A local neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spine and nerves. A local neurosurgeon is different from a local neurologist in that a neurosurgeon can perform surgery on the brain and spinal cord. A local neurosurgeon may treat patients with a variety of conditions including headache disorders, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, brain infections, concussions and Lou Gehrig's disease. They may also help patients who are recovering from brain or spinal surgery. If your local family physician thinks that you need to see a local neurosurgeon, they can refer you to one.