Neurological Disorders

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Neurological disorders are those disorders that affect the nervous system, which includes the central (brain and spinal cord), peripheral, and autonomic systems. Neurological conditions include Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, and stroke, among others. This section provides information on neurological disorders, their causes and symptoms, possible approaches to neurological rehabilitation, and recent advances in treatment options. Start here to understand both what your specific condition is, and how to work with your doctor to address it.

 

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Cerebral palsy is a condition that results in movement and posture-related physical disability. In addition, there may be secondary conditions such as sensory or cognition disorders. These cerebral palsy symptoms are most often the result...  read more

Lou Gehrig's disease, more technically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a disorder characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons, a particular kind of nerve cells. ALS symptoms include muscle weakness, which progresses...  read more

An autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the result of the body's immune system attacking its central nervous system. MS occurs more frequently in women than in men, and generally in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Although there is no known...  read more

Parkinson's disease is a brain degenerative disease that impacts motor control, the ability to speak, and other physical functions. The disease has gained in public awareness because of popular actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with...  read more

A developmental birth defect, spina bifida is the result of an incomplete closure of the baby's neural tube, which impacts development of the spinal cord. The four types of spina bifida malformations are spina bifida occulta, spina bifida...  read more

About 11,000 Americans are hospitalized for a spinal cord injury (SCI) every year, and up to 250,000 people in the US alone live with an SCI. A paraplegic is someone whose legs and lower part of the body are paralyzed; a quadriplegic (or,...  read more

Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability. If recognized and treated quickly, there is a high probability of stroke recovery. Some stroke symptoms are easy to identify: specifically, a sudden weakness in facial muscles, arm "drift...  read more

Traumatic brain injury is the result of a blow to the head, which could come from a sports injury, a car accident, military action, or simply a fall, among other causes. One of the leading causes of death and disability, brain injury can,...  read more

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