nervous system disorders

what is dementia and what is it caused by: 2

• umbrella term that describes a decline in cognitive function

• caused by a loss of brain cells and contribute to additional loss over time

obstructions as a cause of dementia: 2

• injuries that damage or block the blood vessels in the brain

• obstructions deprive parts of the brain from getting oxygen and causes brain cells to die in the deprived areas

alzheimers:

irreversible and destroy brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate (reduction in acetylcholine production)

amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles: 3

• abnormal deposits of protein and tangles that contain tau

• in excess

• tau proteins stabilize microtubules. abundant in neurons of CNS but less common elsewhere

multiple sclerosis: 2

• chronic disease that affects CNS, body’s immune system produces cells and proteins (antibodies) that attack myelin

• cause is unknown.

parkinsons disease: 3

• caused by progressive impairment or deterioration of neurons in an area of the brain known as the substantia nigra.

• tremor and slowed movement, etc

• treated with L dopa or deep brain stimulation of dopamine

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): 2

• causes nerve cells to gradually break down and die

• muscle twitching and weakness is where it begins, but it can take bodily function away over time

meningitis:

inflammation for the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infections and marked by intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, etc

epilepsy: 3

• group of neurological diseases characterized by epileptic seizures

• triggered by disease or injury

• convulsive (more popular) and nonconvulsive (decreased level of consciousness)