Neurological Symptoms and Diagnosis

Neurological symptoms can point to a variety of conditions affecting the brain or nerves. Learn about diagnostic tests you can expect so you can work with your doctor to reach a specific diagnosis.
Ventilator mask and oxygen cylinder
Brain Injury From Anoxia
A person lying on the ground after head trauma in basketball (in a version of fencing response) with a person close by calling for medical help
What Is the Fencing Response?
Hands picking up shards of a broken plate from the floor
What Is Cataplexy?
Provider performing electromyography (EMG) to test the electrical activity of the muscles
What Is Electromyography (EMG)?
Two people hugging each other for support
What Is Anterograde Amnesia?
A speech therapist working with a person who has apraxia of speech
What Is Apraxia of Speech?
Healthcare providers looking at MRI images on laptop
What Is Focal Dystonia?
Close-up of person rubbing their hands
Shaking Hands
man looking away against wall
What Is Aphonia?
Person outdoors, holding hands to forehead
Brain Fog
Person holding their wrist
Numbness on One Side of the Body
Cleaning up spilled glass of orange juice with a paper towel
What Is Dystonia?
Man with healthcare provider looking at tablet displaying brain scan images
What Is Dysmetria?
Someone is cleaning up spilled orange juice from trembling.
Trembling
A young man experiencing a motor tic around his mouth.
What Is a Tic?
A young woman touching her eyelid
Myoclonus
Person who has fainted at home
Fainting
Someone walking, perhaps shuffling feet.
Shuffling Gait
Person sitting in park, holding head, feeling lightheaded
Lightheadedness
Senior woman using a walker.
Unsteady Gait
Someone balancing on a log.
Loss of Balance
Woman looking in mirror, feeling her numb face
Numb Face
Person looking out of window with blank expression
Flat Affect
Person sniffs orange to see if they have lost their sense of smell
Anosmia
Man on sofa feeling numb hand
Hand Numbness
Woman getting a neurological examination
Facial Nerve Paralysis
Close-up of a person's face and eyes
Unequal Pupils
Healthcare provider holding hand of a person with a tremor
Tremors
Nerve conduction velocity test
Testing Nerve Conduction Velocity
Man checking for lopsided face in mirror
Lopsided Face: Causes and Treatment
Man recovering from stroke, with facial paralysis
Facial Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Doctor performing eye nerve test electronystagmography
What Is Electronystagmography?
Healthcare provider examines person who has signs of facial palsy
What Is Facial Nerve Palsy?
Healthcare provider checking person for lopsided smile
Lopsided Smile: Everything You Need to Know
Healthcare provider explains cranial nerve 7 impairment to woman
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve 7): Everything to Know
Testing corneal reflex with cotton swab
What Is the Corneal Reflex?
Woman receiving a beauty treatment in medical practice
13 Reasons for Uncontrollable Lip Twitching
Person in wheelchair affected by paralysis
Paralysis
Granddaughter comforting grandmother who is experiencing effects of executive dysfunction
What Is Executive Dysfunction?
Woman talks with little boy
Echolalia
Hospitalized patient looks confused, may have delirium
Delirium
What are the signs of caffeine overdose?
What Are the Signs of Caffeine Overdose?
Young woman lying down with her arm across her forehead, eyes closed, with a blanket covering her body.
Dizziness and Sweating: What You Should Know
Haldol (haloperidol) can cause tardive dyskinesia
What Medications Cause Tardive Dyskinesia?
Akathisia and tardive dyskinesia can cause distress
Akathisia vs. Tardive Dyskinesia: What Are the Differences?
Child with sore throat
What Is PANDAS Syndrome?
A hand reaching for medication for tardive dyskinesia
Is Tardive Dyskinesia Reversible?
Young boy is in bed with a headache while his mom comforts him.
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine/RPON: Overview and More
Person bending over holding their right knee and upper calf with both hands.
What Causes Leg Numbness?
Doctor examining patient in office - stock photo
Tingling in the Head: Causes and Treatments
neck pain
Tardive Dyskinesia vs. Dystonia: What Are the Differences?
Female speech therapist helping a teenage patient inside of a clinic
What Is Aphasia?
Family members can be a source of support for people living with tardive dyskinesia
Coping With Tardive Dyskinesia
Certain prescription medications can cause tardive dyskinesia
Causes and Risk Factors of Tardive Dyskinesia
Grimacing and sticking out tongue
Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia
There are several treatment options for tardive dyskinesia
How Tardive Dyskinesia Is Treated
Senior adult woman and home healthcare nurse, physical therapist
What Is Ataxia?
Woman with hand pain - stock photo
Nerve Pain in Hands: Causes and Treatment
Brain imaging studies may require you to be still for up to an hour
Imaging Tests of the Brain
Chorea is a type of involuntary muscle movement
What Is Chorea?