Alzheimer Disease

What is Alzheimer Disease?

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive and behavioral impairment that significantly interferes with social and occupational functioning. It is an incurable disease with a long preclinical period and progressive course.  What is the Pathology of Alzheimer Disease?…
Neurodegenerative Diseases

What are Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Neurodegenerative diseases are degenerative nerve diseases that affect balance, movement, talking, breathing, and heart function. Many of these diseases are genetic. Most of them have no cure.  Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include: Alzheimer disease Frontotemporal degeneration Parkinson diseaseAtypical parkinsonism syndromes Multiple system atrophy Huntington…
Central Pontine Myelinolysis

What is Central Pontine Myelinolysis?

Central pontine myelinolysis is a neurological disorder that most frequently occurs after too rapid medical correction of sodium deficiency. The rapid rise in sodium concentration is accompanied by the movement of small molecules and pulls water from brain cells. The…
Neuromyelitis Optica

What is Neuromyelitis Optica?

Neuromyelitis optica is bilateral optic neuritis in the setting of demyelination of the spinal cord. Neuromyelitis optica is also known as Devic’s disease. Neuromyelitis optica occurs when your the body’s immune system reacts against its own cells in the central…
Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is autoimmune inflammatory disease that attacks myelinated axons.  What is the Pathology of Multiple Sclerosis? Etiology: The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown.  Genes involved: HLA region of chromosome 6. Changes in this area increase the probability of…
Demyelinating Diseases

What are Demyelinating Diseases?

Demyelinating diseases are conditions that result in damage to the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. Damage to the myelin sheath can result in delayed or even absent transmission of nerve impulses which may present as neurological problems. Examples of…
Fatal Familial Insomnia

What is Fatal Familial Insomnia?

Fatal familial insomnia is a rare genetic prion disorder that results in trouble sleeping.  What is the Pathology of Fatal Familial Insomnia? Etiology: The cause of fatal familial insomnia is the gene PRNP that provides instructions for making the prion…