Neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases (/ˌnʊəroʊdɪˈdʒɛnərətɪv diːˈziːzɪz/) are a variety of medical conditions which primarily affect the neurons in the human brain. Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord.
Etymology
The term "Neurodegenerative" is derived from 'neuro' which refers to nerves and 'degenerative' which refers to progressive deterioration.
Types of Neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases include:
- Alzheimer's disease - A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
- Parkinson's disease - A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors.
- Huntington's disease - An inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - A group of rare neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases include:
- Memory loss
- Trouble with motor skills including difficulty with balance and coordination or trouble speaking or swallowing
- Mood changes
Causes
The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are often poorly understood. However, they are typically characterized by the buildup of proteins in the brain. In some cases, they may be genetic.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for neurodegenerative diseases. Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. This may include medication, physiotherapy, and in some cases, surgery.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neurodegenerative diseases
- Wikipedia's article - Neurodegenerative diseases
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