Nervous system and related diseases with diagnosis criteria

1. Title: The Human Nervous
System
Subtitle: Structure, Function, and Importance

2. Introduction
What is the nervous system?
Importance in body function and coordination
Divisions of the nervous system

3. Main Functions of the Nervous System
Sensory input
Integration
Motor output
Maintaining homeostasis

4. Divisions of the Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside the
CNS
Subdivisions: Somatic and Autonomic systems

5. Central Nervous System
Brain: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem
Spinal cord: structure and role
Protected by skull, vertebrae, meninges

6. Peripheral Nervous System
Cranial and spinal nerves
Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary
movements
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Controls
involuntary functions

7. Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Division: "Fight or flight"
Parasympathetic Division: "Rest and digest"
Role in regulating internal organs

8. Neurons – The Functional Units
Structure: cell body, dendrites, axon
Types: sensory, motor, interneurons
Synapse and neurotransmitters

9. How Signals Are Transmitted
Electrical impulses
Role of neurotransmitters
Example: reflex arc

10. Common Disorders
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Epilepsy

11. An Overview
The human nervous system, composed of the brain,
spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, is responsible for
coordinating all bodily functions, sensations, and
activities. Nervous diseases, also known as
neurological disorders, are conditions that affect this
intricate system, potentially leading to significant
impairments in movement, cognition, sensation, or
autonomic function. These disorders can be acute or
chronic, progressive or stable, and range from
relatively mild conditions like migraines to severe,
life-threatening illnesses such as amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) or brain tumors.

12. Nervous diseases can be broadly categorized into
several types, based on the area of the nervous system
they affect:
Neurodegenerative diseases: These include conditions
that involve the progressive degeneration of neurons,
such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and
Huntington’s disease. These disorders are often chronic
and worsen over time.
Demyelinating diseases: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the
most common demyelinating disorder, in which the
protective covering of nerves (myelin) is damaged,
affecting communication between the brain and the
rest of the body.

13. Cerebrovascular diseases: These involve blood vessels
supplying the brain. Strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs),
and aneurysms fall under this category.
Infectious diseases: Conditions such as meningitis
(inflammation of the meninges) and encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) are caused by infections that
affect the nervous system.
Neuromuscular disorders: These affect the nerves that control
voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness and wasting.
Examples include ALS and myasthenia gravis.

14. Neuromuscular disorders: These affect the nerves
that control voluntary muscles, leading to muscle
weakness and wasting. Examples include ALS and
myasthenia gravis.
Epileptic disorders: Epilepsy is a condition
characterized by recurring seizures caused by
abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Functional neurological disorders (FND): These
involve neurological symptoms that are not explained
by traditional neurological diseases and often overlap
with psychological factors.

15. Causes of Nervous Diseases
The causes of nervous system disorders are diverse and
can be multifactorial:
Genetic mutations: Inherited conditions like Huntington’s
disease and some forms of epilepsy are caused by specific
gene mutations.
Infections: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites can infect
the nervous system, leading to diseases such as meningitis,
neurosyphilis, and viral encephalitis.
Autoimmune reactions: Diseases like multiple sclerosis
occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks nerve
tissue.

16. Vascular problems: Lack of blood supply to the brain,
often caused by clots or hemorrhages, can result in
strokes.
Trauma: Head injuries or spinal cord injuries can lead
to long-term neurological impairments.
Tumors: Both malignant and benign tumors can
disrupt normal brain or spinal cord function.
Metabolic and toxic factors: Poor nutrition, vitamin
deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B12 deficiency), alcohol
abuse, and exposure to toxic substances can harm the
nervous system.

17. Symptoms of Nervous Diseases
The symptoms of neurological disorders vary depending on
the specific disease and the area of the nervous system
affected. Common symptoms include:
Persistent or sudden headache
Seizures
Numbness or tingling in limbs
Muscle weakness or paralysis
Memory loss or confusion
Poor coordination or balance
Vision or hearing changes

18. Diagnosis of Nervous Diseases
Diagnosing nervous system disorders involves a detailed medical
history, physical and neurological examinations, and a series of
specialized tests, including:
Neuroimaging: MRI and CT scans provide detailed images of the brain
and spinal cord, helping identify tumors, strokes, or structural
abnormalities.
Electrodiagnostic tests: EEG (electroencephalogram) records brain
wave activity to detect epilepsy and other disorders. EMG
(electromyography) and nerve conduction studies assess the health
of muscles and peripheral nerves.
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): This procedure collects cerebrospinal
fluid to detect infections or autoimmune conditions