Definition Leukodystrophies are a group of disorders that cause deterioration of the white matter, or myelin, in the brain. The term Leukodystrophy is derived from the prefix leuko, meaning white, and the word dystrophy, meaning imperfect growth. Therefore, Leukodystrophies are characterized by imperfect growth of the white matter in the …
Read More »Subdural Hematoma – Description, Causes, and Treatment.
Description A subdural hematoma is the pooling of blood (hematoma) underneath the dura (subdural), the covering of the brain. This bleeding occurs when the blood vessels that bridge the subdural space, the area between the brain and the dura, are ruptured. The condition, if left untreated, can result in an …
Read More »Neuropathic Pain – Causes, Complications, and Prevention
Definition Neuropathic pain is defined as pain caused by a lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. There is no noxious (pain causing) stimulus that is causing the pain. Rather, the pain results from inappropriate signals in the nervous system. Unlike physiologic pain, which serves to warn and protect individuals …
Read More »Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) – Definition, Causes, and Treatment.
Definition Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a form of the genetically inherited disorder that is characterized by abnormalities in the person’s brain functioning. The disorder represents a varied group of related disorders and is commonly inherited as a dominant trait, meaning that people who carry one of the various different gene …
Read More »Rett Syndrome – Description, Risk factors, Pathophysiology.
Description Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. It is characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability. Although …
Read More »Krabbe disease (Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy)- Causes and Treatment
Definition Krabbe disease is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and stiffness, feeding problems, slowed mental and physical development, vision loss, and seizures. It involves the deficiency in the enzyme galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which is important in the growth and maintenance of myelin, the protective covering around the nerve …
Read More »Diabetic Neuropathy- Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Description In general, the term neuropathy refers to damage to the nerves. Diabetic neuropathy is defined as the damage of nerves which occurs as a result of diabetes. Since the diabetic condition is having prolonged high blood glucose levels, nerves are much prone to damage. It affects the different locations …
Read More »Tay- Sachs disease- Definition, Causes and Treatment
Definition Tay- Sachs disease is a genetic disorder that destroys the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It is caused by the deficiency of an enzyme hexosaminidase A. Thus it accumulates much fat and lipids called as gangliosides in brain and nerve cells. This leads to loss …
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