, brown-coloured skin patches and blurred vision are experienced and it is generally diagnosed in childhood itself. However, it is not curable but is certainly manageable.
Sciatica- Sciatica includes pain in the sciatic nerve, a nerve starting from the lower spine extending to the foot through the backside of the leg. The pain is experienced in the back and legs.
All the neurological disorders are diagnosed with the help of a range of tests. According to the examination of these tests, a neurologist determines the course of treatment. In the specialization degree, you will be trained as to how to determine the selection of tests for the symptoms followed by the treatment or medication prescribed.
There are several procedures involved in the treatment of neurological disorders, which are observed and practised by aspiring neurologists during the specialization course. Some of them are listed below:
Lumbar puncture- A lumbar puncture is used by neurologists to collect a sample of spinal fluid. This procedure helps diagnose leukaemia, dementia, meningitis, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), etc. Lumbar punctures are used for treating neurological cancer, spinal cord related problems, and injecting antibiotics and anaesthetics as well.
Tests- To diagnose a neurological disorder, some tests which prove helpful are:
Imaging tests like MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan, Ultrasound
Lab tests (collecting blood and urine samples)
Biopsy
Angiography
Tensilon Test: It is a blood test used to diagnose myasthenia gravis which is a rare neuromuscular disease.
Electroencephalogram- Electroencephalograms (EEG) are used to monitor brain activity. The electrical activity of the brain is measured and recorded; along with that, the electrical impulses by neurons are detected by EEG. In this procedure, electrodes are placed on a person’s head and the electrical signals from the brain are converted into patterns which the technician examines. Unusual brain activity tells about the kind of neurological disorder. The disorders which can be identified using EEG are epilepsy, brain tumours, etc.
Deep brain stimulation- Deep brain stimulation is used for treating movement disorders like essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc. It is similar to EEG.
Concussion testing- Concussion testing is used to examine the brain’s health after head trauma or injury. The before and after images are assessed and diagnosed through either asking questions or by computer.
After the diagnosis and examination by the neurologist, the patients are prescribed medicines and treatment accordingly and surgery is suggested if required.
Further, neurologists can also specialize in a particular domain of neurology. Subspecialties in neurology include:
Headache medicine – for migraines and other headaches
Neuromuscular medicine – for muscle-related issues
Sleep medicine – for sleep disorders
Movement disorders
Geriatric neurology
Autonomic disorders
Clinical neurophysiology
Vascular – for strokes
Interventional neuroradiology
Epilepsy
Child neurology
Neuro-oncology
Neuro-critical care
After completing your education in the neurology field, you can either practice as a specialist, physician, surgeon, etc. based upon your qualification or choose for other options like going into research and teaching domains. A neurology lecturer or assistant professor in institutes like AIIMS is a good option to consider.
Technology plays a major role in every industry and service in today’s time. Few of the new technologies used in neurology are:
Hand-held Vagus Nerve Stimulator used for treating periodic cluster headache
Magnetic Nanodiscs
an FDA-authorized on-site portable CT Scanner
Neuro-surgery tracking system
TMS therapy system to treat depression
Rehabilitation assist robot for stroke patients
View complete list of neurology certification courses
Listed below are some job profiles in neurology and their responsibilities.
Job Profiles | Responsibilities |
A neurologist is responsible for identifying the symptoms and neurological disorder associated with them through examination using a range of tests. | |
Neurosurgeon | Responsible for carrying out the surgeries for treating neurological injuries or disorders. |
Researcher | Responsible for conducting research for the development in medicine and practices of neurology. |
Responsible for teaching neurology to aspirants in UG and PG courses. | |
Consultant | A consultant is responsible for giving neurological health guidance, recommends the correct course of treatment and provides prevention measures. |
Neurology Top Recruiters
The top recruiters for neurologists are:
AIIMS
Max Healthcare Institute Ltd
Medanta Hospital
Apollo Super Specialty
GMC
Narayana Hrudayalaya Health City
Indo American Hospital
The job areas most likely to demand neurologists are:
Hospitals - Government and Private
Healthcare Centers
Neuro Centers
Clinics
Rehabilitation Centers
Research Centers
Academics (Professors and Lecturers)
Popular Online Medicine Courses and Certifications
The average salary of a practising neurologist in India is reported to be around Rs. 18 lakhs. The following are only for reference and the actual salaries may differ. The table below shows the average salary in some of the subspecialties of neurology:
Subspecialty | Average Salary (Per year in Rs.) |
Brain Surgeon | Rs. 22 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Neurophysiology | Rs. 17 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Neurologist | Rs 3-4 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Neurosurgeon | Rs 10-15 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Researcher | Rs 6-7 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Lecturer | Rs 5-12 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Consultant | Rs 3-3.5 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Good communication skills for building effective and healthy relationships with the colleagues, staff and patients in the medical environment.
Good knowledge of the medical subjects included in the course should be practically understood well.
Teamwork is a very important factor in a medical environment for ensuring patient care.
High emotional intelligence, good leadership skills and problem-solving skills.
The process of becoming a neurologist is quite a long one. The MBBS course is of nearly five years. The M.D. (Medicine) course is for two years. The DM (Neurology) course is of three years. Apart from this, you also need to do an internship for practical experience.
The D.M. includes residency program training wherein practical training is involved. Further surgery training is conducted for aspiring neurosurgeons.
Answer :
Aspirants can complete a PhD in two years after completing DM (Neurology), provided they score at least 60% in DM.
Answer :
Yes, provided that the MD degree is from an Indian University with six months of a residency program in General Medicine.
Answer :
Neurology involves the science of medicine which largely deals with the functioning of the brain. The brain is so vast, fascinating and complex that studies are still being carried on to explore more about it. Also, neurological tests need to be examined thoroughly as they do not give a black-and-white result. The disorder is identified after examining the procedures and tests before concluding. All these things make neurology unique and interesting.
Answer :
DNB is the equivalent of MD in India. But the difference lies in the fact that DNB holders have a better chance in academics and MD holders have more opportunities at the practising level.
Answer :
No, a neurosurgeon is different from a neurologist. However, both are dealing with the people who have disorders of the nervous system, but at different levels, and in different ways. Neurologists do not perform surgeries, while neurosurgeons do. Both of them have to pass medical school and go through special training in neurology with a neurology residency program. However, neurosurgeons further participate in surgical procedures and get trained to perform surgery. A patient first consults a neurologist who examines the condition and prescribes necessary treatment. If surgery is required, then the neurologist recommends the patient to consult a neurosurgeon.
Dear Aspirant!
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I would say, pick neurology, as there are fewer neurologists than cardiologists . However, the burden of neurological diseases is increasing.It would also depend on which subject you like more.As doctors, both cardiologists and neurologists are important for treating diseases of their specialities.
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Hello Student,
Becoming a neurosurgeon is a very time taking process and takes a lot of efforts and patience. This includes four years for a bachelor's degree, another four years for a doctorate, followed by a one-year internship in surgery.
Candidates aspiring to become Neurosurgeon must possess a 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 2- 3 years M.S. (Neurosurgery) - must qualification to become a Neurosurgeon. Interested candidates can also go for M.Ch (Neurosurgery) for super specialization in the field of Neurosurgery.
Hope this helps you.
Hello,
You haven't mentioned the name of the college for which you're seeking information if it has neurology department or nor, you can write down the details in the comment box below, else you can check out the details by visiting the official website of the concerned college,
nevertheless some of the colleges offering neurology courses are mentioned below-
AIIMS, New Delhi offers DM Neurology,
CMC Vellore offers DM Neurology
St Johns Medical College, Bangalore offers DM Neurology
KMC Manipal offers DM Neurology
AFMC, Pune offers MCh Neurology
IMS BHU offers DM Neurology
Visit our page at https://medicine.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-neurology-colleges-in-india to know more details regarding this.
Hello,
Firstly, complete an MBBS degree in medicine and surgery. The Neurosurgery course is an MBBS degree. After completing MBBS, you can take admission into a 6-year MCh Neurosurgery course. You can otherwise take admission into 3-years general surgery program and then opt for 3 years MCh program. MCh is a special course that is done to achieve expertise in that field.
Hope your doubts are cleared. Thank you.
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