Advances in the neurosciences and implications for nursing care.

There have been numerous advances in the neurosciences in the last decade. These include discoveries in the area of neurogenetics, as well as advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurologic diseases such as stroke, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. These advances raise issues which have dramatic implications for nursing. In our society there is an increasing focus on technology. This focus, coupled with the reductionism of cellular and biochemical advances in the neurosciences, tends to take the focus away from the patient. Nursing care is critical in bridging the gap created by technological and biochemical discoveries.