What is a sports neurologist? With the dramatic increase in head injuries in football and other sports, this relatively new subspecialty of neurology has become increasingly prominent.We are joined today by one of the first board certified sports neurologists in the country- Dr. Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa, MD, a sports neurologist with the Hartford Healthcare Ayer Neuroscience Institute For any coach or trainer or athlete, you will want to tune in and take notes. This episode not only lays the foundation to understanding the necessity of a sports neurologist but it also introduces to the various neurological conditions that athletes from all different sports posses.Sports neurology is a relatively new specialty in neurology concerned with the study and management of sports-related neurologic injuries that may develop as a result of participation in athletic activities. Concussion is the most recognized example of a sport-related injury. However, athletes also experience injuries to the spine (spinal cord), peripheral nerves, and the neuromuscular system, and rarely, traumatic brain injuries of greater severity. "Baseline testing is a way to evaluate athletes prior to having a concussion or after fully recovering from a concussion where the testing can be repeated if an acute concussion is suspected and also to assist the clinician to determine when it is safe for them to return to play" ~ Dr. Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa, MDThank you to our Sponsors:Eight Sleep- get $150 off using code NEUROMUSE - get 10% off using code NEUROFind Stephanie here: https://bit.ly/3ok6oRXConnect with her on Twitter here:  https://bit.ly/2YnpmfHREVIEW/SHARE:If you enjoyed the episode and have a spare 1-2 minutes please leave a review on iTunes so the Neuro Experience podcast ranks higher and becomes more discoverable for other listeners.  Sign up to Louisa's email newsletter: https://bit.ly/37bR58XConnect with Louisa on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SXPA5M