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

Neurological Diseases

There are a wide variety of neurological diseases affecting the brain and nervous system. Understanding the specifics can help you navigate diagnostic tests and choose the best course of treatment.

meningoencephalitis treatment with acyclovir

Meningoencephalitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

By Sherry Christiansen

Encephalopathy can occur in military personnel and football players

Encephalopathy: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Muscle Weakness

Myasthenia Gravis: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

patient's test results

Susac Syndrome: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD

Doctor viewing brain scans

Chiari Malformation: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Physical therapy after encephalitis

Encephalitis: Overview and More

By Heidi Moawad, MD

Intercostal Neuralgia: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Child in wheelchair and woman enjoying a day out

Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Coping, Support, and Living Well

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Is it possible to live indepentently with spinal musclar atrophy?

Living Independently With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Ways to Stay Active With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Ways to Stay Active With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Photo of a woman stretching her median nerve.

Nerve Flossing In Physical Therapy

Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT

Lumbar injection

Spinraza (Nusinersen): Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions

Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD

Borrelia causes Lyme disease

Lyme Neuroborreliosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Elderly man examined by an ophthalmologist

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Causes and Risk Factors

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Neuromyelitis optica syndrome disorder

How Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Is Treated

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

How Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Is Diagnosed

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Optician looking into patients eyes

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Boy getting an eye exam at the optician

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Midsection Of Woman Holding Her Arm While Standing Against White Background

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Coping

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

eastern equine encephalitis affects both horses and humans

Eastern Equine Encephalitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD

An image of a brain

Posterior Cortical Atrophy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Boy in a wheelchair with his mom

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): Causes and Risk Factors

Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH

Muslim woman drinking sports drink after working out in park on fall afternoon

Dysgeusia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Dyskinesia diagnosis

Dyskinesia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Child who is sick

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

Myelin degeneration

Demyelination: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Child in hospital with leg weakness

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Physical therapist examining boy (6-7), studio shot, close up

Cerebral Palsy: Signs, Symptoms and Complications

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

A forgetful man trying to remember something

Understanding the Psychiatric Aspects of Liver Disease

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Mother putting leg brace on small daughter with Cerebral Palsy

How Cerebral Palsy Is Diagnosed

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Newborn with Mom in NICU

Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Girl with Rett Syndrome

Rett Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Joel Forman, MD

Mom caring for son with ALS

Caring for Someone With ALS

Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH

Doctor explaining report on tablet computer to family in clinic

CIPA Disease: When a Person Can't Feel Pain

Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD

Teen with Juvenile Huntington's Disease

Juvenile Huntington's Disease: Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Man with Huntington's disease watching his daughter on swing along with wife

Drugs to Treat Huntington's Disease

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

The impairments associated with cerebral palsy may lead to specific behavior problems.

Cerebral Palsy: Coping, Support, and Living Well

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Boy with cerebral palsy paints pictures using his mouth

How Cerebral Palsy Is Treated

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Niemann-Pick Disease Symptoms

What Is Niemann-Pick Disease?

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Man holding leg

Causes and Treatment of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

A woman patient talking to her doctor

Somatic Symptom Disorder: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD

Doctor and patient talking about his options

Lou Gehrig's Disease or ALS Life Expectancy

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

parotid gland illustration

Frey Syndrome or Gustatory Sweating Overview

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Doctor talking to senior woman lying in hospital bed

Delirium: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Coping

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Doctor examining senior patients hand in office.

Guillain-Barré Treatment and Recovery

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Nurse with stethoscope taking elderly patient's blood pressure

Medical Tests for Measuring Dysautonomia

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Doctor listening to a woman's lungs

How Doctors Diagnose Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Person working with a physical therapist on their legs

Managing the Symptoms of ALS to Improve Quality of Life

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Man lying on couch with closed eyes

Overview of Balint's Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Close up of elderly mand with hands on his knees

Identifying and Managing Essential Tremor

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

illustration of the nervous system

Understanding Dysautonomia

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

dizzy tree on the blue sky with beautiful autumn colors

Overview and Types of Episodic Ataxia

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Cropped Hands On Wall

Causes and Consequences of Benign Essential Tremor

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

woman rubbing her foot

Introduction to Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Managing Breathing and Feeding Problems in ALS

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Sad woman in bed text messaging

Myopathy Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Human brain, illustration

Disorders of the Neuromuscular Junction

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Essential tremor gets worse as we age.

Coping with and Treating Essential Tremor

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Mitochondria TEM

MELAS Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Man with muscle cramp

Kennedy Disease vs ALS

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

A patent undergoing an MRI scan.

How Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Is Diagnosed

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

DNA Strands from Double Helix Model

Prion Disease Overview: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

When to Start Levodopa in Parkinson's Disease

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

elderly main looking at pill box

Dopamine Dysregulation Syndrome and Parkinson's

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Holding Stomach

Cerebral Palsy: Causes and Risk Factors

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Why Dysautonomia Is Often Misdiagnosed

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Senior mother and daughter hugging

Delusions in Dementia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Coping

Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD

Studio portrait of a young Caucasian woman crying (close-up)

Crying Too Much and Living With Pseudobulbar Affect

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Leg pain in an elderly person

Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Older man with doctor

Learn About Multiple System Atrophy

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Senior African American couple, man in wheelchair

What Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

woman looking in mirror

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Natural Remedies for Bell's Palsy

Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND

Muscle biopsy showing large vacuoles in a case of pompes disease

Pompe's Disease Symptoms and Treatments

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Overview

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Man with Leg Brace

What Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Krabbe's leukodystrophy

Krabbe Disease Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Woman talking to her mother with hr arm around her

Learn More About What Corticobasal Degeneration Is

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

The Strange History of Kluver-Bucy Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Senior Man in Wheelchair

Machado-Joseph Disease Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Nurse taking blood sample from infant's hand

Maple Syrup Urine Disease Symptoms

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Tensed Woman With Head In Hands Sitting On Chair By Window At Home

What Are the Causes of Hallucinations?

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Tics as a Symptom of Tourette's Syndrom

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Daughter looking at senior woman

The 3 Types of Primary Progressive Aphasia

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

A man is exercising outdoors

Dysautonomia Diagnosis and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Beyond chicken pox.

Varicella Zoster Virus and the Nervous System

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Newborn baby boy crying

What You Should Know About Congenital Myopathies

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

A child about to have an MRI.

How a Brain Tumor Is Diagnosed

Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD

Service dog and her recipient look at each other at Longwood Gardens

Types of Motor Neuron Diseases

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Spinocerebellar Ataxia as a Genetic Clumsiness Disorder

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Doctor speaking with patient

10 Serious Infections of the Spinal Cord

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

A picture of a face superimposed over a brain.

Bell's Palsy Diagnosis and Chance of Recovery

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Tensilon Test: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Woman sitting on her bed with a cup of tea rubbing her leg

Natural Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO

Mitochondria, computer artwork.

Mitochondrial Disorders in Neurology

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Nerve fibres, light micrograph

An Overview of Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Doctor checking crying baby heartbeat on bed

Lissencephaly Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Mid adult woman with headache

Deadly Mad Cow Disease in Humans

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

medical ear examination

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Overview

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Cerebral Palsy (CP): Overview and More

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Man clutching thigh in pain

Stiff Person Syndrome Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

toddler being examined by doctor

Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Skin spot in neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

the myelin sheath appears as segmented tubes wrapped around the axon

Canavan Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Stephen Hawking

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Disorder Info

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Albino man doing work

Types and Symptoms of Albinism

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Lorenzo Odone's Life and Disease

Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD

Baby laying on white sheet

Leigh's Disease Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Father holds his sleeping baby

Joubert Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

Man with doctor in exam room

How Brain Tumors Are Treated

Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD

Brain cancer, computer artwork.

Meningioma Diagnosis, Risks, and Grades

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Brain cancer, computer artwork.

How to Manage and Treat Meningioma

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

Glioblastoma Multiforme

An Overview of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD

woman listening to music

What to Expect If You Have Focal Seizures

Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

doctor doing reflex test on patient's knee

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS): Causes, Symptoms, More

Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD

Young cerebral palsy patient

Caregiving When Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy

Fact checked by Ashley Hall