It's troubling enough that most MS neurologists prescribe immune-modulating drugs with very little training in immunology, other than literature and assurances they receive from drug company sales reps.
But neurologists should at least have vast knowledge about how brains work, right? After watching this Ted Talk Video, I'm realizing the guy I recently fired did not even have that going for him.
If I could go back in time and give myself advice about how to evaluate my MS neurologist, I would have advised myself to give him a pop quiz.
Quiz time would be at some point when sitting next to the neurologist comparing before-and-after MRI scans of the brain. We'd be looking at scans showing where my immune system scarred my brain. He'd be saying this one's bigger, that one's smaller, one disappeared or new ones appeared.
Stop him and ask "What does that part of my brain do, where that lesion is?
If he confidently uses the term "silent area" that's a strong indication the this doctor is either a dinosaur or a quack. Grade F.
If he says "it's hard to say exactly what that exact spot does, but that area of the brain generally is associated with XYZ function…" Grade A
If he says "I don't know," that might be as passing Grade C. At least he's being honest and may be open to learning new things.
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-percentage-of-your-brain-do-you-use-richard-e-cytowic#review
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