Geriatric neurology is the branch of

medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pract ...

that studies

neurologic Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal c ...

disorders in

elderly Old age refers to ages nearing or surpassing the life expectancy of human beings, and is thus the end of the human life cycle. Terms and euphemisms for people at this age include old people, the elderly (worldwide usage), OAPs (British usage ...

Origin

In 1991 Advanced

Fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

ship Program in Geriatric Neurology was started by the

Department of Veterans Affairs The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers an ...

. Many veterans suffered from

neurodegenerative A neurodegenerative disease is caused by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, in the process known as neurodegeneration. Such neuronal damage may ultimately involve cell death. Neurodegenerative diseases include amyotrophic ...

changes such as

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in short-term me ...

Lewy Body dementia Lewy body dementias are two similar and common subtypes of dementia—dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Both are characterized by changes in thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. The two conditions have si ...

Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...

vascular dementia Vascular dementia (VaD) is dementia caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain, typically a series of minor strokes, leading to worsening cognitive abilities, the decline occurring piecemeal. The term refers to a syndrome consisti ...

, and other age related central nervous system changes. The implications for family

caregivers A caregiver or carer is a paid or unpaid member of a person's social network who helps them with activities of daily living. Since they have no specific professional training, they are often described as informal caregivers. Caregivers most commo ...

and the healthcare system were enormous. So the Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Program developed a cadre of

physicians A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

for academic leadership in this complex, interdisciplinary field. The subspecialty of Geriatric neurology is defined by its expertise in the

diagnosis Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine " cause and effect". In systems engin ...

, treatment, and care of neurological conditions that affect

and by its unique body of knowledge regarding the

aging Ageing ( BE) or aging ( AE) is the process of becoming older. The term refers mainly to humans, many other animals, and fungi, whereas for example, bacteria, perennial plants and some simple animals are potentially biologically immortal. In ...

nervous system, its vulnerability to specific neurological disorders, and its influence on the prevalence and expression of neurological disease.

Neurologists Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal c ...

are called with increasing frequency to provide care for older adults. As the number of elderly in the population increases, there will be a concomitant increase in the prevalence of acute and chronic neurological disorders associated with advancing age. Through training fellowships, the neurological community will endeavor to master, codify and transfer the knowledge and skills to effectively care for the elderly with neurological disorders. Behavioral Neurology Clinic at the Perlman Ambulatory Care Center. The Geriatric Neurology Section of the

American Academy of Neurology The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is a professional society representing over 38,000 neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1948 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the ar ...

increases awareness of, and fosters interest and expertise in, issues of geriatric neurology in the areas of patient care, research, education, and public policy, and enhances the role of neurologists in geriatric training programs.

Training & education programs

Fellowships for training on geriatric neurology were established. The Veterans Affair Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Program provides two years of post-residency research, education, and clinical learning opportunities to eligible physician neurologists. Graduates are expected to be role models in leading, developing, conducting, and evaluating innovative research, education, and clinical care in the field of geriatric neurology. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association established a two-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Alzheimer's disease research. The fellowship is supported by the AAN Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association. The American Academy of Neurology offers a prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases. The American Academy of Neurology offers an award for research in Geriatric Neurology. Clinical courses and books on geriatric neurology are available. A

journal A journal, from the Old French ''journal'' (meaning "daily"), may refer to: *Bullet journal, a method of personal organization *Diary, a record of what happened over the course of a day or other period *Daybook, also known as a general journal, a ...

dedicated to geriatric neurology & psychiatry was issued.

Organisation & societies

The Geriatric Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology was organized in 1989 to increase awareness of and foster interest and expertise in issues of geriatric neurology in the areas of patient care, research, education, and public policy, and to enhance the role of neurologists in geriatric training programs. The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) has approved geriatric neurology as its seventh subspecialty in May 2007. Geriatric Neurology Related

Societies A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societ ...

References

External links

Geriatric Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology

United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, Geriatric subspeciality
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geriatric Neurology Neurology Geriatrics