A neurology institute is primarily focused on the study and examination of neurons and the nervous system. There are three main categories of nervous system disorders studied by neurologists: central, autonomic nervous, and peripheral. In addition to the study of these diseases, neurology institutes also study how the nervous system works and test new ways to integrate technology with the human body. For example, amputees can now control their prosthetic limbs with their thoughts, due to the integration of neurological sensors into the artificial limb. These types of integration processes can have a huge impact on the quality of people’s lives.
Most neurology institutes are typically organized around either research or teaching. Very few countries have more than one top neurology institute. Large, industrialized nations, such as the United States, may have multiple institutes, but they vary in focus so there is minimal duplication of effort.
Research programs are typically multi-year and involve a wide range of specialists, from neurologists to biologists. The areas of research and the number of opportunities available are a critical aspect for every neurology institute. A good, impartial indicator of relative strength is to review the number of grants awarded in the past two years, the total number of applications, and the number of consecutive research projects under way. Look at the breadth of topics in the published research, areas of specialization, and the quality of the work produced.
Grants and research funding is available from a variety of national, international, commercial, and charitable organizations. All research and academic institutions require a support staff who is dedicated to identifying and applying for new research funding. The application requirements, time lines, areas of focus, and amounts of funding vary widely.
Sharing of knowledge, development of research skills, and providing support for other institutes is the primary focus of the teaching division. These departments focus on the course materials and standards of instruction provided at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Working with colleges, universities, and accrediting agencies, neurological institutes can increase the quality of training, which will advance research and developments in this field.
Department administrators, research accountants, development staff, and other support personal are critical to the success of any scientific or academic institution, and this is especially true for a neurology institute. Review the availability of the support staff members and their areas of focus to learn more about the institutional priorities. The amount of staff available is an indication of the size, success, and support for the institution at the highest levels.