What does ALS do to your body? ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a motor neuron disease that causes progressive loss of control over skeletal muscles. The first sign is usually difficulty in performing a particular motor task. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases (MND). The disease...
What is intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring? Intraoperative neurophysical monitoring is one way surgeons can make sure they aren't severing nerves by accident during delicate surgeries. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is the continuous evaluation of a patient’s nervous system during surgery, especially procedures involving the brain and spinal cord. Electrical and electromagnetic sensors connected to the patient via...
What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system, specifically the myelin sheath that insulates and protects nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) by damaging and destroying the protective myelin sheath around...
What is the hippocampus? The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in the brain, the part of the brain that regulates our emotional and behavioral responses. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in the brain, the part of the brain that regulates our emotional and behavioral responses. The hippocampus contributes to learning...
What is Parkinson’s disease? While there is not currently a cure for Parkinson’s disease, many treatment options are available that can help ease your symptoms. Treatments may include medicine, therapy, and even surgery. Parkinson’s disease is the deterioration of brain nerves that control movement. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have a slow onset and get...
What is a lumbar discectomy? In a discectomy, surgeons remove part or all of a damaged disc or discs in the spinal column. A spinal disc is a sponge-like cushion located between the bones of the spine. Discs act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to flex. When a disc ruptures (herniates) it prolapses...
What is the most common head and neck cancer? More than half a million people worldwide are diagnosed with head and neck cancers annually. All cancers start with abnormal uncontrolled growth of cells in part of the body. Cancer in the head and neck region may affect your mouth (oral cavity), tongue, parts of the...
What is a sural nerve block? A sural nerve block is a procedure for anesthetizing a part of the calf, lower leg, heel and foot. An anesthetic solution is injected adjacent to the Achilles tendon on the outer side of the foot. The anesthetic blocks the transmission of pain signals from injury or surgery in...
A CT head scan takes detailed X-rays at different angles of the head and brain to identify conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms, and others. A computerized axial tomography (CAT) or computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a series of X-rays taken at different angles to produce a detailed image of the head and brain. The...
Tourette syndrome may be caused by genetics and environmental factors such as infections. The exact cause of Tourette syndrome isn't known. It is likely to be caused by an interplay between genetic and environmental factors such as certain infections. Recent research on Tourette syndrome has found problems in certain brain regions and neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin,...