CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY - EVOLUTION AND PROSPECTS

In the diagnostic armamentarium of neurological disorders, clinical ne urophysiology has attained a critical role as it provides useful infor mation on the functional integrity of the central and peripheral nervo us system and localization of the lesion. With sophistication of instr umentation, major advances in electronics and computer technology have been translated into clinical application, facilitating a more precis e understanding of the functional state of the nervous system. The non invasive approach of many of the electrophysiological procedures, like electroencephalography, electromyography, nerve conduction and evoked potential studies, has made them acceptable in routine clinical pract ice for evaluating the functional status of brain, special sensory, mo tor and somatic sensory pathways, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular jun ction and muscle in various states of health and disease. In the recen t years, for studying the central motor pathways, electrical stimulati on has been replaced by magnetic stimulation. Another new development, still under evaluation, is magnetoencephalography, which recognizes a tangentially oriented electrical source and may become a complementar y tool to the conventional electroencephalography. In the Indian conte xt, there is an urgent need for a closer interaction of the scientists in the fields of basic physical sciences and neurosciences to foster mutual growth and promote new developments in clinical neurophysiology .