A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce a detailed picture of the brain and nerve tissues. Because a brain MRI shows details of the blood vessels, the blood flow and the fluids...
Congenital malformations of the central nervous system result from abnormalities that occur during a fetus's growth and development in the womb. Chromosomal abnormalities, maternal illness and drug abuse can cause congenital abnormalities which...
Wilson's disease is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism; specifically, excess copper accumulates in the liver and can lead to death if not treated, According to Aftab Ala and colleagues in February 2007 in "The Lancet." Brain imaging...
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, provides a view of the soft tissue of the body through the use of a super magnet and radiofrequency signals, reports RadiologyInfo.org. Images transmitted to a computer screen are then interpreted by a...
The temporal lobes are brain areas that sit behind the eye sockets and under the temple on each side. Seen from the side, the brain looks like a boxing glove with the thumb pointing in the direction of your gaze. Each temporal lobe is where the...
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. Strokes occur when blood stops flowing to one part of the brain, according to Medline Plus. They are life-threatening conditions that...
Your brain and spinal cord are bathed in a clear, circulating fluid, called cerebral spinal fluid, or CSF, which transports nutrients to brain cells, transports waste away from the cells and serves as a cushion to protect against traumatic shocks....
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a medical imaging technique that provides detailed pictures of the structure of your brain. Unlike methods that use radiation, such as X-rays, MRI applies strong magnets. The reasons for abnormal MRI results...
Beginning around 1970, CT scans, or computer axial tomagraphy scans, became a popular imaging tool. They were particularly helpful when imaging areas of the body such as the brain that were otherwise inaccessible. With this new capability,...
A seizure is considered a symptom of a brain disorder that happens because of a sudden and abnormal electrical activity in the said organ, as defined in Medline Plus a website supported by the National Institute of Health. Seizures have many...
Vitamin B1, more commonly known as thiamine and thiamin, helps convert carbohydrates to glucose that produces energy and helps your body metabolize protein and fats. Vitamin B1 also plays an important role in maintaining brain function as well as...
If your child has excessive eye blinking you may be concerned, but you should know that it is most likely a tic and usually will not last for more than three months. This involuntary movement may cause embarrassment for your child, but it is...
American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus all recommend examination of the eyes of a newborn. Vision testing of newborns is heartily endorsed by...
A dark spot can appear on an X-ray or scan for any number of reasons. Brain lesions usually are discovered accidentally when you're being diagnosed for an unrelated symptom, according to MayoClinic.com. Dark spots that indicate brain lesions...
Seizures can be set off or triggered by stimuli in the internal--inside the body--or external environment. The underlying cause of a seizure lies in the brain, where some abnormality results in periods of unusual electrical activity. A trigger...
Testosterone is one of many hormones that are produced by the endocrine system. It is present in both men and women. As with any hormone, an abnormally high or low concentration of testosterone can lead to health problems. What exactly...
Vertigo is a type of dizziness that makes it seem as if your environment is spinning around you. Although a medical professional should evaluate your vertigo to rule out serious causes such as a brain abnormality, certain exercises can help with...
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has seizures, periods of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that do not cause permanent damage. While currently considered an incurable disorder, epilepsy does typically respond well to...
Addiction medicine is a complex speciality that deals with the treatment of various forms of substance and behavioral addictions. Substance addictions can include alcohol and illegal and prescription drugs, as well as other chemicals. Behavioral...
Obesity-related syndromes in children occur among other signs and symptoms that characterize particular abnormalities. Genetic diseases and hormonal disorders may increase your child's likelihood of developing obesity. Your doctor may identify...
Surges in the brain's electrical impulse mechanisms can lead to seizures. While many people experience a single seizure for a host of reasons, you may receive a diagnosis of epilepsy if you have two or more seizures that are unprovoked, or happen...
Infants with very stiff muscles may clench their hands and feet, such as clenching their fingers into a fist or curling their toes, or cross their legs in a scissor-like fashion when picked up. Hypertonia is the medical term for high muscle tone,...
Cysts are small fluid filled sacs that can develop on organs inside the human body. Brain cysts are typically caused by developmental abnormalities or complications present at birth, causing them to be medically classified as primary brain cysts....
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder for which no cure exists. In some people, the cause may be genetic, while in others the cause may stem from a brain abnormality. Often the exact cause is not known. The disorder is characterized by...
The learning disability dyslexia causes difficulty with reading and comprehension. Sufferers might see words and letters in the wrong order, have a hard time with pronunciation or trouble spelling, among other issues. It is caused by a brain...
Cerebral palsy is actually a number of different neurological disorders that affect the way a person moves and the function of the muscles. Cerebral palsy occurs during fetal development or in early childhood, according to the U.S. National...
A brain cyst is a small sac that is filled with air, liquid or another type of material. Cysts are different than tumors, explains MayoClinic.com. A cyst is small, noncancerous sac. A tumor, in contrast, is caused by the abnormal growth of...
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2 million people have epilepsy in the United States. But there are several causes of seizures, like tumors, brain damage or...
With normal hearing, sound waves start a series of vibrations that send signals to the brain, according to Macalester College. But, with auditory hallucinations, there are no incoming auditory stimuli to cause the sounds. Auditory hallucinations...
A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Learn about brain tumor symptoms, treatments and diagnosis in this video on health and diseases.
Brain tumors are created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. Learn about the symptoms and treatments for brain cancer in this video.
Demonstration of ultrasound use. Learn about obstetrics from a doctor in this video on understanding pregnancy.
Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, can be a serious pathologic state leading to fatigue, coma, or death. Learn more about hypoglycemia in this health video.
