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Neurological disorder
Pyramidal hippocampal neuron 40x.jpg
Neurons in person with epilepsy, 40x magnified.
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata

Interventions for neurological disorders include preventative measures, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy or other therapy, neurorehabilitation, pain management, medication, operations performed by neurosurgeons or a specific diet.[1][2] The World Health Organization estimated in 2006 that neurological disorders and their sequelae (direct consequences) affect as many as one billion people worldwide, and identified health inequalities and social stigma/discrimination as major factors contributing to the associated disability and suffering.[3]



Part of the causal chain leading to Alzheimer's disease.

Although the brain and spinal cord are surrounded by tough membranes, enclosed in the bones of the skull and spinal vertebrae, and chemically isolated by the blood–brain barrier, they are very susceptible if compromised. Nerves tend to lie deep under the skin but can still become exposed to damage. Individual neurons, and the neural circuits and nerves into which they form, are susceptible to electrochemical and structural disruption. Neuroregeneration may occur in the peripheral nervous system and thus overcome or work around injuries to some extents, but it is thought to be rare in the brain and spinal cord.

The specific causes of neurological problems vary, but can include genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities or disorders, infections, lifestyle or environmental health problems including malnutrition, and brain injury, spinal cord injury, nerve injury and gluten sensitivity (with or without intestinal damage or digestive symptoms).[4][2] Metal poisoning, where metals accumulate in the human body and disrupt biological processes, has been reported to induce neurological problems, at least in the case of lead.[4] The neurological problem may start in another body system that interacts with the nervous system. For example, cerebrovascular disorders involve brain injury due to problems with the blood vessels (cardiovascular system) supplying the brain; autoimmune disorders involve damage caused by the body's own immune system; lysosomal storage diseases such as Niemann-Pick disease can lead to neurological deterioration. The National Institutes of Health recommend considering the evaluation of an underlying celiac disease in people with unexplained neurological symptoms, particularly peripheral neuropathy or ataxia.[5]



Deaths due to neurological conditions per million persons 2012


Nervous system
The Human Nervous System.
MeSHD009422, D009422
Anatomical terminology


Neurological disorders in non-human animals are treated by veterinarians.[7][8]

Mental functioningEdit





Some of the fields that contribute to understanding mental functioning



See alsoEdit


  1. ^ KT, Thakur; E, Albanese; P, Giannakopoulos; N, Jette; M, Linde; MJ, Prince; TM, Steiner; T, Dua (14 March 2016). Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders: Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 4). Chapter 5 Neurological Disorders. Washington (DC): Patel V, Chisholm D, Dua T, et al.
  3. ^ WHO Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges
  4. ^ a b Sanders, T.; Liu, Y.; Buchner, V.; Tchounwou, P. B. (2009). "Neurotoxic effects and biomarkers of lead exposure: A review". Reviews on Environmental Health. 24 (1): 15–45. doi:10.1515/reveh.2009.24.1.15. PMC 2858639. PMID 19476290.
  5. ^ "Coeliac disease: recognition, assessment and management. NICE guideline [NG20]". National Institute for Health. September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  6. ^ Merck Manual: Brain, Spinal Cord and Nerve Disorders
  7. ^ Veterinary Neurological Centre - Neurological Signs and Diseases
  8. ^ Merck Veterinary Manual - Reproductive System
  9. ^ Butler, C (1 March 2005). "Neurological syndromes which can be mistaken for psychiatric conditions". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 76 (suppl_1): i31–i38. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2004.060459. PMC 1765684. PMID 15718219.
  10. ^ Roelofs, K.; Pasman, J. (2016). "Stress, childhood trauma, and cognitive functions in functional neurologic disorders". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 139: 139–155. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801772-2.00013-8. ISSN 0072-9752. PMID 27719835.
  11. ^ NIMH publications (2009) Neuroimaging and Mental Illness

External linksEdit