Introducing Nerve Whiz: an app for your brain

Zachary London, M.D.,
assistant professor of neurology
and director of the neurology
residency program

For physicians who need nervous system information on the go, even during patient interactions, U-M has introduced a free mobile app (short for application) created by a University of Michigan neurologist. Nerve Whiz lays out the complex anatomy of nerve roots, plexuses and peripheral nerves in an interactive, creative way. The application can be used on smart phones such as iPhones and Android phones, as well as on iPads and iPod Touches.

"Just go to the App Store or Android Market,
search for 'Nerve Whiz,' and download it to your smart phone or other device," says Nerve Whiz developer Zachary London, M.D., assistant professor of neurology and director of the U-M neurology residency program.

Nerve Whiz aims to provide a better understanding of the peripheral nervous system and its anatomy. Physicians can ask patients where they are feeling weak, conduct a physical exam of the patient, and then enter the relevant information into Nerve Whiz.

Nerve Whiz then provides a list of possible localizations (root, plexus, or nerve) to consider. The application goes beyond simple nerve charts to help medical professionals interpret clinical examinations. It includes relevant pictures, charts and thorough nerve diagrams. The user can choose any localization (root, trunk, cord, or nerve), and see a diagram of that nerve in the context of the brachial or lumbosacral plexus.

The application makes sensory localizations just as easy. A physician can touch a picture of an arm or leg in the spot where a patient complains of numbness, and Nerve Whiz will suggest localizations with graphic representations of the sensory distributions of nerve roots, parts of the plexus, and nerves.

Nerve Whiz also includes a comprehensive inventory of the most clinically relevant muscles in the upper and lower extremities. Muscles can be sorted by root, trunk, cord, peripheral nerve, action, or muscle name.

To date, more than 40,000 users around the world have downloaded Nerve Whiz. Among them are physicians, medical students, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and anatomists. London is surprised and pleased at the application's popularity.

"I wanted to develop a tool that would assist in localization and diagnosis, and be easy and interactive. I was happy to accomplish that, but I wasn't prepared for the incredible response it has had," he says.

London has received positive feedback from clinicians across the country, as well as medical professors in the U.S. and abroad, who are incorporating Nerve Whiz into their neurology curricula. It seems the program is as much of a teaching tool as it is a clinical tool.

The Jerry Isler Neuromuscular Fund at the University of Michigan financed the Nerve Whiz project. Jerry Isler was diagnosed with a painful neuromuscular disease affecting his legs when he came to seek treatment from London. Isler was very happy with the care he received at U-M and with his wife Gussie, established the Fund in late 2009.

"Dr. London's care, concern, and compassion led Gussie and I to our decision to 'make a difference' at U-M," says Isler. "We started the JINF to support research and education related to neuromuscular disorders, and have been very pleased with the results."

"Nerve Whiz takes the mystery out of the peripheral nervous system," says London.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
University of Michigan Department of Neurology