A human brain with with a close-up of nerve cells

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

Understanding how your brain and nervous system function can help you recognize the symptoms of conditions that affect them. Learn about diagnostic tests, associated diseases, and treatment options.
Examining a brain scan
Empty Sella Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Brain doctor talking to chlid and mother
Craniopharyngioma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
A doctor viewing a scan of the human brain
What Is the BRAIN Initiative Mapping Project?
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Two brains in communication
Science Behind the Social Brain of Humans
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Woman's feet in pink socks sticking out from under a blanket
Paresthesia: Why Your Body Parts Tingle and Fall Asleep
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Brain scan images captured via MRI.
Causes and Prevention of Seizures
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
Patient with a respiratory mask on operating table
What Is General Anesthesia?
Medically reviewed by Jenny A. Dhingra, MD
Doctor reviewing brain MRI with patient
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) System for Epilepsy
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Daith Piercing as a Controversial, Alternative Migraine Therapy
Daith Piercing for Migraine
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
I hope this works
Sumatriptan for Acute Migraine Treatment
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Newborn with Mom in NICU
Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Serious doctor examining brain scan
Neurologist: Expertise, Specialities, and Training
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Pediatrician checking reflexes of girl in examination room
Your Body's Natural and Automatic Reflexes
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Brain x-ray with neurons
NMDA Receptors and How They're Involved in Disease
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Advanced contemporary intensive treatment
Overview of the Specialized Neuro-ICU
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Couple embracing
Where Is Love Located in the Brain?
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
illustration of the brain
Shrinking Hippocampus and Alzheimer's Disease
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Serious neurologist discusses MRI scan with patient
Understanding Consciousness With Science
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Female patient having eye tested in hospital
Horner Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Human Brain
The Frontal Lobes and Their Function
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Brain and Nerve Cells
What You Need to Know About the Nervous System
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Baby test
Dravet Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Taking Zoming to Prevent Menstrual Migraine
Zolmitriptan (Zolmitriptan) for Migraine Treatment
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Girl with Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Joel Forman, MD
Teacher helping elementary school student with classwork
The Symptoms and Treatment of Aphasia
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Cerebrospinal fluid, artwork
Understanding the Spinal Cord and Motor Neuron Diseases
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Glial cells illustration
What Are Glial Cells and What Do They Do?
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Good job son
5 Controversies Surrounding Autism
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
brain scan
The Blood-Brain Barrier: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
blurry city skyline
Migraine With Aura: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Woman holding her head
Amnesia Overview: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Brain disease diagnosis with medical doctor seeing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) film diagnosing elderly ageing patient neurodegenerative illness problem for neurological medical treatment
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Man with a numb foot
Causes of Numbness and Tingling
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
Mediterranean diet
How Healthy Fats Can Nourish an Aging Brain
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
What Is Your Migraine Experience?
What Is Your Migraine Profile?
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Child having tantrum
How to Calm a Child With Autism
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
Embrace Watch for Seizures
The Embrace Watch for Monitoring Epilepsy Seizures
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Group of children on the playground
Social Stories for Kids With Autism
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Onfi (Clobazam): Uses and Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Tensilon test
Tensilon Test: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Patient in intensive care unit
What It Means to Be in a Coma
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Doctor conversing with patient about heart
Should a Patent Foramen Ovale be Closed?
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
An older woman looking at the window, remembering
Learn All About the Anatomy of Your Memory
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
patient in the emergency room with signs of internal bleeding
Internal Bleeding: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Illustration of a colorful brain made from cogs, lightening bolts, and clouds
The Science of Emotions of the Brain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
hypothalamus
Hypothalamus Regions and Function in the Body
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Brain head scan
Functions of the Limbic System
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Mother and son talking
Understanding Developmental Dyspraxia
Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD
Testing the Babinski relfex on a baby.
Strange Reflexes and What They Say About Your Health
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Fenfluramine for Treatment of Epilepsy
Fenfluramine for Treating Epilepsy Seizures
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Intractable epilepsy
Intractable Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Lonely middle school student in cafeteria
Social Motivation and Autism
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
VNS therapy
Vagal Nerve Stimulator for Epilepsy Seizure Prevention
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Myoclonic Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Doctor examining man with colleague
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Dopamine Medications
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
The 7 Best Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Groups of 2021
Fact checked by James Lacy
Seizure dog
How Seizure Dogs Help People With Epilepsy
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Cross section biomedical illustration of cerebral shunt with valve inserted in brain of boy
Shunt Placement for Hydrocephalus or Water on the Brain
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Holding Stomach
Cerebral Palsy: Causes and Risk Factors
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Physical therapist examining boy (6-7), studio shot, close up
Cerebral Palsy: Signs, Symptoms and Complications
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD