Neurological Diseases

Course Summary

The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves throughout the body.  All of these nerves together control the processes and work within the body.  The brain is the command center and when something goes wrong within this system of nerves, issues with movement, physical sensation, speaking, breathing, swallowing, and even learning can be affected.  If a condition begins within the brain, problems with senses, mood, or memory of the brain can be affected.    

There are more than 600 neurological diseases, some that begin at birth like spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and others caused by trauma to the spinal cord and/or brain. Infections such as meningitis can have lifelong effects and cancers that invade nerve pathways or the brain can leave nerves damaged or interrupted. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are degenerative diseases of the nervous system and develop when nerve cells are damaged or completely die. This leaves the nervous system not fully functional.