Neuropathology is the subspecialty of Pathology and Neurosciences with special expertise in diseases of the nervous system and its coverings. Neuropathologists study portions of brain tissues removed at surgery (biopsies) and brains removed at autopsy for diagnosis. The tissue is examined grossly and microscopically for signs of Alzheimer disease and other dementias, neoplasms, vascular disease, inflammatory processes, or developmental abnormalities. The neuropathologic diagnosis thus plays an important role in patient care. Postmortem diagnosis may be important for families at risk of many disorders which have been shown to have a genetic basis. Christine Hulette, M.D. is responsible for extensive diagnostic work performed in collaboration with the Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, the Udall Parkinson's Disease Center of Excellence and the Center for Human Genetics.

 Neuropathologists are also frequently consulted on issues of causation in legal actions involving Central Nervous System hemorrhage, trauma, infection, loss of consciousness, neoplasia, and toxicity. Faculty members Roger McLendon, M.D., Darell D. Bigner, M.D.,Ph.D. Christine Hulette, M.D., and Thomas Cummings, M.D. have active consultation services.

Because of their intimate knowledge of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system in health and disease as well as their training in general anatomic pathology, neuropathologists often are involved in collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry in both pre-clinical and human drug trials. Neuropathologists play an essential role at Academic Medical Centers where they support their clinical and research colleagues in Neurosurgery, Neurology and Neuroradiology.