Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a generative disorder of the brain in which nerve cells die over time, causing a progressive decline in the ability to move on or both sides of the body. This neurological disorder shares many symptoms with Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms typically occur after the age of 60, and generally begin with clumsiness and slowness of a limb on one side of the body. As the disease progresses, symptoms which appeared on only one side of the body may begin to affect both sides. Symptoms which indicate disorder progression include myoclonus (jerkiness of a limb), difficulty controlling a limb that seems to move on its own, difficulty with speech generation and articulation, problems swallowing, difficulty walking, abnormal muscle postures, loss of ability to make familiar and purposeful movements, an absence of movement, rigidity, cognitive and behavioral problems and sensory loss.
Patients suffering from corticobasal degeneration will be diagnosed based on the severity of symptoms. They may be required to take numerous tests, such as mental status and neuropsychological assessments, speech and language assessments, psychiatric tests, blood tests, head scans such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and others, depending on the results of previous tests. Other tests include an electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG), urine tests, and tests on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by a lumbar puncture.
Currently, there is no found cure for corticobasal degeneration. However, several medications and many non-medication approaches have been created to improve daily functioning and quality of life. A coordinated approach to treatment options is key to effective management.
Many patients suffering from corticobasal degeneration can often benefit from physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Hydrocephalus is a brain disorder that typically occurs in children. It is an excess of fluid in the brain which builds up because of an obstruction that prevents proper drainage. The fluid build-up can compress surrounding brain tissue, causing brain damage. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.
Once known as “water on the brain,” this disorder is sometimes present at birth, although it also may develop later. 1 out of 500 children are born with the disorder. Its outlook depends on how quickly the condition is diagnosed and whether any underlying disorders are present.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary by age group and the progression of the disease. In infants, common symptoms include: an unusually large head, a rapid increase in the size of the head, a bulging “soft spot” on top of the head, vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, seizures, eyes fixed downward and development delay. For older children and adults, symptoms include headache followed by vomiting, nausea, blurred or double vision, eyes fixed downward, problems with balance and coordination, sluggishness or lack of energy, memory loss, confusing, urinary incontinence, irritability, changes in personality and impaired performance in school or work. It is very important to see a doctor when experiencing any, or especially a combination of these symptoms.
The exact cause for hydrocephalus is unknown. However, risk factors include severe bleeding within the ventricles of the brain, an infection within the uterus and problems in fetal development, lesions or tumors of the brain or spinal cord, central nervous system infections and severe head injury.
In infants, hydrocephalus is usually diagnosed during gestation as part of a routine prenatal ultrasound, or during infancy when the head is regularly measured as part of growth monitoring. For children and adults, hydrocephalus is diagnosed through a careful medical history examination, a physical and neurological examination, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Hydrocephalus is treated with surgical procedures such as shunt placement or ventriculostomy. Shunt placement consists of a long flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate. It moves excess fluids from the brain to another part of the body where it can be more easily absorbed, such as the abdomen. A ventriculostomy is a procedure where a surgeon makes a hole in the bottom of one of the brain ventricles to allow the fluids to flow toward the base of the brain, where normal absorption occurs.
Meningiomas, the medical term for brain tumors, are a very serious medical condition. Diagnosis usually begins with a neurological exam. During the exam, the neurologist checks vision, hearing, balance, coordination and reflexes. Depending on the results, other tests may be recommended.
The symptoms of a meningioma include headaches, problems with memory and concentration, personality changes, vision problems such as blurred or double vision, gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or leg, loss of balance or hearing, difficulty swallowing, drowsiness, seizures and a decreased sense of smell. As tumors may develop and grow quickly, it is extremely important to seek medical attention when experiencing any of these symptoms.
Upon diagnosis, a CT scan, MRI scan, angiogram, x-rays and/or a biopsy may be performed. A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a sophisticated X-ray machine linked to a computer to produce detailed, two-dimensional images of the brain. The patient lies still on a movable table that’s guided into what looks like an enormous doughnut where the images are taken. A special dye may be injected into the bloodstream after a few CT scans are taken. The dye helps make tumors more visible on X-ray. A CT scan is painless and generally takes less than 10 minutes. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses magnetic fields to generate images of the brain. The patient lies inside a cylindrical machine for approximately an hour. MRI scans are particularly useful in diagnosing brain tumors because they outline the normal brain structures in great detail. Sometimes a special dye is injected into the bloodstream during the procedure (MRI angiogram). The dye can help distinguish tumors from healthy tissue. An angiogram involves injecting a special dye into the arteries that go to the brain. The dye, which flows through the blood vessels in the brain, can be seen on X-ray. This test helps locate blood vessels in and around a brain tumor. MRI angiograms can often be done in place of this test. An X-ray of the head can show alterations in skull bones that could indicate a tumor. It can also show calcium deposits, which are sometimes associated with brain tumors. A biopsy is usually required to diagnose a brain tumor and confirm its type. In a biopsy, a piece of tumor is removed for examination under a microscope. A biopsy can be performed separately or as part the surgery to remove the tumor.
Treatment involves surgically removing the tumor. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be necessary.
Devic’s disease (also known as Neuromyelitis optica or NMO) is a rare disorder similar to multiple sclerosis (MS). It is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that causes episodes of inflammation and damage to the myelin, the fatty, protective covering of the nerves, in the eye and the spinal chord. It may cause temporary or permanent blindness, in one or both eyes, varying degrees of weakness or paralysis in the legs and arms, painful spasms, loss of sensation, and bladder or bowel dysfunction. Devic’s disease is most common in women. The onset varies from childhood to adulthood.
The main symptoms of Devic’s disease are a rapid, intense decrease in vision in either or both eyes, diminished light sensitivity, loss of color vision, loss of sensation, numbness, loss of bladder control, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness.
The outcome of this disease is highly variable, depending on whether there is a tendency for relapses to occur after the initial symptoms. The major risk to patients is severe damage to the upper spinal cord, which can lead to the inability to breathe on one’s own. Some patients seem to enter a long period of time where the disease remains stable.
Diagnosis of Devic’s disease requires several steps. First, a neurological examination is needed to examine parts of the nervous system such as muscle strength, reflexes, coordination and balance, sensation, vision and speech. Then, a 45 minute Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) scan is done in order to examine the neck, spinal cord, soft tissues and brain. Evoked potentials, to test and record the brain’s responses to sound, touch and light are then performed using a gel to position small disks on the scalp and in some cases, the earlobes, neck, shoulders and back. This testing is harmless, painless and very sensitive in detecting damaged areas in the brain. In some cases, a spinal tap is necessary. In this procedure, a physician uses a thin, hollow needle to remove small samples of fluid from within the spinal canal.
Short-term treatment of Devic’s disease includes medication to manage acute attacks and prevent future ones. Currently, there have not been any controlled clinical trials that have proven effectiveness of any long-term treatment. However, plasma exchange may be a long-term option. Plasma exchange is a procedure that involves removing some blood and mechanically separating the blood cells from the fluid. Blood cells then are mixed with a replacement solution, such as albumin or a synthetic fluid with properties like plasma. The solution with the blood is then returned to the body. This works in approximately 40 percent of patients.
According to NorthShore University HealthSystem, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of mental decline, also known as dementia. This disorder damages the brain and causes a steady loss of memory, meanwhile affecting judgment, intelligence, behavior and the ability to speak, think, work and do daily activities.
Alzheimer’s disease becomes worse over time; however, the speed at which it does so varies for different people. For example, some people become unable to carry on daily activities at early onset of the disease, while others are able to manage fairly well until much later into the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by changes in the brain. The direct cause is still unknown; however scientists have discovered that the disorder is due to a buildup of proteins in the brain that lead to a loss of neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of the brain).
The disorder is most common in people over the age of 60. People who have a family history of Alzheimer’s have a high risk of developing the disease. Other risks include head injury, a hard fall and history of heart disease.
Although it is common to experience mild memory loss with age, it is important to see a doctor when experiencing new, frequent forms of memory loss. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include having trouble making decisions, confusion about the time and date, getting lost in well-known places, trouble learning and remembering new information, trouble finding the right words to say and more trouble doing daily tasks such as cooking or paying bills. As Alzheimer’s gets worse, people may develop sundowning, or getting restless and wandering in late afternoon and at night. They may also start to act very differently, withdrawing from family and friends, hallucinating, falsely believing others are lying, cheating, using or trying to harm them, and frequently lashing out at others.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, doctors will prescribe certain medicines to help with memory, thinking, and confusion.
For more information, as well as treatment options, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.
According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple system atrophy is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, and a rare disorder. It is a progressive, adult-onset disease that affects many areas of the brain, as well as their associated systems in the body.
Patients with multiple system atrophy have a high chance of developing widespread damage to the nervous system. This is because multiple system atrophy causes autonomic dysfunction, preventing the systems of the body which are not under conscious control, such as blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, digestion and sexual function.
Symptoms of multiple system atrophy include changes in facial expression, such as a “mask” appearance to the face, inability to close the mouth and staring, difficulty chewing or swallowing, disrupted sleep patterns, dizziness, frequent falling, fainting, loss of motor skills or overall control of the body, muscle aches and pains, nausea, problems with digestion, posture difficulties, slow movements, tremors, and voice and speech changes. These symptoms may lead to others, such as confusion, dementia, depression, and sleep-related breathing difficulties.
Multiple system atrophy is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60. Doctors will check blood pressure and run eye and nerve examinations in order to diagnose the disease. Currently there is no treatment for multiple system atrophy. However, patients are given medication to help control symptoms.
For more information on multiple system atrophy, visit the Neurosciences Department of NorthShore University HealthSystem.
More than 35 million Americans suffer from insomnia, a condition that makes falling and staying asleep extremely difficult. Brief episodes of insomnia, resulting from things such as death of a loved one or a new school year starting are considered normal. However, if insomnia lasts more than a month, it may require treatment.
Some people have a genetic vulnerability to insomnia. These people usually have short sleep requirements and are very sensitive to noise or light when trying to fall asleep. Psychological factors are also prominent in insomnia causes. People experiencing stress, anxiety, psychiatric disorders or depression are more likely to develop insomnia. By the development of tolerance over time, sometimes sleeping pills contribute to insomnia.
Symptoms of insomnia become prominent when it interferes with daytime functioning. Daytime effects include difficulty waking up in the morning, sleepiness during the day, trouble concentrating, irritability, depression and anxiety. It is treated with stress reduction techniques and therapy. Most patients see improvement within a few weeks of learning techniques and starting therapy. Sometimes short-term medication is also prescribed.
For more information on insomnia and other neurological disorders, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.
NorthShore University HealthSystem will be holding an online live chat on stress management. The chat, “How to Keep Stress from Ruining Your Health”, will be held on Thursday, January 21st at 11am CST.
A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain burst (ischemic stroke) or are blocked (hemorrhagic stroke). When a blood clot blocks blood vessels or a vessel bleeds into brain tissue, the brain does not receive oxygen and fails to work properly, preventing parts of the body from working properly as well. About 80% of strokes are triggered by a blood clot.
Brain damage can occur within minutes of a stroke so it is extremely important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical assistance. Symptoms include: sudden numbness, paralysis, weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body, new problems with walking or balance, sudden vision changes, drooling or slurred speech, new problems speaking or understanding simple statements, feeling confused and sudden, severe headaches that are different from past headaches. A stroke can be diagnosed within 3 hours of experiencing symptoms.
Treatments vary based on the type of stroke. For an ischemic stroke, medicine is given to dissolve blood clots. For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required, as well as other medicines. After having a stroke, stroke therapy may be recommended by your doctor in order to regain mobility.
In order to prevent a stroke, it is important to avoid smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, get at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week, stay at a healthy weight, control your blood pressure and cholesterol level, keep your sugar levels as close to normal as possible if you are diabetic and limit your alcohol intake.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects body movement. While the direct cause of Parkinson’s disease has not yet been discovered, research shows that abnormal genes, aging, and toxins in the environment may be possible causes
Parkinson’s disease occurs when there is a problem with nerve cells in the brain. When these cells begin to break down, the body stops making normal amounts of dopamine, a chemical that allows for muscle control. The less dopamine a person produces, the harder it becomes to move properly.
There are four main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: trembling, stiff muscles, slow movement and problems balancing or walking. Most symptoms are experienced between the ages of 50 and 60.
The disease is diagnosed through a neurological exam, which involves questions and tests to determine proper nerve ability. Currently, treatment for Parkinson’s disease has not been developed. However, there are medicines that help control symptoms and make the disorder easier to live with. Your doctor will prescribe medicines when symptoms get in the way of daily life, and they will adjust them as symptoms gets worse. Sometimes, deep brain simulation may also be used to ease the disorder.
If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are many things you can do to stay independent and healthy. Some of these are eating healthy, getting rest and exercising. Physical and occupational therapy can also help.
For more information on Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorder, visit the Neurosciences Department of NorthShore University HealthSystem.
