1. Neurological Disorders

2. During this presentation we will cover…
Huntington’s
Encephalitis
Menegitis
Alzheimer’s
Parkinsons
Spina Bifita
Tourette’s
Prions/Crutchfield Jacob’s
Epilepsy
Concussions
Stroke
Brain Cancer
Mononeuropathy
Polyneuropathy

3. Huntington’s Disease
A genetic disease that causes degeneration of brain cells in certain areas of the brain, it is also known as Huntington’s Chorea
It can only be transmitted genetically
Early symptoms are mood swings, depression, irritability or trouble driving, learning new things, remembering a fact, or making a decision
Later symptoms are intellectual tasks become increasingly difficult and the patient may have difficulty feeding himself or herself and swallowing.

4. Huntington’s Disease There is no cure for Huntington’s
Treatments are meant to lessen the symptoms of mental instability, pain, and depression
Length of the disease and progression varies from person to person
Can be diagnosed through symtoms, CT, PET, and MRI scans
Can be diagnosed through genetic screening, if you have Hungtion’s your children have a 50% chance of getting the disease

5. Huntington’s Disease

6. Encephalitis
The inflammation of the brain, most often caused by viral infections
Elderly and young children/babies are more likely to get the disease
As the brain tissue swells, nerves may become damaged and bleeding can occur, both of these can lead to permanent brain damage

7. Encephalitis
Initial/early symptoms of the disease resemble that of the flu
Severe/emergency symptoms include loss of consciousness, seizure, sudden mental impairment
It is treated with antivirals, antibiotics, anti-seizure medication, sedatives and steroids

8. Encephalitis

9. Meningitis
It is the inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal chord
The viral version is less severe than the bacterial version
The bacterial version is preventable through the meningitis vaccine

10. Meningitis
Some minor symptoms can come across as flu like: fever/chills, vomiting, stiff neck and headache
Severe symptoms include rapid breathing, loss of consciousness, agitation, and strange posture
Meningitis can result in death or permanent brain damage if not treated soon enough with antibiotics, IV fluid, and steroids.

11. Meningitis

12. Alzheimer’s
It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.
It is the most common form of dementia
It is a progressive disease, so symptoms get worse over time
It is not a normal part of aging
It can onset as early as the 40’s but most commonly appears in the late 60’s or early 70’s of an individual

13. Alzheimer’s
Results in the continual degeneration and death of brain cells
The primary cause of it is uncertain. Scientists do know it is a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
Risk Factors: Age, Family History, Female gender, Cognitive Impairment, Activity Level (both physical and mental), Smoking, Heart health

14. Alzheimer’s
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s at this time, doctors can prescribe drugs that boost brain cell communication but this is only effective in the initial stages of the disease. Death will occur eventually
1 in 85 is predicted to have Alzheimers
Is diagnosed through symptoms, CT, MRI, and PET scans

15. Alzheimer’s

16. Parkinson’s It is a motor system disorder
It is caused by the loss of dopamine producing brain cells
Results in loss of muscle control
Common symptoms of this are: tremor, impaired balance, stiffness, lack of coordination in movements, trouble speaking

17. Parkinson’s
Scientists unsure of direct cause of damage to dopamine producing brain cells
Stress, physical damage, gender, exposure to toxins and genetics all are contributing factors
Seen in 1% of the population that is over 60 and 4% of the population that is over 80
Usually diagnosed through symptoms and MRI
Can be treated with surgery, physical therapy, and medication (things that are converted to dopamine or mimic it)

18. Parkinson’s Does not necessarily lead to death
Famous people with Parkinsons
Michael J. Fox, Muhammed Ali, Billy Kennedy, Billy Graham

19. Spina Bifida
It is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth
Can be mild or severe
Mild form, which is most common, cannot be detected without X-ray and does not create problems
Severe form has two types
Meningocele, fluid leaks out of spine and pushes against skin
Myelomeningocele, most severe, nerves push out of spine and become damaged. Creates problems with walking, bowel/bladder control, learning disabilities and muscle coordination

20. Spina Bifida
Cause is unknown, Genes and birth history play a role. Mother’s health plays contributes towards likelihood.
Individuals with it can have a normal life, 10% of the population has the mild form of the disease.
Individuals with the most severe form of the disease have the ability to live up to with modern medicine

21. Spina Bifida
Treatments can range from surgery, orthotics, physical/occupational therapy, catheterization

22. Tourette’s
a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics
most people with the condition experience their worst tic symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood

23. Tourette’s
The direct cause of the disorder, it effects multiple regions of the brain which use multiple types of neurotransmitters. Genetics due play a contributing role. Neuroleptics, stimulants, and blood pressure medication can be used to alleviate some of the tics

24. Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s
Prions are proteins, when they take on an infectious form they clump together and attack brain tissue
Creutzfeldt Jakob’s disease is where through bacterial or viral infection prions convert to an infectious form and attack the brain.
Believed to be caused by a slow virus or another organism, but scientists have yet to find it. 5-10% of the cases are genetic

25. Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s
Mad Cow, also known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis was considered a variant form of Creutzfeldt Jakob’s, but their prions while both infectious were slightly different
Kuru is another version of spongiform encephalopathy where after consuming brain tissue of an individual with the disease the consumers prions become infectious and attack the brain

26. Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s
Diagnosed through symptoms and ruling out all other causes of mental instability. Only true way to diagnose as specifically Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s is through autopsy
Symptoms include progressive dementia: muscle coordination, personality change, impaired memory/judgement, muscle jerks and blindness.
Always will result in death

27. Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s

28. Prion’s / Creutzfeldt Jakob’s

29. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures (convulsions) over time.
Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes in brain tissue cause the brain to be too excitable or jumpy.
Causes: Stroke, Dementia, Brain Injury, HIV, AIDS, Congenital Birth Defects, Metabolism, Brain Tumor, Abnormal Brain Blood Vessels, Illnesses that damage or destroy brain tissue.

30. Epilepsy
Some people may have simple staring spells, while others have violent shaking and loss of alertness
Seizure types
Absence seizure: prolonged staring
Grand Mal seizure: convulsions and shaking of body
Partial seizure: part of the brain becomes unresponsive

31. Epilepsy
Can be diagnosed through EEG, blood chemistry, blood count, liver function test, kidney function test, lumbar function test, CT scan, MRI
Treatment can be anti-seizure medication, surgery to remove brain cells or repair abnormal blood vessels, implantation of VNS

32. Epilepsy
Can live a normal lifespan with condition, if not caused by a more severe disease
Symptoms normally lessen with age and treatment

33. Concussions
Concussions are considered to be any traumatic brain injury that alters the way the brain functions.
Effects are most often temporary, but repeated concussions will lead to permanent brain damage

34. Concussions Signs and symptoms a concussion may have occurred Headache
Loss of consciousness
Confusion
Amnesia on the event that caused the injury
Dizziness
Ringing in ears
Nausea and vomiting
Slurred speech
Tiredness/Fatigue

35. Concussions
What occurs in a concussion is the brain accelerates into the wall of the skull rapidly resulting in it hitting the skull
To diagnose a concussion doctors will give you a neurological exam to test memory/coordination, vision, hearing, strength/sensation, balance, coordination, reflexes
CT scan
Observation

36. Concussions Repeated concussions can result in Epilepsy
Progressive cognitive impairment
Second Impact Syndrome

37. Stroke
A stroke is when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which in turn kills brain cells.
Signs that someone is having a stroke or has just had one
Trouble walking
Trouble speaking or understanding
Paralysis or numbness on one side of the body/face
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Headache

38. Stroke There are two main types of stroke Ischemic and Hemorrhagic
Ischemic-makes up for 90% of strokes, can be thrombotic when a clot forms in one of the arteries that supplies blood to the brain or embolic when a clot occurs in a blood vessel away from the brain usually the heart, blood ends up pooling and not getting to the brain

39. Stroke
Hemorrhagic-occurs when blood vessel leaks or ruptures, can occur inside the brain (intracerebral) or on the surface of the brain (subarachnoid)
Risk factors for stroke- family history, 55+, High B.P., High Cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight/obese, physical inactivity, heart disease, hormone medication, binge drinking, use of cocaine or methamphetamines

40. Stroke
Strokes will not lead to death but can lead to permanent or temporary brain damage
Paralysis
Difficulty walking/talking/understanding
Pain
Change in Behavior and Self Care
(Physical and occupational therapy will help improve the above complications

41. Brain Cancer Mass of abnormal cells growing in/on brain
Can be benign or malignant
Some growths start in brain, others spread from spine/other parts of body

42. Brain Cancer 9 types of brain cancer
Infiltrative astrocytoma
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Oligodendroglioma
Mixed oligoastrocytoma
Glioblastoma multiforme
Ependymoma
Medulloblastoma
Meningioma
Infiltrative astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) account for nearly 85% of all brain tumors

43. Brain Cancer SYMPTOMS OF BRAIN TUMORS
Frequent headaches that are more painful when lying down
Vomiting, with or without nausea
Blurred or double vision
Seizures
Impaired thinking, mental confusion, or even coma

44. Brain Cancer
Diagnosed through CT, PET or MRI scans; spinal tap, biopsy, Electroencephalograph, or Cerebral arteriograph
Brain cancer is treated with radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, steroids, and anti-convulsant medication
People can survive brain cancer depending on the tumor type and how soon it is treated, but it also can result in death even if treatment occurs.

45. Mononeuropathy
Mononeuropathy is a type of damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
Mononeuropathy is most often caused by injury, although body-wide disorders may cause isolated nerve damage.
Long-term pressure on a nerve due to swelling or injury can result in mononeuropathy

46. Mononeuropathy
Symptoms depend on the specific nerve affected, and may include:
Loss of sensation
Paralysis
Tingling, burning, pain, abnormal sensations
Weakness

47. Mononeuropathy
Is diagnosed through EMG, nerve conduction test, nerve biopsy, MRI, CT Scan, thyroid test, blood test,
Treated with physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication, orthothics,
Mononeuropathy can result in permanent pain, loss of movement or sensation

48. Polyneuropathy
Polyneuropathy is a condition where nerve damage affects several areas
The nerve damage results from either poor blood supply to the area or abnormal functioning of the nerve
Diabetes is the major cause of chronic polyneuropathy, also result from old age, certain drugs, AIDS, and alcoholism.

49. Polyneuropathy
Symptoms depend on the specific nerve affected, and may include:
Loss of sensation
Paralysis
Tingling, burning, pain, abnormal sensations
Weakness

50. Polyneuropathy
Is diagnosed through EMG, nerve conduction test, nerve biopsy, MRI, CT Scan, thyroid test, blood test,
Treated with physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication, orthothics, vitamin treatment
Polyneuropathy can result in permanent pain, loss of movement or sensation