Central nervous system disease

Central nervous system in yellow (brain and spinal cord)
Specialty| Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery

Central nervous system diseases, also known as central nervous system disorders, are a group of neurological disorders that affect the structure or function of the brain or spinal cord, which collectively form the central nervous system (CNS).[1][2][3] These disorders may be caused by such things as infection, injury, blood clots, age related degeneration, cancer, autoimmune disfunction, and birth defects. The symptoms vary widely, as do the treatments.

Central nervous system tumors are the most common forms of pediatric cancer. Brain tumors are the most frequent and have the highest mortality.[4]

Some disorders, such as substance addiction, autism, and ADHD may be regarded as CNS disorders, though the classifications are not without dispute.

## Contents

* 1 Signs and symptoms
* 2 Causes
* 2.1 Trauma
* 2.2 Infections
* 2.3 Degeneration
* 2.4 Structural defects
* 2.5 CNS Tumors
* 2.6 Autoimmune disorders
* 2.7 Stroke
* 3 Functions
* 3.1 Spinal cord
* 3.2 Brain
* 4 Diagnosis
* 4.1 Types of CNS disorders
* 4.1.1 Addiction
* 4.1.2 Arachnoid cysts
* 4.1.3 Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
* 4.1.4 Autism
* 4.1.5 Brain tumors
* 4.1.6 Catalepsy
* 4.1.7 Encephalitis
* 4.1.8 Epilepsy/Seizures
* 4.1.9 Infection
* 4.1.10 Locked-in syndrome
* 4.1.11 Meningitis
* 4.1.12 Migraine
* 4.1.13 Multiple sclerosis
* 4.1.14 Myelopathy
* 4.1.15 Tourette's
* 4.2 Neurodegenerative disorders
* 4.2.1 Alzheimer's
* 4.2.2 Huntington's disease
* 4.2.3 Parkinson's
* 5 Treatments
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 External links

## Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Every disease has different signs and symptoms. Some of them are persistent headache; pain in the face, back, arms, or legs; an inability to concentrate; loss of feeling; memory loss; loss of muscle strength; tremors; seizures; increased reflexes, spasticity, tics; paralysis; and slurred speech. One should seek medical attention if affected by these.[citation needed]

## Causes[edit | edit source]

### Trauma[edit | edit source]

Main article: Traumatic brain injury

Any type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or injury done to the spinal cord can result in a wide spectrum of disabilities in a person. Depending on the section of the brain or spinal cord that experiences the trauma, the outcome may be anticipated.

### Infections[edit | edit source]

Main article: List of central nervous system infections

Infectious diseases are transmitted in several ways. Some of these infections may affect the brain or spinal cord directly. Generally, an infection is a disease that is caused by the invasion of a microorganism or virus.

### Degeneration[edit | edit source]

Degenerative spinal disorders involve a loss of function in the spine. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves may be associated with herniation or disc displacement. Brain degeneration also causes central nervous system diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases). Studies have shown that obese people may have severe degeneration in the brain[dubious - discuss] due to loss of tissue affecting cognition.[5][citation needed]

### Structural defects[edit | edit source]

Common structural defects include birth defects,[6] anencephaly, and spina bifida. Children born with structural defects may have malformed limbs, heart problems, and facial abnormalities.

Defects in the formation of the cerebral cortex include microgyria, polymicrogyria, bilateral frontoparietal polymicrogyria, and pachygyria.

### CNS Tumors[edit | edit source]

A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. In the beginning, tumors can be noncancerous, but if they become malignant, they are cancerous. In general, they appear when there is a problem with cellular division. Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors.

### Autoimmune disorders[edit | edit source]

An autoimmune disorder is a condition where in the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. This is caused by a loss of tolerance to proteins in the body, resulting in immune cells recognising these as 'foreign' and directing an immune response against them.

### Stroke[edit | edit source]

Main article: Stroke

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to the brain. Approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke.[7] This can happen when a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot or when a blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak to the brain. If the brain cannot get enough oxygen and blood, brain cells can die, leading to permanent damage.

## Functions[edit | edit source]

### Spinal cord[edit | edit source]

Main article: Spinal cord

The spinal cord transmits sensory reception from the peripheral nervous system.[8] It also conducts motor information to the body's skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves along the spinal cord, all of which consist of both sensory and motor neurons.[8] The spinal cord is protected by vertebrae and connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain, and it acts as a "minor" coordinating center.

### Brain[edit | edit source]

Main article: Human brain

The brain serves as the organic basis of cognition and exerts centralized control over the other organs of the body. The brain is protected by the skull; however, if the brain is damaged, significant impairments in cognition and physiological function or death may occur.

## Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

### Types of CNS disorders[edit | edit source]

#### Addiction[edit | edit source]

Main article: Addiction

Addiction is a disorder of the brain's reward system which arises through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and occurs over time from chronically high levels of exposure to an addictive stimulus (e.g., morphine, cocaine, sexual intercourse, gambling, etc.).[9][10][11][12]

#### Arachnoid cysts[edit | edit source]

Main article: Arachnoid cysts

Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoidal cells that may develop on the brain or spinal cord.[13] They are a congenital disorder, and in some cases may not show symptoms. However, if there is a large cyst, symptoms may include headache, seizures, ataxia (lack of muscle control), hemiparesis, and several others. Macrocephaly and ADHD are common among children, while presenile dementia, hydrocephalus (an abnormality of the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid), and urinary incontinence are symptoms for elderly patients (65 and older).

#### Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)[edit | edit source]

Main article: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

ADHD is an organic disorder of the nervous system.[14][15][16][17] ADHD, which in severe cases can be debilitating,[18] has symptoms thought to be caused by structural as well as biochemical imbalances in the brain; in particular, low levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine,[19] which are responsible for controlling and maintaining attention and movement. Many people with ADHD continue to have symptoms well into adulthood.[20] Also of note is an increased risk of the development of Dementia with Lewy bodies, or (DLB), and a direct genetic association of Attention deficit disorder to Parkinson's disease[21][22] two progressive, and serious, neurological diseases whose symptoms often occur in people over age 65.[20][23][24][25]

#### Autism[edit | edit source]

Main article: Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by repetitive patterns of behavior and persistent deficits in social interaction and communication.[26]

#### Brain tumors[edit | edit source]

Main article: Brain tumor

Tumors of the central nervous system constitute around 2% of all cancer in the United States.[27]

#### Catalepsy[edit | edit source]

Main article: Catalepsy

Catalepsy is a nervous disorder characterized by immobility and muscular rigidity, along with a decreased sensitivity to pain. Catalepsy is considered a symptom of serious diseases of the nervous system (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Epilepsy, etc.) rather than a disease by itself. Cataleptic fits can range in duration from several minutes to weeks. Catalepsy often responds to Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam) in pill and I.V. form.[28]

#### Encephalitis[edit | edit source]

MRI of the brain in individual with West Nile virus encephalitis (with associated parkinsonism and tremor)

Main article: Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is usually caused by a foreign substance or a viral infection. Symptoms of this disease include headache, neck pain, drowsiness, nausea, and fever. If caused by the West Nile virus,[29] it may be lethal to humans, as well as birds and horses.

#### Epilepsy/Seizures[edit | edit source]

Main article: Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an unpredictable, serious, and potentially fatal disorder of the nervous system, thought to be the result of faulty electrical activity in the brain. Epileptic seizures result from abnormal, excessive, or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 80% of epilepsy occurs in developing countries. Epilepsy becomes more common as people age. Onset of new cases occurs most frequently in infants and the elderly. Epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients as a consequence of brain surgery.[30]

#### Infection[edit | edit source]

For a more comprehensive list, see List of infections of the central nervous system.

A number of different pathogens (i.e., certain viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and prions) can cause infections that adversely affect the brain or spinal cord.

#### Locked-in syndrome[edit | edit source]

A medical condition, Locked-in syndrome usually resulting from a stroke that damages part of the brainstem, in which the body and most of the facial muscles are paralysed but consciousness remains and the ability to perform certain eye movements is preserved.

#### Meningitis[edit | edit source]

Main article: Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (membranes) of the brain and spinal cord. It is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Fever, vomiting, and a stiff neck are all symptoms of meningitis.

#### Migraine[edit | edit source]

Main article: Migraine

A chronic, often debilitating neurological disorder characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches, often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms.

#### Multiple sclerosis[edit | edit source]

Main article: Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory demyelinating disease, meaning that the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged. Symptoms of MS include visual and sensation problems, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling all over, muscle spasms, poor coordination, and depression. Also, patients with MS have reported extreme fatigue and dizziness, tremors, and bladder leakage.

#### Myelopathy[edit | edit source]

Main article: Myelopathy

Myelopathy is an injury to the spinal cord due to severe compression that may result from trauma, congenital stenosis, degenerative disease or disc herniation. The spinal cord is a group of nerves housed inside the spine that runs almost its entire length.

#### Tourette's[edit | edit source]

Main article: Tourette's syndrome

Tourette's syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder. Early onset may be during childhood, and it is characterized by physical and verbal tics. Tourette's often also includes symptoms of both OCD and ADHD indicating a link between the three disorders. The exact cause of Tourette's, other than genetic factors, is unknown.

### Neurodegenerative disorders[edit | edit source]

#### Alzheimer's[edit | edit source]

Main article: Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease typically found in people over the age of 65 years. Worldwide, approximately 24 million people have dementia; 60% of these cases are due to Alzheimer's. The ultimate cause is unknown. The clinical sign of Alzheimer's is progressive cognition deterioration.

#### Huntington's disease[edit | edit source]

Main article: Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that is inherited. Degeneration of neuronal cells occurs throughout the brain, especially in the striatum. There is a progressive decline that results in abnormal movements.[31] Statistics show that Huntington's disease may affect 10 per 100,000 people of Western European descent.

#### Parkinson's[edit | edit source]

Main article: Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease, or PD, is a progressive illness of the nervous system. Caused by the death of dopamine-producing brain cells that affect motor skills and speech. Symptoms may include bradykinesia (slow physical movement), muscle rigidity, and tremors. Behavior, thinking, sensation disorders, and the sometimes co-morbid skin condition Seborrheic dermatitis are just some of PD's numerous nonmotor symptoms. Parkinson's disease, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Bi-polar disorder, all appear to have some connection to one another, as all three nervous system disorders involve lower than normal levels of the brain chemical dopamine (In ADHD, Parkinson's, and the depressive phase of Bi-polar disorder.) or too much dopamine (in Mania or Manic states of Bi-polar disorder) in different areas of the brain:[32][33][34]

## Treatments[edit | edit source]

There are a wide range of treatments for central nervous system diseases. These can range from surgery to neural rehabilitation or prescribed medications.[citation needed] The most valued companies worldwide whose leading products are in CNS Care include CSPC Pharma (Hong Kong), Biogen (United States), UCB (Belgium) and Otsuka (Japan) who are active in treatment areas like MS, Alzheimers, Epilepsy and Psychiatry.[35]

## See also[edit | edit source]

* Neurodegenerative disease
* List of central nervous system infections

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ "Nervous System Diseases". Healthinsite.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
2. ↑ Central Nervous System Diseases at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
3. ↑ Cacabelos R, Torrellas C, Fernández-Novoa L, López-Muñoz F (2016). "Histamine and Immune Biomarkers in CNS Disorders". Mediators Inflamm. 2016: 1924603. doi:10.1155/2016/1924603. PMC 4846752. PMID 27190492.
4. ↑ "Central Nervous System Tumor - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
5. ↑ "Obese People Have 'Severe Brain Degeneration'". Live Science. 25 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
6. ↑ "Birth Defects". Kidshealth.org. Archived from the original on 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
7. ↑ "Stroke". Hearthealthywomen.org. Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Organization of the Nervous System". Users.rcn.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
9. ↑ Nestler EJ (December 2013). "Cellular basis of memory for addiction". Dialogues Clin. Neurosci. 15 (4): 431–443. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2013.15.4/enestler. PMC 3898681. PMID 24459410.
10. ↑ Ruffle JK (November 2014). "Molecular neurobiology of addiction: what's all the (Δ)FosB about?". Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 40 (6): 428–437. doi:10.3109/00952990.2014.933840. PMID 25083822. S2CID 19157711.
11. ↑ Olsen CM (December 2011). "Natural rewards, neuroplasticity, and non-drug addictions". Neuropharmacology. 61 (7): 1109–1122. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.03.010. PMC 3139704. PMID 21459101.
12. ↑ Volkow ND, Koob GF, McLellan AT (January 2016). "Neurobiologic Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction". N. Engl. J. Med. 374 (4): 363–371. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1511480. PMC 6135257. PMID 26816013.
13. ↑ "How the Brain Works". Arachnoidcyst.org. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
14. ↑ "Brain Studies Show ADHD Is Real Disease - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
15. ↑ "ADHD Study: General Information". Genome.gov. Archived from the original on 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
16. ↑ Christian Nordqvist (2010-09-30). "MNT - ADHD Is A Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Scientists Reveal". Medical News Today. Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
17. ↑ "Social Security Disability SSI and ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder". Ssdrc.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
18. ↑ "112.00-MentalDisorders-Childhood". Ssa.gov. 2013-05-31. Archived from the original on 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
19. ↑ "What Is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know". Webmd.com. 2008-09-18. Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Adult ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)". MayoClinic.com. 2013-03-07. Archived from the original on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
21. ↑ "Parkinsonism, ADHD: Common Genetic Link?". 2014-07-04. Archived from the original on 2015-05-03. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
22. ↑ Golimstok A, Rojas JI, Romano M, Zurru MC, Doctorovich D, Cristiano E (January 2011). "Previous adult attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms and risk of dementia with Lewy bodies: a case-control study". Eur J Neurol. 18 (1): 78–84. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03064.x. PMID 20491888. S2CID 3914739. Archived from the original on 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
* Lay summary in: "Adult ADHD significantly increases risk of common form of dementia, study finds". Science Daily (Press release). February 6, 2011.
23. ↑ "Dementia With Lewy Bodies Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)". Ninds.nih.gov. 2013-06-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
24. ↑ Puschmann A, Bhidayasiri R, Weiner WJ (January 2012). "Synucleinopathies from bench to bedside". Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 18 Suppl 1: S24–7. doi:10.1016/S1353-8020(11)70010-4. PMID 22166445.
25. ↑ Hansen FH, Skjørringe T, Yasmeen S, Arends NV, Sahai MA, Erreger K, et al. (July 2014). "Missense dopamine transporter mutations associate with adult parkinsonism and ADHD". J Clin Invest. 124 (7): 3107–20. doi:10.1172/JCI73778. PMC 4071392. PMID 24911152.
26. ↑ Lipton JO, Sahin M (October 2014). "The neurology of mTOR". Neuron. 84 (2): 275–291. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2014.09.034. PMC 4223653. PMID 25374355.
27. ↑ Ostrom QT, et al. (October 2019). "CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2012–2016". Neuro-Oncology. 21 (5): v1–v100. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noz150. PMC 6823730. PMID 31675094.
28. ↑ "What is Catalepsy? (with pictures)". wiseGEEK. Archived from the original on 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
29. ↑ "West Nile Virus". Medicinenet.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
30. ↑ "How Serious Are Seizures?". Epilepsy.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
31. ↑ "Huntington's Disease". Hdsa.org. Archived from the original on 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
32. ↑ Engmann B (2011). "Bipolar affective disorder and Parkinson's disease". Case Rep Med. 2011: 154165. doi:10.1155/2011/154165. PMC 3226531. PMID 22162696.
33. ↑ Walitza S, Melfsen S, Herhaus G, Scheuerpflug P, Warnke A, Müller T, Lange KW, Gerlach M (2007). "Association of Parkinson's disease with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood". J Neural Transm Suppl (72): 311–5. doi:10.1007/978-3-211-73574-9_38. ISBN 978-3-211-73573-2. PMID 17982908.
34. ↑ "Movement disorders in young people related to ADHD". Archived from the original on 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
35. ↑ "Top Global Pharmaceutical Company Report" (PDF). The Pharma 1000. November 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-03-15. Retrieved 29 December 2022.

## External links[edit | edit source]

Classification|

* MeSH: D002493

|

* v
* t
* e

Diseases of the nervous system, primarily CNS

Inflammation|

| Brain|

* Encephalitis
* Viral encephalitis
* Herpesviral encephalitis
* Limbic encephalitis
* Encephalitis lethargica
* Cavernous sinus thrombosis
* Brain abscess
* Amoebic

|

Brain and spinal cord|

* Encephalomyelitis
* Acute disseminated
* Meningitis
* Meningoencephalitis

Brain/
encephalopathy|

| Degenerative|

| Extrapyramidal and
movement disorders|

* Basal ganglia disease
* Parkinsonism
* PD
* Postencephalitic
* NMS
* PKAN
* Tauopathy
* PSP
* Striatonigral degeneration
* Hemiballismus
* HD
* OA

* Dyskinesia
* Dystonia
* Status dystonicus
* Spasmodic torticollis
* Meige's
* Blepharospasm
* Athetosis
* Chorea
* Choreoathetosis
* Myoclonus
* Myoclonic epilepsy
* Akathisia

* Tremor
* Essential tremor
* Intention tremor
* Restless legs
* Stiff-person

|

Dementia|

* Tauopathy
* Alzheimer's
* Early-onset
* Primary progressive aphasia
* Frontotemporal dementia/Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
* Pick's
* Dementia with Lewy bodies
* Posterior cortical atrophy

* Vascular dementia

Mitochondrial disease|

* Leigh syndrome

Demyelinating|

* Autoimmune
* Inflammatory
* Multiple sclerosis
* For more detailed coverage, see Template:Demyelinating diseases of CNS

Episodic/
paroxysmal|

| Seizures and epilepsy|

* Focal
* Generalised
* Status epilepticus
* For more detailed coverage, see Template:Epilepsy

|

Headache|

* Migraine
* Cluster
* Tension
* For more detailed coverage, see Template:Headache

Cerebrovascular|

* TIA
* Stroke
* For more detailed coverage, see Template:Cerebrovascular diseases

Other|

* Sleep disorders
* For more detailed coverage, see Template:Sleep

CSF|

* Intracranial hypertension
* Hydrocephalus
* Normal pressure hydrocephalus
* Choroid plexus papilloma
* Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
* Cerebral edema
* Intracranial hypotension

Other|

* Brain herniation
* Reye syndrome
* Hepatic encephalopathy
* Toxic encephalopathy
* Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Both/either|

| Degenerative|

| SA|

* Friedreich's ataxia
* Ataxia–telangiectasia

|

MND|

* UMN only:
* Primary lateral sclerosis
* Pseudobulbar palsy
* Hereditary spastic paraplegia

* LMN only:
* Distal hereditary motor neuronopathies
* Spinal muscular atrophies
* SMA
* SMAX1
* SMAX2
* DSMA1
* Congenital DSMA
* Spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance (SMALED)
* SMALED1
* SMALED2A
* SMALED2B
* SMA-PCH
* SMA-PME
* Progressive muscular atrophy
* Progressive bulbar palsy
* Fazio–Londe
* Infantile progressive bulbar palsy

* both:
* Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template