A neurologist is a medical professional who specializes in the study and treatment of disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. The nervous system controls and regulates activity and movement in the body. If the nervous system is not functioning properly, the body cannot function. It is the job of a neurologist to find and correct any problems in the nervous system.

Medical professionals who specialize in neuropsychiatry work to help patients who have mental illnesses that can be directly attributed to neurological disorders or problems. This field has grown in recent years as it has become clearer that many mental illnesses are the result of physical problems of the brain. It is a more specialized field than their neurology or psychiatry, and therefore, patients must seek out this specific type of care if their mental illness is related to a brain disorder.