An Aspirant’s Tentative Look into the Field of Neurology

At the age of ten, I read a book, “Gifted Hands” by Dr. Ben Carson, which inspired and begin to motivate my interest in pursuing medicine as a career because I could identify with his discovery of the joy of reading and his fascination with science. When I was 14, I had an epiphany at the doctor’s office. This event occurred a little after I had finished my final exams in school and the next step was to go to senior high school. But, I thought the preliminary chemistry and physics classes of junior high school were daunting and went on to convince myself that a career in medicine might not be right for me.

From that point onwards, I pursued time outside of school to hone my skills in scientific research, focusing on topics that related to the brain. In the future, I would like to advance my studies in neuroscience. I relished the time I spent in the cell bio-imaging labs at Arizona State University and the time I currently spend at Barrow’s Neurological Center in Phoenix, but I am always curious

My ambition in life is to be a Physician Scientist, someone at the fore front of medical innovation particularly in the field of Neuroscience. An accelerated 7-year combined BS-MD program is an apt choice for my goals and ambitions. After having gone through almost two years in college and having taken part in various clinical and research experiences, I have lost any doubts others my age might have in my goal of being a physician in academic medicine in the future; with my lack of indecisiveness comes my decision to aim for the BS-MD program.

This is considered an abundant amount of money. The reason neurosurgeons get paid so much is due the amount years it took them to become a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons are highly skilled, educated. Not to mention they deal with a job most people cannot handle. For example, neurosurgeons cut people open. Blood has no emotional effect on neurosurgeons, but for most people the sight of blood causes someone to faint. Not to mention, this is considered a dangerous job because you could easily kill someone in surgery and you could harm yourself with the tools you are during a

A staggering amount of blood, sweat and tears is required to get into a prestigious medical school, let alone the process of becoming a doctor. An innate curiosity for the human anatomy and mind fuels my incessant passion for medicine. As a creative thinker with an eye for detail and a devotion to logic, my understanding of the natural sciences continues to grow. With a tendency to delve more on a particular topic that sparks my interest, I often like to go beyond the textbook and familiarize myself with the more intricate operations of the human body. Advanced courses in high school have helped me adapt to the rigor necessary for succeeding in becoming a

To further compare the dopamine hypothesis, the Neurological substrates including errors in neurotransmitter levels. Some studies have suggested that negative, disorganized, and some positive symptoms may possibly could result from damage occurring to the neural system itself (Basso et al. 1998). The most frequently found findings in brain scans of those diagnosed with schizophrenia have included enlarged cerebral ventricles and reduced cortical volume especially in the temporal and frontal lobes in comparison to scans from non-schizophrenics. Post-mortem examinations have revealed a reduction of neuron density and size in the limbic, temporal and frontal regions of the brain and the connections between the neurons are noticeably disorganized.

My interest in Neuroscience began with the exposure to learning brain structures and its functions, which increased the understanding the brain structures and its relation to behaviors of people. Ever since then, I had enjoyed learning about the brain, its function, and how it relates to behavior, emotion, and cognition. During my exposure to learning and cognition classes, I enjoyed learning about neurological disorders and impairments that affects the brain. I enjoy learning about the various neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders and its treatments. I am interested in the pediatric and geriatric neurological disorders and their impacts to cognitive functions and the skills needed to effectively treat and diagnose patients with acquired and developmental neurological disorders or impairments. Thus, I have become more interested in the field of Neuroscience during my undergraduate psychology degree.

How will one respond in a crisis? How does one avoid trouble? How will one talk to a family, particularly when there is a complication? Developing a sensibility about these concepts takes years of experience. During a neurosurgeon’s college years, they are required to take undergraduate classes “in biology, mathematics, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, english, social science, humanities, and calculus with statistics” along with graduate classes “in anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine” (“Physicians and Surgeons.”). Brain surgeons operate under dynamic conditions that require a vast knowledge in numerous fields of study. This will help them to perform complex and difficult procedures under a multitude of circumstances. Consequently, surgeons can work more effectively and prevent more people from dying unjustly. One of the most important aspects of a surgeon’s years as a student is “[passing] a standardized national licensure exam” which is “the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)” (“Physicians and

Like most eighteen year olds entering college, my plans for the future were not well constructed. I was very successful in high school and loved all of my subjects, so I had difficultly deciding which area of study I wanted to direct my focus. Oddly, I chose biology, the subject that I found most challenging. Despite the intricate and confusing concepts, biology fascinated me. It seemed like the obvious choice even though I wasn't entirely sure what career I wanted to pursue post-baccalaureate.

My primary minor is medicine as I plan to go to medical school after college. The pull-factor of medicine is, of course saving people's lives, but also discovering and defeating the microscopic elements that can consume us alive. The mere ability of these invisible particles to completely destroy us is truly humbling. That is why the study and practice of medicine is a dignifying and self-driven cause. Psychology is another minor I have chosen to apply for. I believe that the brain is the most powerful organ of the body, which I had begun to appreciate after participating in a neuro-based summer camp in Texas. In this program, I not only learned the anatomy and physiology of the brain, but also the effects the brain has other parts of the body. Without the brain, we wouldn’t be able to perform an act as simple as swallowing. But the most interesting aspect of the brain is its cognitive abilities. The endless variability of the brain’s cognition makes the study of neurology a bottomless water glass for my unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Finally, as England is home to such fine literature as that of Shakespeare, and Oxford itself has contributed much to the English language and its

When patients are diagnosed with a neurological disorder that requires frequent care, neurologists become the principle care providers and become consultants to other physicians. For example, patients who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s diseases have a need for a neurologist as their principle care physician. The neurologist’s role is to diagnose and serve an advisory to the primary care physician that’s managing the patients

The changes in personality and behavior because of brain damage affect the daily tasks of people that suffer from brain injury. Everyone behaves differently from others and everyone acts different in social situations. Our brain is what makes who we are, and the brain also stores all of the information an individual has learned throughout the years. There has been multiple studies that have found how complex the brain really is and how our socio-cognitive skills helps individuals get through social tasks, but it may be difficult if an individuals’ personality changes after brain damage. The socio-cognitive skills is how individuals see and apply information about other people and social situations. Phineas Gages’ story shows how drastically our personality can change, if an individual suffers from brain injury. Phineas Gage was a railroad worker that has an accident

These experiences have led to many positive changes in my life and most importantly, the pursuit of a new passion. I had always enjoyed my biology classes, but prior to my sophomore year genetics course, it was nothing more than that. This was the first class I had taken where there was an actual medical application for the material being taught, and I was instantly hooked. The course material commanded my attention and ignited a new passion that I had only previously felt for hockey. I was surprised and excited at the same time that once again I had the feeling of being passionate for something. A career in medicine could be something that I pursue with the same desire and hunger that I once chased a dream of college hockey with. An opportunity to pursue this new goal for not only the next few years but also through a lifetime of continued learning is what is most exciting to me. With this renewed interest, I began to apply a new level of dedication and commitment to all of my work, and have earned a 4.0 in each

My interest started in elementary school, because of the teachers who enhanced my passion for science. In elementary school, I never thought about turning my passion into an actual career; that didn’t happen until high school. Science always intrigued me, from the never-ending science fair projects to research projects. Georgetown University’s Masters’ program in Biotechnology/ BioScience will continue to enhance my passion for science, but will also enhance my other passion in health related professions. Throughout my life, I loved science and health, but more so, the satisfaction of putting someone’s well being before my own.

My top career choice is a neurologist. I have chosen this career because not only is it financially rewarding, I can help people live a better life like I always dreamed of doing as a kid. I want to be the person to be recognized for saving lives. I know that this job would be a lot of hard work, but I think all my time would be worth it saving lives. The brain has always fascinated me since I was little, I was always eager to learn more, and discover more things. I realize that this would be a challenge, but it is a challenge I am up for!