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. Florida has 807 practicing neurologists. Broken out by city, neurology doctor density in Fernandina Beach is 3, in Fort Lauderdale is 32, in Fort Myers is 24, in Fort Pierce is 6, and in Fort Walton Beach is 8.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.