Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry

The VAGLA/UCLA Neurobehavior Program sponsors one of the oldest behavioral and cognitive neurology training programs in the United States. Fellows in the program benefit from its resources and join a group of clinicians and scientists probing brain/behavior disorders.

The Program offers a Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry (BN&NP) Fellowship. This training combines strengths in the areas of clinical cognitive disorders, dementia, and neurological neuropsychiatry. Bedside mental status assessment and cognitive research evaluations are aspects of the fellowship. Specific clinical and research interests include explorations into frontal-executive functions in frontotemporal dementia, social cognition in dementia, perceptual disturbances in focal brain disorders, language disturbances, the diagnosis and management of the dementias, "organic" psychoses, "organic" affective disorders, psychiatric syndromes accompanying movement disorders, and others.

We accept one or more fellows each year with a background in neurology. The desire for advanced training in behavioral and cognitive neurology should be the major priority for candidates interested in this program, whether the candidate is focused on becoming a specialized clinician, a researcher, or anything in-between. The fellowship is designed as two-year program: the first year emphasizes the development of clinical expertise and the second stresses research activities. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents.

By special arrangement, the BN&NP Fellowship can be combined with other training experiences. These include the following: 1. Fellowship experience in related areas, especially Movement Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neuroradiology, or other related field (by prior arrangement); or 2. If the applicant has research funding, greater dedicated time to their research activities.

A typical weekly schedule includes two or three half-day clinics (new patient evaluations and follow-through assessments), a basic behavioral science seminar, a cognitive neuroscience conference, and Neurology Grand Rounds on Wednesday mornings, plus a number of clinical conferences. Among these structured activities are hospital consultations and assorted clinical and teaching duties.

Approximately two weeks of paid annual leave and one week of education leave are allowed yearly. It is usually possible to help defray the cost of an annual profession meeting.

If you are interested in applying for fellowship, please send a formal letter stating a definite interest in the fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program (aka “Neurobehavior”). Please include an up-to date copy of your curriculum vitae. In addition, two letters of reference are eventually required, preferably from individuals who have been active in your most recent training program and can discuss your potential for advanced training and specialization.

Please send all applications or inquires VIA EMAIL titled "FELLOWSHIP INQUIRY" to:

Mario F. Mendez, M.D.,Ph.D,
Director, Behavioral Neurology Program,
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and
Neurobehavior Unit,
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Center
11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073
[email protected] or [email protected]