Neuropathology
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Neuropathology is the study of disease of the nervous system. The two main branches making up this field are neurology and anatomical pathology, a division within pathology. An other field also contributing and related is psychiatry.
Methodology
The work of the neuropathologist largely consists of examining biopsy tissue from the brain to aid in diagnosis of disease. This biopsy is usually requested after examination by a neurologist if the patient is exhibiting signs of neurological dysfunction or impairment the cause of which could not identified by other medical tests or procedures.
Focus of Specialization
In many English speaking countries neuropathology is considered a subfield of anatomical pathology. In contrast, there are a number of independent university chairs in neuropathology and even institutes of neuropathology in German speaking countries due to a different historical background. A physician who specializes in neuropathology, usually by completing a fellowship after a residency in anatomical or general pathology, is called a neuropathologist. In day-to-day clinical practice, a neuropathologist is a consultant for other physicians. If a disease of the nervous system is suspected, and the diagnosis cannot be made by less invasive methods, a biopsy of nervous tissue is taken and sent to the neuropathologist, who examines it using a microscope or certain molecular methods to make a definitive diagnosis.
Many neuropathologists in Europe have a background in the clinical neurosciences (neurology, psychiatry) as well as pathology. Having a background in the neurosciences is of distinct advantage if not mandatory for research in neuropathology as numerous diseases of the brain tissue proper are still poorly understood.
History of neuropathology
One famous founder of neuropathology was Alois Alzheimer, the person who Alzheimer's disease is named.
Progress
A European Board Examination in Neuropathology which emphasizes the importance of proper training in the neurosciences is currently being established (www.euro-cns.org).
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