Clonus, which refers to repetitive contractions and relaxations of the muscles, is an extreme form of hyperreflexia, meaning an increase in the deep tendon reflexes. It is seen most often in the ankle, causing the foot to jerk up and down. Clonus...
Unfortunately, most spinal cord injuries result in lifelong disability. Continued research, development of newer therapies and treatment techniques do offer hope. In 1995, Christopher Reeve fell from a horse and suffered a spinal cord injury. His...
The myelin sheath, which covers the axon of the neuron, performs important functions for neural communication. In the central nervous system, or the brain and spinal cord, oligodendrocytes make up the myelin sheath, while Schwann cells make up the...
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer kills more than a million people in the world each year. There are two major types of lung cancers, categorized according to the size of the lung cancer cell: small-cell lung cancer and...
A hereditary spastic paraplegia, or HSP, diagnosis leaves you with many unanswered questions. This disorder, sometimes called familial spastic paraparesis, progresses at different rates depending on the patient. HSP targets your lower body, but is...
The spinal cord may become severed or injured due to accidents, acts of violence or physical diseases such as polio, according to Dr. Edward Benzel of the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute. Depending upon the extent and location of the spinal cord...
