The brain is made up of two major classifications of cells: neurons and glia. Neurons are the signaling cells of the brain; they interact with other neurons to control thought and bodily functions. The glia are supporting cells that help maintain the health and function of the neurons. Disruption of the cellular behavior of the neurons or glia often leads to brain diseases, which can be fatal.
Brain Cancer
Cancer occurs when cells within the brain begin to divide uncontrollably, killing neighboring healthy cells and disrupting brain function. There are a number of types of brain cancer, which vary depending on which cell type they originated from, their position within the brain, and their aggressiveness.
Many brain cancers cause similar physical and psychological symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, trouble seeing or walking, loss of memory and loss of problem-solving skills.
Brain cancers can be detected through imaging techniques such as MRI or CAT scans, and analysis of tissue biopsy can identify the type of brain cancer. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted medications. If left untreated, brain cancers are fatal.
Alzheimer's and Prion Disorders
Alzheimer's disease and prion disorders are neurodegenerative diseases. These disorders occur when the cells of the brain mutate and die, leading to an overall decrease in the number of functioning cells within the brain. Neurodegenerative disorders diminish brain functioning and can ultimately cause death.
In Alzheimer's disease, plaques of toxic protein accumulate in the brain, leading to a breakdown in the structure of neighboring neurons and neural cell death. Prion disorders, such as Creutzfeldt--Jakob disease, also involve cell death after exposure to toxic proteins.
Medications may be able to treat symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders and improve patient quality of life, but the actual disorder is rarely curable.
Stroke
A stroke is a cerebrovascular disease that occurs when blood vessels in the brain get disrupted, interrupting the normal flow of blood. The surrounding tissue becomes starved of oxygen, and cells within affected regions of the brain begin to die. When a stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel, it is called an ischemic stroke; if the stroke is caused when a blood vessel bursts, it is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or high cholesterol are at an increased risk of stroke. A report published in Reuters Health states that stroke fatality rates can be as high as 24.2 percent, depending on the age of the patient.
