5C - Research on Neurological Disorders Flashcards
(13 cards)
Epilepsy
A neurological disorder involving:
- spontaneous seizures brought on by interference in normal brain activity.
Neurological Disorders
Malfunctions or diseases of the nervous system.
Over 400 types, like stroke and PD
Epilepsy symptoms
Large variety of epilepsy with symptoms including:
- repeated seizures
- tingling that can act as a warning before seizures
- loss of consciousness
What is Idiopathic Epilepsy?
It is when epilepsy has an unknown cause.
Causes of Epilepsy?
- traumatic brain injury
- lack of oxygen to the brain
- brain infection or tumour
- brain abnormality at birth
- genetic factors
Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis: neuroimaging techniques like CT and MRI
Treatment:
- anti-epileptic medication
- diet
Epilepsy contemporary research
- gut microbiota is different in people with epilepsy than those without
- ketogenic diet (little carbohydrates) in children treat epilepsy
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. It causes problems with movement and other functions because brain cells that make dopamine slowly die.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control movement and how we feel pleasure or pain.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms
- tremors
- reduced motor control
- muscle stiffness
- problems with cognition
-mood changes
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Unknown cause, but certain gene variations and environmental triggers like certain toxins increase risk of PD.
Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis: Ruling out other possible diseases through MRI and PET scans
Treatment:
- medication that increases amount of dopamine in brain
- electrodes surgically inserted into the brain
Parkinson’s Disease Contemporary research
- may begin in the gut with constipation as early symptom
- Individuals with PD have decreased levels of gut microbiota
- treated with faecal microbiota transplant to decrease inflammation of brain
