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Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send se... morePeripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that the feet are cold or a finger is burned. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral neuropathy distorts and sometimes interrupts messages between the brain and the rest of the body. less
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A malignant brain tumour is a fast-growing cancer that spreads to other areas of the brain and spine.Most malignant brain tumours are secondary cancers, which means they started in another part of the body and spread to the brain. Primary brain tumours ar... moreA malignant brain tumour is a fast-growing cancer that spreads to other areas of the brain and spine.Most malignant brain tumours are secondary cancers, which means they started in another part of the body and spread to the brain. Primary brain tumours are those that started in the brain.There are different types of malignant brain tumour, depending on the type of brain cells they have grown from. The most common type is a glioma, which accounts for more than half of all primary brain tumours.Generally, brain tumours are graded from 1 to 4 according to their behaviour, such as how fast they grow and how likely they are to spread. A malignant brain tumour will be either grade 3 or 4 less
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A benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour is a mass of cells that grows slowly in the brain. It usually stays in one place and does not spread.Generally, brain tumours are graded from 1 to 4 according to their behaviour, such as how fast they grow and how lik... moreA benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour is a mass of cells that grows slowly in the brain. It usually stays in one place and does not spread.Generally, brain tumours are graded from 1 to 4 according to their behaviour, such as how fast they grow and how likely they are to spread. Grade 1 tumours are the least aggressive and grade 4 are the most harmful and cancerous. Cancerous tumours are described as malignant. less
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Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Several conditions can cause facial paralysis, e.g., brain tu... moreBell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Several conditions can cause facial paralysis, e.g., brain tumor, stroke, and Lyme disease. However, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell's palsy. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve) and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis.Bell's palsy is defined as an idiopathic unilateral facial nerve paralysis, usually self-limiting. The hallmark of this condition is a rapid onset of partial or complete palsy that often occurs overnight. In rare cases (1%), it can occur bilaterally resulting in total facial paralysis. less
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Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the bra... moreAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met.Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by rare mutations, or by rare combinations of common genetic variants. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surrou less
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Spinal cord vascular disease is a rare disease and typically occurs in the anterior spinal artery territory (which supplies the anterior two-thirds of the cord) because this artery is supplied by only a limited number of feeders. It is usually caused by i... moreSpinal cord vascular disease is a rare disease and typically occurs in the anterior spinal artery territory (which supplies the anterior two-thirds of the cord) because this artery is supplied by only a limited number of feeders. It is usually caused by interrupted flow in one or more of these feeders, eg, with aortic dissection, aortography, polyarteritis, or severe hypotension, or after surgical resection of the thoracic aorta. Usually caudal because the anterior spinal artery receives numerous feeders in the cervical region. Spinal cord hypoperfusion may lead to a central cord syndrome with distal weakness of lower motor neuron type and loss of pain and temperature appreciation, with preserved posterior column function less
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Thrombosis of cerebral veins or venous sinuses is a much less common cause of cerebral infarction than that caused by arterial disease. It is possible that many cases formerly labelled as benign intracranial hypertension were cases of intracranial venous ... moreThrombosis of cerebral veins or venous sinuses is a much less common cause of cerebral infarction than that caused by arterial disease. It is possible that many cases formerly labelled as benign intracranial hypertension were cases of intracranial venous thrombosis. Cerebral infarction can result from tissue congestion and obstruction. Cerebral haemorrhage may occur with the venous thrombosis and may even be a presenting feature. Symptoms are related to the area of thrombosis such as headache (similar picture to pseudotumour cerebri), jugular foramen syndrome. The management will be determined by many factors. The neurological complications, the cause and any associated diseases need to be considered. General measures appropriate to the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Elevation of the head at 30-40º helps to reduce intracranial pressure. Seizures should be treated with anticonvulsants. Specific treatment involves anticoagulation or thrombolytic treatments. less
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Arteriovenous malformation or AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries, usually congenital. This pathology is widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system, but can appear in any location. Symptoms of AVM vary accord... moreArteriovenous malformation or AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries, usually congenital. This pathology is widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system, but can appear in any location. Symptoms of AVM vary according to the location of the malformation. The most general symptoms include headache and epilepsy, with more specific symptoms occurring that normally depend on the location of the malformation and the individual. Such possible symptoms include difficulties with movement or coordination, including muscle weakness and even paralysis, vertigo (dizziness), difficulties of speech (dysarthria) and communication, such as aphasia, difficulties with everyday activities, such as apraxia, abnormal sensations (numbness, tingling, or spontaneous pain), memory and thought-related problems, such as confusion, dementia or hallucination. Treatment can be symptomatic, or it can involve surgery or radiation therapy. Embolization, that is, cutting off the blood supply to the AVM wi less
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An aneurysm is widening or bubble in the wall of a blood vessel. When such a bubble appears in the head, it is called an "intracranial aneurysm". Some people suffer from congenital defects that weaken the walls of their blood vessels and make th... moreAn aneurysm is widening or bubble in the wall of a blood vessel. When such a bubble appears in the head, it is called an "intracranial aneurysm". Some people suffer from congenital defects that weaken the walls of their blood vessels and make them more susceptible to aneurysms. Other factors include atherosclerosis, vascular disorders, trauma, infection, drug abuse and malignancies. The symptoms of an aneurysm rupture can include sudden and severe pain, an unusual pulsing sensation, pain or a lump anywhere in your body where blood vessels are located, a severe headache, like none you've ever had before, accompanied by radiating neck pain. Many patients describe this as "the worst headache of my life." An aneurysm’s rupture causes blood to seep into the skull. The bleeding increases pressure in the skull. That pressure can halt the flow of blood supply to the brain, causing severe damage. Also, blood around the brain is extremely toxic and the brain reacts badly to it less
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid space. Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), cerebral a... moreSubarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid space. Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), cerebral aneurysm, bleeding disorder, head injury. The main symptom is a severe headache that starts suddenly and is often worse near the back of the head. Patients often describe it as the "worst headache ever" and unlike any other type of headache pain. The goals of treatment are to save your life, repair the cause of bleeding, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications such as permanent brain damage (stroke). If the hemorrhage is due to an injury, surgery is done only to remove large collections of blood or to relieve pressure on the brain. Pain killers and anti-anxiety medications may be used to relieve headache and reduce intracranial pressure. less
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