neurology terms

NeurologyDisorders

Terms Included Acid Lipase Disease

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Neurological Complications of AIDS

Alzheimer's Disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Cerebral Aneurysms

Aphasia

Asperger Syndrome

Autism

Brain and Spinal Tumors

Traumatic Brain Injury

Terms Included Carpel Tunnel

Cerebral Palsy

Coma

Dyslexia

Epilepsy

Huntington’s Disease

Meningitis

Narcolepsy

Parkinson’s Disease

Tourette Syndrome

Acid Lipase Disease What is Acid Lipase Disease ?

Body does not break down fats

Resulting in toxic build up

Lipid ex.- waxes, oil, cholesterol

Treatment?

Certain drugs can be used

Low cholesterol diet

Prognosis?

Varies

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/acid_lipase/acid_lipase.htm

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity

Disorder (ADHD) What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder?

Neurobehavioral disorder

3-5% of all American children are diagnosed

Inability to focus on a task

Inability to act one’s age

Treatments

Medications such as:

methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

Prognosis

No cure

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/adhd/adhd.htm

Neurological Complications

of AIDS What are Neurological Complications of AIDS?

Predominately located in the Immune system

Evoked by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),

Possible complications include:

AIDS dementia complex

Encephalitis

Neuropathy

Neurosyphilis

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aids/aids.htm

Neurological Complications

of AIDS Is there any treatment?

No cure

Several possible therapies/treatments such as:

antiepileptic drugs

Opiates

Corticosteroids

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aids/aids.htm

Alzheimer's Disease What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Non-reversible brain disorder

Develops over a period of time in the latter years of life.

Memory loss and confusion

Alterations in behavior and/or personality

Degeneration in cognitive abilities

Caused by the death of particular neurons

Also related to Dementia

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/alzheimersdisease/alzheimersdis

ease.htm

Alzheimer’s Disease Connected with AD:

Amyloid plaques

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)

Loss of connections between neurons responsible for memory and learning.

Treatment?

No way to reverse damage

Medications:

Donepezil (Aricept)

Rivastigmine (Exelon)

Galantamine (Razadyne)

Memantine (Namenda)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/alzheimersdisease/alzheimersdis

ease.htm

Amyotrophic Lateral

Sclerosis (ALS) What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

AKA- Lou Gehrig's disease

Develops at an alarming rate

Attacks nerve cells that regulate voluntary muscles

Fatal

Treatment?

No cure

One medication- Riluzole

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/ALS.h

tm

Amyotrophic Lateral

Sclerosis (ALS) Prognosis?

Muscle weakness and atrophy will eventually spread

throughout the body

Difficulty:

Swallowing

Speaking

Forming words

Future with ALS

Inability to perform daily tasks

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/ALS.h

tm

Cerebral Aneurysms What is Cerebral Aneurysms?

Enlargement and possible rupture of an artery in the brain

Any age

Before rupture:

Could or could not have symptoms

Immediately after:

Severe headache

Nausea,

Vision impairment

Vomiting

Loss of consciousness.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_ane

urysms.htm

Cerebral Aneurysms

Treatment?

Surgery

Catheter insertion

Prognosis?

Depends

Early diagnosis is crucial

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_ane

urysms.htm

Aphasia

What is Aphasia?

Affects the brain

Affects language

Not a disease

Result of brain damage

4 categories of Aphasia

(1) Expressive aphasia

(2) Receptive aphasia

(3) Anomic or amnesia aphasia

(4) Global aphasia

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm

Aphasia Treatment?

Language/speech therapy

Prognosis?

Depends on age and location of injury

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm

Asperger Syndrome What is Asperger Syndrome?

Developmental disorder

Related to Autism

Most common symptom:

Obsessive interest

Treatment?

Therapy

Early diagnosis/intervention

Structured environments

Prognosis?

Possibly able to cope

Need of life-long supporthttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm

Autism What is Autism?

Problems with:

Social interaction

Verbal and nonverbal communication

Repetitive and obsessive behaviors

Treatment?

No cure

Therapies

Behavioral assistance

Prognosis?

Epilepsy or seizure- like brain functions

Depression

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/autism.htm

Brain and Spinal Tumors What are Brain and Spinal Tumors?

Tissue growths

Can be benign or malignant

Can hinder functions

Treatment?

Surgery

Radiation

Chemotherapy

Steroids

Prognosis?

Depends on size

Depends on if benign or malignant

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brainandspinaltumors/brainandspi

naltumors.htm

Traumatic Brain Injury

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

Abrupt trauma to the brain, such as:

Strike to the brain

Something pierces skull and goes through brain tissue

Symptoms:

Alert or not alert

Headache

Confusion

Light-headed

Blurred vission

Changes in mood

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment?

Seek medical attention ASAP

Could need Oxygen

Adequate blood flow

Managing blood pressure

Prognosis?

Surgery for repair

Could cause an array of disabilities

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Squeezing of a key nerve (AKA median nerve) in the wrist

Symptoms:

Pain

Weakness

More likely to obtain CTS if:

preform repetitive work tasks

such as:

assembly line work

ASL interpreters

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/carpal_tunnel.htm

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment?

Rest for a few weeks

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as:

Aspirin

Ibuprofen

Prednisone

Steroid injections

Prognosis?

Treatment

Surgery

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/carpal_tunnel.htm

Cerebral Palsy What is Cerebral Palsy?

Life-long damage to body movement and muscle

coordination

Do not worsen

Abnormalities in the brain cause CP

Treatment?

No cure

Therapy

Medications

Orthopedic devices to assist daily activities

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm

Coma

What is Coma?

AKA- persistent vegetative state

Extreme state of unconsiousness

Alive but unable to move or be coherent

Treatment?

Physical therapy

Prognosis?

Typcially lasts 2-4 weeks

Depends on severity and longevity

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/coma/coma.htm

Dyslexia What is Dyslexia?

Learning disability

Trouble reading and phonological processing

Treatment?

Adjustments to teaching methods

Prognosis?

Typically good but mixed and hard to tell

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dyslexia/dyslexia.htm

Epilepsy What is Epilepsy?

Brain disorder

Neuronal activity is agitated

Can cause several types of seizures

Treatment?

Medicines

Surgery

Prognosis?

No cure

Can cause brain damage

Possibly fatal

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/epilepsy.htm

Huntington’s Disease What is Huntington's Disease? Genetically programmed degeneration ofnerurons

Thus causes:

Uncontrolled movements

Loss of intellectual faculties

Emotional disturbance

Obtain through genetics

Teatment? Tetrabenazine

Exercise

What is the prognosis? Can not stop

Can not reverse

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/huntington.htm

Meningitis

What are Meningitis?

Inflammatory diseases of the membranes surrounding the

brain and spinal cord

Caused by bacterial or viral infections

Viral meningitis-AKA- aseptic meningitis

Symptoms:

High fever

Severe and persistent headache

Stiff neck

Nausea

Vomiting

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/encephalit

is_meningitis.htm

Meningitis Is there any treatment?

Antiviral medications

Antibiotics

Anticonvulsants

Corticosteroids

What is the prognosis?

Varies

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/encephalit

is_meningitis.htm

Narcolepsy

What is Narcolepsy?

Chronic neurological disorder

Brain can not regulate sleep-wake cycles normally

Can fall asleep at random times during the day

Treatment

No cure

Medications:

Modafinil

Tricyclics (including

imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine, and protriptyline)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (including fluoxetine

and sertraline)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm

Narcolepsy

What is the prognosis?

Medications can allow alertness

EDS and cataplexy can be controlled

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm

Parkinson’s Disease What is Parkinson's Disease?

Due to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells

Symptoms:

Tremor

Rigidity

Bradykinesia

Could be limited in performing daily activities

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_d

isease.htm

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment?

No cure

Medications:

levodopa combined with carbidopa

Anticholinergics

Bromocriptine

Pramipexole

Ropinirole

Prognosis?

Continues over time

Progresses

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_d

isease.htm

Tourette Syndrome What is Tourette Syndrome?

Repetitive movements

Such as:

Eye movements

Blinking

Shoulder shrugging

AKA – tics

Treatment?

Medication

Prognosis?

Life-long

Symptoms tend to improve over time

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/tourette.htm

References http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/disorder_index.htm