Neurology and Neurological Disorders

Cognitive neuroscience involves the study of several biological processes which includes aspects of cognition, focusing on the brain neural networks that are further involved in the various mental processes. Cognitive disorders further affect the problem solving, perception, learning, and memory of a person.

Study of brain and spinal cord impairment which may include life threatening and dangerous tumors, specially of brain in known as Neuro Oncology. Cancer spreads the nervous system by metastasis or could directly invade the nervous system. Brain tumors treatments include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and neurosurgical interventions. Brain metastasis is of greater challenge for the researchers dealing in this field.

Neurosurgery is a surgery that generally involves either operative or non-operative surgery to rehabilitate the functions related to the CNS which involves brain and spinal cord. Non-operative surgery includes prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation. Neurological surgery is only used to reduce the pain that occurs in brain due to some neurological disorders or some pathological process that may have resulted due to differences in functioning of the CNS. Pediatric neurosurgery deals in treating the children’s nervous system problem such as head and spine deformations.

Neuroimaging involves methods that helps in imaging of the brain and helps to know the structure function relationship of the brain. Functional imaging is also used for the diagnosis of the various metabolic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and can be used for the cognitive physiology and neurological physiology.

Neurorehabilitation is a medical method that targets in recovery from an injury in the nervous system, and to reduce the complications to avoid functional alterations resulting from it. Rehabilitation is used generally in physiotherapy processes. Conditions that are treated through Neurorehabilitation, includes Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Trauma, Multiple Sclerosis.

Neurotoxicology deals with the toxicity of the CNS, affecting the brain and destructs the nerve tissues.  Examples of toxic substances include Conotoxin, Chlorotoxin, Tetrodotoxin, causes neurotoxicity & directly affecting the brain and related functions. Neurotoxicity can also occur due to some drug therapies, organ transplant or exposures to heavy metal.

Neuropsychiatric disorders are also the mental disorders of the central nervous system. Some of the Neuropsychiatric diseases include Sleep Disorders, Schizophrenia. Neuropsychiatric patients, Depression, Mood disorders, require intensive care for their treatment.

Psychiatric Nurse is a nurse, who has specialized in the mental health and can take care of person of all ages which face a problem of mental illness.

Stroke occurs, when blood supply to the brain is blocked, or rupture in blood vessels occurs, thus leading the death in brain tissue. Strokes are of various types such as, Transient strokes, Ischemic Strokes, Hemorrhagic Strokes and Muscle Weakness

Neuroimmunology involves the study of neuroscience and immunology in combination. Neuroimmunologists trys to better understand the interactions of both the complex systems during development, homeostasis, and response to injuries.

Pediatric Neurology is the study of Neurological disorders in children. Some of the pediatric neurological disorders includes, Congenital myopathies, Rett Syndrome, Muscular dystrophy and pediatric sleep disorders.

Neuro cardiology involves study of interaction between heart and brain which deals with the effect of stress on the heart. The nervous system regulates the cardiovascular system. A perfect balance in  hormone levels, life style and the environmental conditions play a very important role in maintaining a good relation between heart and brain.

Neuro- ophthalmology is the study of visual system disorders that further arises due to some neurological disorders. The visual system disorders include, eye movements control, pupillary reflexes.

Neurogenetics is the study of role of genetics for the proper development and functioning of the nervous system. The knowledge of gene loci show a good linkage of neurological disorders including Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. The major animal that has been studied for neurogenetics include Drosophila, Zebrafish.

Neuropharmacology is the study of drugs that are specifically used for the treatment of various neurological disorders, like Huntington disease, Alzheimer, Parkinson disease, Multiple Sclerosis etc. These drugs directly help in the cure for the neurological disorders. Research is going on for the treatment of the neuropathic pain.

Stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that is capable to give rise to a new cell.  Research has shown that these cells are capable in the treatment of Neurological Disorders such as Parkinson, Alzheimer disease, Battens disease and many other neurological disorders. They can also be used for Spinal cord injury.

Neurochemistry is the study of Neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, neuropeptides) that have a direct impact on the functioning of the neuron. It also include the different chemical processes that occur in the brain.

Neuropathology is the study of the nervous system affected with diseases. Neuropathy is disorder of the nerves itself. The neuropathologist work on the examining of the biopsies from Brain and spinal cord so, as to diagnose the diseases.

Neurotransmission is signal transmission which involve neurotransmitters which are released by neuron, such as aspartate, nitric oxide, glutamate, and dopamine which then bind to a target receptor present on another neuron. Neuron helps in the transmission of information. Neurotransmitters can either lead to excitation or inhibition of neurons. Some of the excitatory neurotransmitters are Norepinephrine and Acetylcholine. Whereas inhibitory neurotransmitters include Gamma Aminobutyric acid, Dopamine and Serotonin.