Description
Diagnose diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system by examining brain, spinal cord, nerve, muscle, and cerebrospinal fluid using histologic, cytologic, immunohistochemical, molecular, and biochemical tests; perform neuropathologic autopsies and support neurosurgical and neurology care.
- • Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness on neuropathologic findings.
- • Review cases by analyzing neuropathology autopsies, laboratory data, imaging correlations, and investigation reports.
- • Manage neuropathology laboratories and brain/tissue banks.
- • Stay current with advances in neuropathology, neuro-oncology, and neurodegeneration through literature and professional activities.
- • Develop or validate neuro-specific assays and instruments to improve diagnosis (e.g., IDH, 1p/19q, methylation, RT-QuIC).
- • Educate neurosurgeons, neurologists, trainees, and laboratory personnel in neuropathology techniques and diagnosis.
- • Conduct research and present findings on CNS/PNS tumors, neurodegenerative disease, infection, or injury.
- • Perform and interpret neuropathologic examinations at autopsy to determine or contribute to cause of death.
- • Plan and supervise the work of neuropathology staff, fellows, residents, and visitors.
- • Provide intraoperative consultations (smears/frozen sections) and triage neurosurgical specimens for ancillary testing.
- • Determine the etiology, pathogenesis, morphologic changes, and clinical significance of neurologic diseases.
- • Diagnose CNS infections using histology, special stains, immunohistochemistry, culture, and PCR/CSF-based assays.
- • Perform or interpret molecular and cytogenetic analyses for CNS tumors and neuromuscular disorders.
- • Write integrated neuropathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions per current classifications.
- • Analyze and interpret results from CSF cytology, muscle and nerve studies, prion assays, microbial PCRs, and other tests.
- • Communicate findings and management implications to neurosurgeons, neurologists, oncologists, and other clinicians.
- • Consult with physicians on appropriate test selection, specimen handling, and interpretation for neuro cases.
- • Examine gross and microscopic CNS/PNS specimens to identify tumors, demyelination, neurodegeneration, ischemia, or other abnormalities.
- • Diagnose neurologic diseases using techniques such as brain cutting, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular profiling.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
