Neurological Diseases

Novel mechanisms underlying major childhood neuromuscular disease identified

A study by scientists from the Motor Neuron Center at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) suggests that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic neuromuscular disease in infants and children, results ...

Medical research created Oct 11, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists discover gene behind rare disorders

Scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro, McGill University working with a team at Oxford University have uncovered the genetic defect underlying a group of rare genetic disorders.

Genetics created Oct 09, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Drug reverses abnormal brain function in Rett syndrome mice

A promising study out today in the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience showed that in a mouse model of Rett syndrome, researchers were able to reverse abnormalities in brain activity and improve neurological function by tre ...

Neuroscience created Oct 03, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Crucial advance in stem cell research: Human skin cells converted to neural precursor cells

(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at The University of Auckland's Centre for Brain Research have succeeded in converting human skin cells directly into immature brain cells (or neural precursor cells).

Medical research created Sep 27, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists show biological mechanism can trigger epileptic seizures

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence that a biological mechanism long suspected in epilepsy is capable of triggering the brain seizures – opening the door for studies to seek improved treatments or even ...

Neuroscience created Sep 19, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Toxic protein build-up in blood shines light on Huntington's disease

A new light-based technique for measuring levels of the toxic protein that causes Huntington's disease (HD) has been used to demonstrate that the protein builds up gradually in blood cells. Published today ...

Neuroscience created Sep 17, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Double drug combo could shut down abnormal blood vessel growth that feeds disease

A new study by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College shows combining two already-FDA approved drugs may offer a new and potent punch against diseases in which blood vessel growth is abnormal—such as cancer, diabetic ...

Medical research created Sep 10, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research pinpoints brain's 'Gullibility' center

(HealthDay)—Whether it's an email from an unknown gentleman on another continent pleading for money or a financial scammer selling a promising penny stock, the young and old tend to be more easily duped ...

Neuroscience created Aug 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 8 | with audio podcast

Researchers discover blood biomarker for Lou Gehrig's disease, could lead to new treatments

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) are the first to discover that changes in monocytes (a type of white blood cell) are a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. This finding ...

Medical research created Aug 06, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New drug could treat Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and brain injury

A new class of drug developed at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine shows early promise of being a one-size-fits-all therapy for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic ...

Neuroscience created Jul 24, 2012 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (8) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Research shows nerve stimulation can reorganize brain

(Medical Xpress) -- UT Dallas researchers recently demonstrated how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, can reorganize the brain. This technology could lead to ...

Neuroscience created Jul 19, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Novel immune target identified in multiple sclerosis

(HealthDay) -- About half of a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis have autoantibodies to a potassium channel in the brain, according to a study published in the July 12 issue of the New England Jo ...

Immunology created Jul 12, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Pediatric tumors traced to stem cells in developing brain

Stem cells that come from a specific part of the developing brain help fuel the growth of brain tumors caused by an inherited condition, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.

Cancer created Jul 09, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

In vitro study identifies potential combination therapy for breast cancer

A study conducted at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) demonstrates an effective combination therapy for breast cancer cells in vitro. The findings, published in the July 2012 issue of Anticancer Research, raise ...

Cancer created Jul 02, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers identify role of FOXO1 gene in Parkinson's disease

A recent study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) revealed that the FOXO1 gene may play an important role in the pathological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease. These findings are published ...

Genetics created Jun 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


A neurological disorder is a disorder of the body's nervous system. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can result in a range of symptoms. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness.There are many recognized neurological disorders, some relatively common, but many rare. They may be assessed by neurological examination, and studied and treated within the specialities of neurology and clinical neuropsychology.

Interventions for neurological disorders include preventative measures, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy or other therapy, neurorehabilitation, pain management, medication, or operations performed by neurosurgeons. The World Health Organization estimated in 2006 that neurological disorders and their sequelae (direct consequences) affect as many as one billion people worldwide, and identified health inequalities and social stigma/discrimination as major factors contributing to the associated disability and suffering.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Latest Spotlight News

Researchers identify first drug targets in childhood genetic tumor disorder

Two mutations central to the development of infantile myofibromatosis (IM)—a disorder characterized by multiple tumors involving the skin, bone, and soft tissue—may provide new therapeutic targets, according to researchers ...

New immune system discovered

(Medical Xpress)—A research team, led by Jeremy Barr, a biology post-doctoral fellow, unveils a new immune system that protects humans and animals from infection.

Hormone levels may provide key to understanding psychological disorders in women

Women at a particular stage in their monthly menstrual cycle may be more vulnerable to some of the psychological side-effects associated with stressful experiences, according to a study from UCL.

Brain can be trained in compassion, study shows

Until now, little was scientifically known about the human potential to cultivate compassion—the emotional state of caring for people who are suffering in a way that motivates altruistic behavior.

Controlling mood through the motions of mitochondria

(Medical Xpress)—Regulating the distribution of power in neurons is done by a system that makes the national electric grid look simple by comparison. Each neuron has several thousand mitochondria confined ...

Do salamanders hold the solution to regeneration?

Salamanders' immune systems are key to their remarkable ability to regrow limbs, and could also underpin their ability to regenerate spinal cords, brain tissue and even parts of their hearts, scientists have ...

Multiple research teams unable to confirm high-profile Alzheimer's study

Teams of highly respected Alzheimer's researchers failed to replicate what appeared to be breakthrough results for the treatment of this brain disease when they were published last year in the journal Science.

Motion quotient: IQ predicted by ability to filter motion (w/ video)

A brief visual task can predict IQ, according to a new study. This surprisingly simple exercise measures the brain's unconscious ability to filter out visual movement. The study shows that individuals whose ...

Engineered cytomegalovirus protects monkeys from HIV equivalent

(Medical Xpress)—A new study by researchers in the US has shown that an ancient virus can be modified to help in the fight against the simian immunodeficiency virus SIV, which is the equivalent in monkeys ...

Brain uses internal 'average voice' prototype to identify who is talking

(Medical Xpress)—The human brain is able to identify individuals' voices by comparing them against an internal 'average voice' prototype, according to neuroscientists.