Overview
Clinical neurophysiologists record electrical activity of the brain and peripheral nerves to diagnose seizures, encephalopathies and neuromuscular disorders and to provide intraoperative monitoring. Their data guide diagnosis, treatment and surgical decision making. The specialty supports neurology and neurosurgery with objective physiologic assessment.
Clinical Practice
They perform EEG, EMG/NCS and long term monitoring and interpret waveforms in clinical context to advise on seizure management and neuromuscular disease. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring protects neural structures during surgery and informs real time decisions. Artifact recognition and signal quality control are essential skills.
Procedures and Tools
Tools include scalp and intracranial EEG, needle EMG, evoked potentials and monitoring systems for operating rooms. Neurophysiologists collaborate with technologists, neurologists and surgeons to ensure accurate acquisition and interpretation. Longitudinal monitoring supports epilepsy surgery candidacy and perioperative neuroprotection.
Training and Roles
Clinical neurophysiologists are neurologists or technologists with specialized fellowship training and certification in neurophysiology and work in epilepsy centers, ORs and neurodiagnostic labs. They provide consultation, procedural oversight and contribute to research and education. Ongoing proficiency testing maintains diagnostic accuracy.