Condition Lookup
Category:
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Number of Conditions: 10
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
muscle weakness; difficulty speaking (dysarthria); difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); muscle cramps and twitching; progressive loss of voluntary motor control; breathing difficulties
Root Cause:
Degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of voluntary muscle function.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through clinical evaluation, electromyography (EMG), and imaging.
Treatment:
Treated symptomatically with medications like riluzole and edaravone, and supportive care.
Medications:
Riluzole (slows progression by reducing glutamate toxicity). Edaravone (may reduce oxidative stress in neurons).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 5,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.; prevalence is about 2 per 100,000 people.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age (typically 55–75 years), male gender, family history of ALS, military service (possible exposure to environmental toxins), smoking.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and fatal; life expectancy averages 2–5 years from diagnosis, though some individuals live much longer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and complete paralysis.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
memory loss; confusion; difficulty planning or solving problems; changes in mood or personality; difficulty completing familiar tasks; language problems; disorientation; loss of initiative; poor judgment
Root Cause:
Progressive accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal degeneration and loss of synaptic connections.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via cognitive testing and brain imaging.
Treatment:
Treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil) and NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., memantine).
Medications:
Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Donepezil , Rivastigmine , Galantamine ) to improve communication between nerve cells. NMDA receptor antagonist (e.g., Memantine ) to regulate glutamate and prevent neuronal damage. Newer drugs, such as Leqembi (lecanemab ), which targets amyloid plaques.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 6 million people in the United States; globally, over 50 million people are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for 60–80% of cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, genetic predisposition (e.g., APOE-e4 allele), family history, cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia), head trauma, lower education levels, and lifestyle factors (e.g., sedentary lifestyle).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; life expectancy varies from 3–20 years post-diagnosis, with an average of 8–10 years.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe cognitive decline, inability to perform daily tasks, increased risk of infections (e.g., pneumonia), malnutrition, falls, and complete dependency on caregivers.
Parkinson’s Disease
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
tremor (usually at rest); slowness of movement (bradykinesia); muscle rigidity; postural instability; shuffling gait; reduced facial expression; speech changes; writing difficulty; non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances, depression, and cognitive changes
Root Cause:
Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, leading to motor and non-motor dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically and supported by response to dopaminergic therapy.
Treatment:
Treated with medications like levodopa, dopamine agonists, and deep brain stimulation for advanced cases.
Medications:
Dopaminergic drugs such as Levodopa (with carbidopa to prevent early conversion to dopamine). Dopamine agonists (e.g., Pramipexole , Ropinirole ). MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., Selegiline , Rasagiline ) to slow dopamine breakdown. Anticholinergics (e.g., Benztropine ) for tremor. Amantadine for dyskinesia or mild symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 million people in the U.S.; globally, over 10 million people have Parkinson's Disease.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, male gender, genetic mutations (e.g., LRRK2, PARK7, PINK1, or SNCA genes), exposure to pesticides or toxins, and head injuries.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Gradual progression with increasing disability; treatments can improve quality of life but do not halt progression.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe motor impairment, falls, cognitive decline, depression, psychosis, aspiration pneumonia, and complete dependency in advanced stages.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
autonomic dysfunction (e.g., low blood pressure, bladder control issues); parkinsonism (rigidity, bradykinesia); cerebellar symptoms (e.g., ataxia, poor coordination); speech and swallowing difficulties; sleep disturbances
Root Cause:
Progressive degeneration of neurons and glial cells in multiple areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically and supported by imaging.
Treatment:
Treated symptomatically with medications for motor symptoms and autonomic dysfunction, though no cure exists.
Medications:
Levodopa for parkinsonian symptoms (limited effectiveness). Fludrocortisone or midodrine for low blood pressure. Anticholinergic drugs for bladder control issues.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting approximately 3–4 per 100,000 people globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age (typically 50–60 years); no clear genetic or environmental risk factors identified.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and fatal; life expectancy is typically 6–10 years after symptom onset.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe motor and autonomic impairment, aspiration pneumonia, falls, and complete dependency in advanced stages.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
impaired vertical eye movement; postural instability leading to frequent falls; rigidity; bradykinesia; speech and swallowing difficulties; personality changes; cognitive decline
Root Cause:
Accumulation of tau protein in the brain, leading to neuronal loss primarily in the brainstem and basal ganglia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically with MRI support.
Treatment:
Treated with symptomatic therapies, such as medications for stiffness and balance aids.
Medications:
Levodopa for parkinsonian symptoms (limited response). Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) for mood disturbances.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting approximately 5–6 per 100,000 people globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age (typically >60 years); no clear genetic or environmental risk factors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; life expectancy averages 5–7 years after diagnosis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe motor impairment, aspiration pneumonia, cognitive decline, and dependency.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
behavioral changes; language difficulties (e.g., aphasia); executive dysfunction; apathy; compulsive or socially inappropriate behaviors
Root Cause:
Progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, often linked to abnormal protein accumulation (tau or TDP-43).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via clinical assessment and brain imaging.
Treatment:
Treated symptomatically with behavioral and supportive therapies, as no curative treatments exist.
Medications:
Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs for behavioral symptoms). Antipsychotics (cautiously used for severe agitation or psychosis).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 15–20 per 100,000 people; more common in individuals under 65.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations (e.g., MAPT, GRN, C9orf72), family history of dementia.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; survival averages 6–8 years after symptom onset.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe cognitive and behavioral impairment, dependency, malnutrition, and aspiration pneumonia.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
fluctuating cognition; visual hallucinations; parkinsonism; rem sleep behavior disorder; autonomic dysfunction; sensitivity to antipsychotics
Root Cause:
Accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein (Lewy bodies) in the brain, leading to neuronal dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically and through imaging.
Treatment:
Treated with cholinesterase inhibitors for cognitive symptoms and caution with antipsychotics for behavioral issues.
Medications:
Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Rivastigmine ) for cognitive symptoms. Levodopa for parkinsonian symptoms (limited response). Cautious use of antipsychotics (e.g., Quetiapine ) for hallucinations.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1–4% of individuals over 65 years old.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, male gender, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; life expectancy averages 5–8 years after diagnosis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe cognitive decline, falls, psychosis, and aspiration pneumonia.
Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
loss of coordination (ataxia); difficulty walking; slurred speech (dysarthria); difficulty with fine motor tasks; tremors; vision problems; muscle stiffness or weakness
Root Cause:
A group of inherited disorders caused by mutations in different genes, leading to progressive degeneration of the cerebellum and other parts of the central nervous system.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed with genetic testing and clinical evaluation.
Treatment:
Treated symptomatically with physical therapy and supportive care, as no cure is available.
Medications:
No specific medications target the disease directly. Symptomatic treatments, such as muscle relaxants for spasticity or antiepileptic drugs for tremors.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with prevalence varying by specific subtype; collectively, SCAs affect approximately 2–5 per 100,000 people.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Autosomal dominant inheritance of gene mutations (e.g., ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; life expectancy varies depending on subtype, with some forms leading to severe disability or early death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe mobility issues, swallowing difficulties, aspiration pneumonia, and dependency in advanced stages.
Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms:
asymmetric limb dysfunction; difficulty with motor control (alien limb phenomenon); rigidity; apraxia (difficulty with coordinated movement); speech and swallowing difficulties; cognitive decline; myoclonus (sudden muscle jerks)
Root Cause:
Accumulation of tau protein in specific areas of the brain, causing progressive neuronal degeneration.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically and with imaging support
Treatment:
Treated with symptomatic therapies, such as medications for stiffness and physical therapy, as no specific treatments exist.
Medications:
Levodopa for rigidity and bradykinesia (limited or no benefit). Muscle relaxants or antiepileptic drugs for myoclonus. SSRIs for mood-related symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare, with an estimated prevalence of 4–5 per 100,000 people.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age (typically >60 years); no clear genetic or environmental risk factors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; life expectancy is typically 6–8 years after symptom onset.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe motor impairment, cognitive decline, aspiration pneumonia, and complete dependency in advanced stages.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Sub-category: Prion Diseases
Symptoms:
progressive dementia; psychiatric symptoms; muscle stiffness; myoclonus
Root Cause:
Accumulation of abnormal prion proteins in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Brain MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for prion markers, and post-mortem examination.
Treatment:
Supportive care only; no curative treatment available.
Medications:
Symptom management with antipsychotics, sedatives, or muscle relaxants.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare; associated with exposure to infected cattle products.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Consumption of contaminated beef products or exposure to prions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Fatal; average survival is about 12-14 months post-symptom onset.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progressive neurological decline, severe disability, and death.