Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID circulates between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, in an enve- lope-like pocket called the subarachno ...

264 The Nervous System MEDICATIONS TO TREAT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Drug or Medication Course of Action Concerns/Side Effects interfe ...

episodes of symptoms with extended period of remission, treatment may consist of watchful waiting and approaches to relieve symp ...

Palatal myoclonus occurs when the muscles of the soft palate at the back of the MOUTHcontract rapidly and rhythmically though u ...

N–O narcolepsy A sleep disorder in which a person feels chronically tired and sleep deprived, and may experience uncontrollable ...

all structures in the body. The two major divisions of the nervous system are the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYS- TEMand the PERIPHERAL NER ...

after ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION, allows the dormant varicella-zoster VIRUSto emerge and cause shin- gles. Injuries to the nerves, su ...

neurologic examination A series of basic diag- nostic procedures that help the neurologist assess an individual’s neurologic sta ...

NERVE(as in compression) or multiple peripheral nerves, either in a pattern (as in RAYNAUD’S SYN- DROME or shingles) or diffusel ...

neuron. Hormones may also function as neuro- transmitters. The appropriate balance of neurotransmitters is essential for neurolo ...

PHY(CT) SCANor MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING(MRI) to evaluate the brain and its blood flow. Treatment Options and Outlook Treatment ...

P pallidotomy A surgical procedure in which the neurosurgeon destroys a portion of the globus pal- lidus, a structure of the mid ...

to assess the extent of damage. Prompt interven- tion is essential for recovery from conditions such as brain hemorrhage, stroke ...

shuffling, hunched posture when walking (Parkinsonian gait) loss of balance, especially when changing direc- tion during walkin ...

somatic NERVOUS SYSTEMand the autonomic nerv- ous system. The nerves of the somatic nervous system are both sensory (conduct sig ...

people who had recovered from childhood poliomyelitis. Though researchers do not fully understand what causes postpolio syndrome ...

R reflex An involuntary response to a stimulus that produces a limited and predictable action. Some reflexes are present only in ...

upper respiratory INFECTION, and INFLUENZA (the flu). Researchers do not know what causes Reye’s syndrome to develop though it i ...

S seizure disorders Abnormal discharge of electri- cal activity in certain areas of the BRAINthat causes various involuntary con ...

medications. Surgery to interrupt electrical activity in the brain is sometimes an option for intractable seizures (seizures tha ...