neuropathology

thumb|Micrograph of a [[vasculitic neuropathy. Plastic embedded. Toluidine blue stain.]] Neuropathology is the study of disease of nervous system tissue, usually in the form of either small surgical biopsies or whole-body autopsies. Neuropathologists usually work in a department of anatomic pathology, but work closely with the clinical disciplines of neurology, and neurosurgery, which often depend on neuropathology for a diagnosis. Neuropathology also relates to forensic pathology because brain disease or brain injury can be related to cause of death. Neuropathology should not be confused with neuropathy, which refers to disorders of the nerves themselves (usually in the peripheral nervous system) rather than the tissues. In neuropathology, the branches of the specializations of nervous system as well as the tissues come together into one field of study.

== Methodology == The work of the neuropathologist consists largely of examining autopsy or biopsy tissue from the brain and spinal cord to aid in diagnosis of disease. In addition to brain and spinal cord, tissues of the eyes, nerves, muscles, and tumors are examined. A biopsy is usually requested after a mass is detected by radiologic imaging, the imaging in turn driven by presenting signs and symptoms of a patient. CT and MRI scans are also used to discover lesions in the patient. As for autopsies, the work of the neuropathologist is to make post-mortem diagnosis of diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and other conditions that affect the central nervous system. Tissue samples are researched within the lab for diagnosis, and in forensic investigations to clarify the cause of death.