Brain Diseases & Disorders

Wait a minute… What is the difference

between a disease and a disorder?

Wait a minute… What is the difference

between a disease and a disorder?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the cranium and upper neck (lateral view)

Disease vs. Disorder

• In common usage, disease and disorder are interchangeable.

• Even their definitions are unclear sometimes in science books.

For our purposes:

Disease:

transmittable you can catch it caused by something external

Disorder:

not transmittable you can’t catch it caused by something inside – like genetics

Note: Environmental factors must always be considered in addition to those listed above.

Aphasia

• An inability to use or understand language

• Occurs because language areas become damaged (mechanical force, stroke, tumor…)

• Damage to the brain is permanent. Speech and language therapy is possible.

Hydrocephalus

• Literally means “water brain”

• Occurs when there is a blockage in the natural flow of the CSF.

• Treated by using surgical shunts – little devices which help drain the fluid off the brain.

Traumatic Brain Injury

• Any mechanical force which damages the brain

• Numerous symptoms arise (hemorrhages, hematomas, etc.)

• Primary treatment – stabilize and prevent further injury. Secondary – rehabilitation.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

• Occurs when blood vessels in the brain become disturbed.

• This leads to a lack of blood flow and loss of that area

• Treatment includes various medications or mechanical methods (removing blockages, etc.)

Bipolar Disorder

• Caused by a number of factors: chemicals, environment, genetics…

• Includes rapid cycles of moods. Highs – mania, lows - depression

• Treatment includes various medications and/or counseling.

Schizophrenia

• Entomology – schizein, “to split” and phren, “mind” [Greek]

• Can be caused by social, biological, and psychological factors and multiple brain regions

• Treatment includes various medications (i.e. risperidone) and therapies

Phobias

• From the Greek “phobos” – “fear”

• Linked to the amygdala. The amygdala controls fear and agression.

• Behavioral therapy, medicines, even using virtual reality to desensitize the fear

Remind me to show you all the types of phobias

online

Remind me to show you all the types of phobias

online

Seizures

• Caused by malfunctioning neurons in the brain

• There are different types of seizures depending on severity and the parts of the brain they effect

• Medicine and management

Addiction/Addictive Tendencies

• Can manifest in many forms

• Explained currently by a biopsychosocial model. (In English: genetics, your brain/mind, and environment/society influence this)

• Treatments can be chemical or therapy related.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

• Many disorders fall in this area. The common thing is a lack of social skills.

• Treatment is through therapy. Some “high-functioning” individuals lead normal lives. Interesting, some display superior memory skills and can be geniuses in one area (i.e. piano)