Brain disorders
Brain Disorders
Brain disorders (/breɪn dɪsˈɔːrdərz/), also known as neurological disorders, are conditions that affect the brain and the central and autonomic nervous systems.
Etymology
The term "brain disorder" is derived from the Old English word "brægen" meaning "brain" and the Latin word "disorder" meaning "lack of order or regular arrangement".
Types of Brain Disorders
There are several types of brain disorders, including:
- Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die.
- Parkinson's disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain.
- Epilepsy: A central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
- Stroke: Occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients.
- Multiple sclerosis: A potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
- Autism: A developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior.
Symptoms
Symptoms of brain disorders can vary widely depending on the specific condition. In general, they may include:
- Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
- Distorted vision
- Loss of coordination
- Impaired memory
- Loss of sensation in limbs
- Impaired mental ability
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of brain disorders often involves a combination of neurological examination, imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan, and sometimes neurophysiological testing or biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment for brain disorders depends on the specific condition, and may involve medication, surgery, physical therapy, or other forms of treatment.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.