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Treatments/Programs

Neurologists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and medically treating disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The nervous system can be divided into two parts:

  • The central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord
  • The peripheral nervous system, which is the network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
The human brain is only about the size of a grapefruit, weighing less than three pounds. It controls the activities within our bodies and most voluntary movements, and it is the center of our consciousness and intellect, giving us the ability to think and create. About 100 billion nerve cells (neurons), their connections and supporting cells (neuroglial cells) make up the brain.

The brain is vital to life. Despite its small size, the brain uses 20 percent of the blood pumped by the heart and 20 percent of the oxygen required by the body at rest.

Blood, carrying oxygen and essential nutrients, is brought to the brain from the heart via key arteries that extend up through our necks. These large arteries then split into smaller ones to distribute blood to the various regions of the brain. The brain can survive only a few minutes without oxygen. Even a few seconds of disturbed blood flow, such as when a stroke occurs, can cause significant damage.

There are many kinds of neurological disorders and conditions that can affect the body in varying ways. The Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders. The department also offers many specialized centers, clinics and laboratories that are dedicated to specific neurologic conditions.

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