Term | Definition |
Hydrocephalus | -Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain. |
Spina Bifida | -Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect). |
Alzheimer Disease (AD) | -Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning. |
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | -Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain-stem. |
Epilepsy | -Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity. |
Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal or Ictal Events) | -Are characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, falling down, and then tonic contractions (stiffening of muscles) followed by clonic contractions (twitching and jerking movements of the limbs). |
Huntington Disease | -Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration. |
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | -Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic. |
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) | -Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles. |
Thymectomy | -Is also a method of treatment and is beneficial to many patients. |
Palsy | -Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function). |
Cerebral Palsy | -Is partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period. |
Bell Palsy (Or Bell's Palsy) | -Is paralysis on one side of the face. |
Parkinson Disease (Parkinsonism) | -Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement. |
Tourette Syndrome | -Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words. |
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | -Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves. |
Meningitis | -Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis. |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Encephalopathy | -Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS. |
Brain Tumor | -Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges. |
Cerebral Concussion | -Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury, usually clearing within 24 hours. |
Cerebral Contusion | -Bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic deficits persist longer than 24 hours. |
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) | -Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke. |
Thrombotic | -Blood clot (thrombus) in the arteries leading to the brain, resulting in occlusion (blocking) of the vessel. |
Embolic | -An embolus (a dislodged thrombus) travels to cerebral arteries and occludes a small vessel. |
Hemorrhagic | -A blood vessel, such as the cerebral artery, breaks and bleeding occurs. |
Aneursym | -Weakened area in the vessel wall that balloons and may eventually burst. |
Migraine | -Severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache. |