Neurology is the study of disorders of the nervous system. A neurologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats nervous system disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. This specialist deals with problems related to brain disease, disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves, and the blood vessels that provide circulation to these organs. A neurologist also treats specific diseases such as Bell’s palsy, cerebellar ataxia and meningitis.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome, brain tumor, migraine, meningitis, seizure, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, coma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, cluster headache, ischemic stroke, encephalitis, encephalopathy, botulism, chorea, Lou Gehrig's disease, and ataxia.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Electroconvulsive therapy and Electroencephalogram (EEG).

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including CAT Scan of the Brain, CT Scan of the Brain, MRI Scan of the Brain, MRI Scan of the Spine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), Myelogram, Spinal Tap, Lumbar Puncture (LP), Electromyography (EMG), Myelography, Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan), Spinal Puncture, Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), Electroencephalography, Cerebral Angiogram, Electronystagmography (ENG), Ocular Pressures, CSF Collection, and Myogram.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Alaska has 17 practicing neurologists. Broken out by city, neurology doctor density in Anchorage is 8, in Elmendorf Afb is 2, in Fairbanks is 3, in Juneau is 1, in Sherwood is 1, in Soldotna is 1, and in Wasilla is 1.

Alaska became the 49th state in 1959, and Juneau is its capital city. Comprising 586,000 square miles, the population is 663,661. Also called the Land of the Midnight Sun, Alaska’s average winter temperatures are around 20°F, so tourism is active all year round. You can study Alaska’s native culture, take a dogsled ride, enjoy skiing, snowboarding, skating, ice fishing, or a sea kayak ride. Enjoy winter carnivals and festivals. Take a cruise to view wildlife, including humpback whales, pan for gold, or fish for Alaska’s world-famous King salmon.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Alaska has a population of 663,661. Of this population, 172,628 are under the age of 18 and 43,134 are at or above the age of 65.