Neurological Disorders Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Cerebral aneurysm Cerebral aneurysm Aneurysm in the brain Definition An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a section of a blood vessel. When an aneurysm occurs in the brain, it is called a cerebral aneurysm. Alternative Names Aneurysm - cerebral; Cerebral aneurysm Causes, incidence, and risk factors Aneurysms in the brain occur when there is a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel. They may occur as a congenital (present from before birth) defect or may develop later in life. It is estimated that 5% of the population has some type of aneurysm in the brain. A saccular aneurysm (berry aneurysm) can vary in size from a few millimeters to over a centimeter. Giant berry aneurysms can reach well over 2 centimeters. The aneurysm resembles a sack of blood attached to one side of the blood vessel by a narrow neck. These are more common in adults. Multiple berry aneurysms are not unusual. Other types of cerebral aneurysm may involve widening (dilatation) of the entire circumference of the blood vessel in an area, or may appear as a ballooning out of part of a blood vessel. These types of aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel that supplies the brain. Trauma and infection, which can injure the blood vessel wall, can cause such aneurysms. Risk factors include a family history of cerebral aneurysms, and some medical problems, including polycystic kidney disease and coarctation of the aorta. Symptoms Aneurysms usually cause no symptoms unless they rupture and cause bleeding into the brain. Continue reading this article

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Migraine (6 Videos, 5 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head. Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, usually vision disturbances, that serve as a warning sign that a bad headache is coming. Most people, however, do not have such warning signs. See also: Headache; Mixed tension migraine (features of both a migraine and tension headache. Reviewer: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/27/2008
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Tension headache (1 Video, 4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A tension headache is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas. Reviewer: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/19/2008
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Cluster headaches (1 Video, 4 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cluster headaches affect one side of the head (unilateral) and may involve tearing of the eyes and a stuffy nose. The headaches occur repeatedly every day at the same time for several weeks and then go away. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/10/2006
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Benign positional vertigo Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Benign positional vertigo causes sudden sensations of spinning, typically provoked by head movement. See also: Vertigo Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/06/2007
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Stroke (11 Videos, 11 Images, 1 Slideshow) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (3/15/2007).Date: 03/21/2008
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Alzheimer's disease (8 Videos, 1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one form of dementia, is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. It¿affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Memory impairment is a necessary feature for the diagnosis of this or any type of dementia. Change in one of the following areas must also be present: language, decision-making ability, judgment, attention, and other areas of mental function and personality. The rate of progression is different for each person. If AD develops rapidly, it is likely to continue to progress rapidly. If it has been slow to progress, it will likely continue on a slow course. Reviewer: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/13/2008
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Epilepsy (8 Videos, 4 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving repeated spontaneous seizures of any type. Reviewer: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/29/2008
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Seizures (6 Videos) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A seizure is a sudden change in behavior due to an excessive electrical activity in the brain. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/06/2007
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Multiple sclerosis (5 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease¿that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord.¿ Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/06/2007
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Parkinson's disease (10 Videos, 2 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. Reviewer: Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (May 2006)Date: 05/10/2007
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Cerebral palsy (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that involve loss of movement or loss of other nerve function. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, NeuroscienceInstitute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/07/2006
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a form of brain damage that causes a rapid decrease of mental function and movement. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/06/2007
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Brain tumor - children (1 Video, 2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children. See also: Brain tumor - metastatic (cancer that has spread to the brain; Brain tumor - adults. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/31/2006
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Meningitis (1 Video, 6 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Meningitis is a bacterial or non-bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Reviewer: Arnold L. Lentnek, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
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Encephalitis (1 Video) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Encephalitis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the brain, usually caused by infections. See also meningitis. Reviewer: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/07/2006
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West Nile virus (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitos. The condition ranges from mild to severe. Reviewer: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/25/2006
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that are responsible for voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/07/2006
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Spinal muscular atrophy (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Spinal muscular atrophy is a group of inherited diseases that cause progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, eventually leading to death. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/10/2006
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Spinal cord trauma (1 Video, 3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/14/2006
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Peripheral neuropathy (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This produces pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles. "Peripheral" means nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord; "Neuro" means nerves; "Pathy" means abnormal. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/07/2006
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Guillain-Barre syndrome (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a¿serious disorder that¿occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness, which continues to get worse. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/28/2006
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Spinal cord trauma (1 Video, 3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/14/2006
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