Clinical Neurophysiology

The Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship is accredited by the ACGME and allows fellows to become certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology for Added Qualifications in Clinical Neurophysiology. The training period is one year, and two funded positions are available to residents who are Board-eligible or certified in Neurology. The program concentrates upon EMG and EEG and builds upon basic skills learned during neurology residency, allowing the fellow to obtain greater knowledge and skills in clinical neurophysiology. More subspecialized training is introduced and clinical correlation is stressed with the addition of clinical experiences and didactic sessions. Fellows must spend time in both specialties, but the percentage of time in either can vary. Specific EMG training includes nerve conduction studies/EMG, pediatric EMG, autonomic nervous system testing, and EMG-guided botulinum toxin therapy administration for movement disorders. A minimum of one-half day per week involves outpatient evaluations of patients with neuromuscular diseases, especially myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myopathies, including dystrophies. Fellows also learn to perform needle muscle biopsies and interpret muscle and nerve histopathology. The EEG training includes interpretation of EEGs, long-term EEG monitoring in the epilepsy monitoring unit and via ambulatory EEG, video EEG, and evoked potentials. Training in Evoked Potentials, including auditory, visual, and somatosensory, is also provided. Outpatient epilepsy evaluation and pre- and post-surgical epilepsy evaluation are also performed. Electives in polysomnography and intraoperative monitoring are available. Fellows are encouraged to participate in scholarly activities, including clinical research.

Stroke (Vascular Neurology)

The one-year vascular neurology fellowship provides training in the rapidly evolving field of neurovascular disorders and therapeutics. Since 2003 it has been an ACGME-approved program. Stroke fellows gain extensive experience with clinical management of complex disorders, advanced neuroimaging techniques, thrombolytic therapy, evidence-based stroke therapy, and investigational approaches to stroke treatment.

After the one-year vascular neurology fellowship, a two-year Neuroendovascular (interventional) fellowship is available to train in the full spectrum of neurointerventional therapies and procedures, including acute ischemic stroke management, intra- and extracranial stents, aneurysm coiling, and AVM embolization.

Movement Disorders and Behavioral Neurology/Cognitive Disorders

Movement disorders fellowships are also available. Fellows based in the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center see patients with memory and other cognitive disorders. They also participate in clinical research with a large interdisciplinary faculty from geriatric psychiatry, geriatric medicine, neuropsychology, social work and others. Initiation of the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Clinic has added the opportunity for our residents to work in this multidisciplinary environment as well.