Central nervous system disease
Encyclopedia
A central nervous system disease can affect either the spinal cord
(myelopathy
) or brain
(encephalopathy
), both part of the central nervous system
. The central nervous system controls behaviors in the human body, so this can be a fatal illness.
. It also conducts motor information to the body's skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves along the spinal cord. These nerves each contain both sensory and motor axon
s. The spinal cord is protected by vertebrae, and connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain, and it acts as a "minor" coordinating center.
, it may be lethal to humans, as well as birds and horses.
(membranes) of the brain and spinal cord. It is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Fever, vomiting, and a stiff neck are all symptoms of meningitis.
, a disease of the bone marrow
.
covered by arachnoidal cells that may develop on the brain or spinal cord. They are a congenital disorder
and in some cases may not show symptoms. However, if there is a large cyst, symptoms may include headache, seizures, ataxia
(lack of muscle control), hemiparesis
, and several others. Macrocephaly
and ADHD are common among children, while pre-senile dementia, hydrocephalus
(an abnormality of the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid), and urinary incontinence
are symptoms for elderly patients (65 and older).
of the brain occurs. There is a progressive decline which results in abnormal movements. Statistics show that Huntington’s disease may affect 10 per 100,000 people of Western European descent.
disease typically found in people over the age of 65 years. Worldwide, approximately 24 million people have dementia
; 60% of these cases are due to Alzheimer’s. The ultimate cause is unknown. The clinical sign of Alzheimer’s is progressive cognition deterioration.
. It is a condition where the patient is awake, but suffers from paralysis of all or nearly all voluntary muscles of the body and cannot communicate or move. Causes of locked-in syndrome may be: traumatic brain injury, circulatory system disease, nerve cell damage, and overdose of medication.
, meaning that the myelin sheath of neuron
s is damaged. Symptoms of MS include: visual and sensation problems, muscle weakness, and depression
.
is a disease that is caused by the invasion of a micro-organism or virus.
.
, hypospadias
, and spina bifida
. Children born with structural defects may have malformed limbs, heart problems, and facial abnormalities.
is an abnormal growth of body tissue. In beginning, tumors can be non-cancerous, but if they are malignant, they are cancerous. In general, they appear when there is a problem with cellular division. Problems with the body’s immune system
can lead to tumors.
is blocked by a blood clot or when a blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak to the brain. If the brain cannot get enough oxygen and blood, brain cells can die, leading to permanent damage.
and symptoms. Some include: persistent headache, loss of feeling, memory loss, loss of muscle strength, tremors, seizures, and slurred speech. One should seek medical attention if affected by these.
or prescribed medications.
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
(myelopathy
Myelopathy
Myelopathy refers to pathology of the spinal cord. When due to trauma, it is known as spinal cord injury. When inflammatory, it is known as myelitis. Disease that is vascular in nature is known as vascular myelopathy....
) or brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
(encephalopathy
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy means disorder or disease of the brain. In modern usage, encephalopathy does not refer to a single disease, but rather to a syndrome of global brain dysfunction; this syndrome can be caused by many different illnesses.-Terminology:...
), both part of the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
. The central nervous system controls behaviors in the human body, so this can be a fatal illness.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord transmits sensory reception from the peripheral nervous systemPeripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system to the limbs and organs. Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by the bone of spine and skull, or by the blood–brain...
. It also conducts motor information to the body's skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves along the spinal cord. These nerves each contain both sensory and motor axon
Axon
An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body or soma....
s. The spinal cord is protected by vertebrae, and connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain, and it acts as a "minor" coordinating center.
Brain
The brain apprehends signals from the spinal cord as well as the olfactory nerves (or the first cranial nerve) and optic nerves. It allows the body to function. The brain is protected by the skull; however, if the brain is damaged, the results to the human body can be very consequential.Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is usually caused by a foreign substance or a viral infection. Symptoms for this disease include: headache, neck pain, drowsiness, nausea, and fever. If caused by the West Nile virusWest Nile virus
West Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic...
, it may be lethal to humans, as well as birds and horses.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meningesMeninges
The meninges is the system of membranes which envelopes the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The primary function of the meninges and of the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.-Dura...
(membranes) of the brain and spinal cord. It is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Fever, vomiting, and a stiff neck are all symptoms of meningitis.
Tropical spastic paraparesis
Troby a virus that can also cause leukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, a disease of the bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
.
Arachnoid cysts
Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluidCerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid , Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear, colorless, bodily fluid, that occupies the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord...
covered by arachnoidal cells that may develop on the brain or spinal cord. They are a congenital disorder
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
and in some cases may not show symptoms. However, if there is a large cyst, symptoms may include headache, seizures, ataxia
Ataxia
Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum...
(lack of muscle control), hemiparesis
Hemiparesis
Hemiparesis is weakness on one side of the body. It is less severe than hemiplegia - the total paralysis of the arm, leg, and trunk on one side of the body. Thus, the patient can move the impaired side of his body, but with reduced muscular strength....
, and several others. Macrocephaly
Macrocephaly
Macrocephaly , occurs when the head is abnormally large; this includes the scalp, the cranial bone, and the contents of the cranium.-Causes:...
and ADHD are common among children, while pre-senile dementia, hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus , also known as "water in the brain," is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head,...
(an abnormality of the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid), and urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life. Urinary incontinence almost always results from an underlying treatable medical condition but is under-reported to medical practitioners...
are symptoms for elderly patients (65 and older).
Huntington's
Huntington's disease is a rare neurological disorder that is inherited. Degeneration of neuronal cells in the frontal lobeFrontal lobe
The frontal lobe is an area in the brain of humans and other mammals, located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere and positioned anterior to the parietal lobe and superior and anterior to the temporal lobes...
of the brain occurs. There is a progressive decline which results in abnormal movements. Statistics show that Huntington’s disease may affect 10 per 100,000 people of Western European descent.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerativeNeurodegeneration
Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. As research progresses, many...
disease typically found in people over the age of 65 years. Worldwide, approximately 24 million people have dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
; 60% of these cases are due to Alzheimer’s. The ultimate cause is unknown. The clinical sign of Alzheimer’s is progressive cognition deterioration.
Locked-in syndrome
Locked-in syndrome is due to a lesion on the brain stem, damaging the ponsPons
The pons is a structure located on the brain stem, named after the Latin word for "bridge" or the 16th-century Italian anatomist and surgeon Costanzo Varolio . It is superior to the medulla oblongata, inferior to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In humans and other bipeds this means it...
. It is a condition where the patient is awake, but suffers from paralysis of all or nearly all voluntary muscles of the body and cannot communicate or move. Causes of locked-in syndrome may be: traumatic brain injury, circulatory system disease, nerve cell damage, and overdose of medication.
Parkinson's
Parkinson’s affects the motor skills and speech. Symptoms may include bradykinesia (slow physical movement), muscle rigidity, and tremors. Behavior, thinking, and sensation disorders are non-motor symptoms.Tourette's
Tourette's syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder. Early onset may be during childhood, and is characterized by physical tics and verbal tics. The exact cause of Tourette's, other than genetic factors, is unknown.Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory demyelinating diseaseDemyelinating disease
A demyelinating disease is any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged. This impairs the conduction of signals in the affected nerves, causing impairment in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved.The term...
, meaning that the myelin sheath of neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s is damaged. Symptoms of MS include: visual and sensation problems, muscle weakness, and depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
.
Trauma
Any type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or injury done to the spinal cord can result in a wide spectrum of disabilities in a person. Depending on the section of the brain or spinal cord that suffers the trauma the outcome may be anticipated.Infections
Infectious diseases are transmitted in several ways. Some of these infections may affect the brain or spinal cord directly. Generally, an infectionInfection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
is a disease that is caused by the invasion of a micro-organism or virus.
Degeneration
Degenerative spinal disorders involve a loss of function in the spine. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves may be associated with herniation or disc displacement. Brain degeneration also causes central nervous system diseases. Studies have shown that obese people may have severe degeneration in the brain due to loss of tissue affecting cognitionCognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
.
Structural defects
Common structural defects include: birth defects, anencephalyAnencephaly
Anencephaly is a cephalic disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the cephalic end of the neural tube fails to close, usually between the 23rd and 26th day of pregnancy, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp...
, hypospadias
Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a birth defect of the urethra in the male that involves an abnormally placed urinary meatus...
, and spina bifida
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through...
. Children born with structural defects may have malformed limbs, heart problems, and facial abnormalities.
Tumors
A tumorTumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
is an abnormal growth of body tissue. In beginning, tumors can be non-cancerous, but if they are malignant, they are cancerous. In general, they appear when there is a problem with cellular division. Problems with the body’s immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
can lead to tumors.
Autoimmune disorders
An autoimmune disorder is a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. This is caused by harmful substances, called antigens.Stroke
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to the brain. Approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. This can happen when a blood vesselBlood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
is blocked by a blood clot or when a blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak to the brain. If the brain cannot get enough oxygen and blood, brain cells can die, leading to permanent damage.
Signs and symptoms
Every disease has different signsMedical sign
A medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected by a physician during a physical examination of a patient....
and symptoms. Some include: persistent headache, loss of feeling, memory loss, loss of muscle strength, tremors, seizures, and slurred speech. One should seek medical attention if affected by these.
Treatments
There is a wide range of treatments for central nervous system diseases. These can range from surgery to rehabilitationPhysical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
or prescribed medications.
External links
- http://www.health-cares.net/
- http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/med532/Disease_index.htm
- http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/CNS/CNSDG.html
- http://www.gfmer.ch/selected_images_v2/level2_disease.php?cat1=3&stype=n