Spinal cord diseases are serious medical conditions that can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and other disabilities. The most common spinal cord disease is cervical spondylosis (cervical spine degeneration), which is caused by wear and tear on your neck joints. Other common spinal cord diseases include spinal stenosis (narrowing of your spinal canal) and disc…
The brainstem is the part of the brain that connects the front part of the brain (cerebrum) to the spinal cord and the cerebellum. It is made of the midbrain, pons, and medulla. 1. What Does the Brainstem Do? The brainstem serves as a communication point between the body, the spinal cord, and the brain…
Brain tumors are categorized according to their brain tissue origin and how fast they grow. Fast-growing brain tumors are known as high-grade tumors, while slow-growing ones are known as low-grade tumors. Below are some of the most known brain tumors: 1. What Is Ependymoma? Ependymoma is a tumor that originates from ependymal cells which together…
The brain reward system or mesocorticolimbic circuit is a brain circuit that controls addictive behaviors, mood, feeding behaviors, positive emotions (e.g., pleasure), and learning [1]. 1. What Activates the Reward System? The reward system is activated every time we experience something rewarding. For instance, the reward system is triggered when eating something we really enjoy…
Antiemetics are drugs used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting due to multiple causes. Based on their mechanism of action, the most common antiemetics are classified as follows [1]: 1. What Are Dopamine Antagonists? Dopamine antagonists are drugs that block the D2 dopamine receptor in the brain and gastrointestinal neurons by preventing dopamine binding…
Fungal infections of the brain become more common over the past 2 decades and can cause the following syndromes [1]: 1. What Is Fungal Meningitis and What Causes It? Fungal meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord which is caused by the following genera of fungi: Fungal meningitis…
Inflammation is a natural process by which the body’s immune system fights against injuries, infections, chemicals, and radiation. It is characterized by the following signs: 1. What Is the Main Cause of Inflammation in the Body? There are many causes of inflammation that is triggered by the body’s immune system: 2. What Happens During Inflammation?…
The most known parasite infection of the brain is Neurocysticercosis or Cysticercosis Cellulosae which is caused by the flatworm (Cestode), Taenia solium. It is transmitted to humans through fecal-oral contamination or the consumption of pig meat infected with taenia cysts [1]. Neurocysticercosis results in the production of cysts in the brain parenchyma leading to headaches,…
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom disease is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs due to itching, throbbing, and uncomfortable sensations. RLS is a common disease that affects about 10% of the general population [1]. 1. What Is the Main Cause of Restless Leg Syndrome? Although the cause is…
The most common adult parasomnia is nightmare disorder which has a lifetime prevalence of 66.2% in adults. It is classified as a REM-related parasomnia [1]. 1. What is A Parasomnia? A parasomnia is an abnormal behavior that happens during the sleep cycle that manifests with unwanted sensory, motor, or behavioral experiences. 2. What Are The…
