Neurological Disorders

Alzheimer's Disease, brain cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, and myasthenia gravis, + different reasons why they may be difficult to treat.

Epilepsy

characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

= neurons malfunction, electrical signals firing uncontrollably

Symptoms:

• Confusion

• Aura (Deja vu, a sense of oncoming)

• Strange Sensations/Emotions

• Convulsions

• Sudden Falls

• Loss of consciousness

• Staring

Focal vs. Generalized Seizure

when a seizure is in one area vs when a seizure spreads across the brain (the more the electrical discharges spread, more neurons malfunction, more intense the symptoms)

Mutation in ion channel —> enhanced excitability (more AP)

What causes epilepsy?

Epilepsy is difficult to treat because various underlying triggers —> hard to find the right treatment for each individual

ex.

• genetic factors,

• brain injuries,

• infections,

• certain medications

Why is epilepsy difficult to treat?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

an auto-immune disorder

• loss of myelin on usually myelinated axons

symptoms

• changes to vision

• muscle weakness, stiffness, and spasms

• numbness/pain

• loss of balance

• difficulty with cognitive function

• mood changes

Why is Multiple Sclerosis difficult to treat?

because each individual with MS experiences it differently, so there isn’t one treatment for everyone, because it would have different effects for each MS patient

also because the underlying cause is not really known, it has been controversial (genetics, environmental factors, etc. ??)

Alzheimer’s Disease

= a neurodegenerative disease

• reduction of neurogenesis (growth of new neurons) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus

• reduction of ability to form new memories

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

• decline in

  • memory

  • reasoning

  • language

  • coordination

  • mood

  • behavior

Parkinson’s Disease

= loss of dopaminergic neurons (neurons that dispel dopamine as their neurotransmitter)

• so less dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (midbrain)

• less dopamine supplied to striatum (subcortical structure)

• leads to disrupted motor movement (motor cortex)

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

• Early Non-motor symptoms

  • loss of smell

  • drooling

  • constipation

  • sleep problems (ex. restless leg syndrome)

  • mask-like facial expressions

• motor symptoms

  • slowed movements

  • tremors

  • rigid/stiffness

  • autonomic nervous system issues:

    • less blinking

    • trouble swallowing

  • unstable posture/uneven gait

Brain Cancer

= mass or abnormal/uncontrollable growth of cells in the brain or near it

Brain Cancer Symptoms

• headaches

• seizures

• nausea/vomiting

• confusion

• blurred vision

• sleep-wake disturbances

• hearing loss

• balance issues