Brain and Nervous System Medical Reference

There’s no cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) yet. But if you or someone you love has SMA, treatment options are available. Learn more.

Find out what happens when you have a nervous system disease called multiple system atrophy (MSA) and learn how to manage the symptoms.

Encephalopathy happens when a change in your body or your brain affects how well you think. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Find out about the many different types of paralysis (when you can’t move parts of your body after something goes wrong with their connection to your brain).

Nerve problems can be hard to pin down. Learn about a possible cause of pain, numbness and tingling in your arms and hands: thoracic outlet syndrome.

Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in your brain. Learn more about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Exercising your right brain can reduce anxiety and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Learn the best exercises for your right brain, where to start, and how to flex your mind.

When you hear a word or a name, do you see a color? Do you see shapes when music plays? You may have a rare condition called synesthesia. Learn about what happens and what causes it.

Empty sella syndrome affects the pituitary gland but may not cause symptoms. Learn more about the condition, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

If a loved one is suddenly acting confused, you need to get help right away. Learn what causes sudden confusion and how it’s treated.

Learn about cranial ultrasound, which can see inside your baby’s brain.

If you are feeling dizzy constantly, your doctor may perform a Dix-Hallpike Test in order to perform a vertigo diagnosis. Learn more about the examination and what the results mean.

Everything you think, feel, and do is controlled by your nervous system. Learn how it works and what kinds of things can go wrong.

If you’ve been back from a cruise for weeks, but still feel like you’re rocking and swaying, you might have mal de debarquement syndrome. Learn what causes it, what the symptoms are, and how it’s treated.

You can get Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome when you don’t have enough vitamin B1. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this disease.

A landmark 2017 study by Boston University researchers found that the brains of 110 of 111 deceased NFL players they examined showed signs of CTE.

Since SMA destroys motor neurons and weakens your muscles, people with SMA can have complications. Learn what they are.

Neck pain or an injury can leave you feeling dizzy. This condition, known as bow hunter’s syndrome or rotational vertebral artery syndrome, makes you feel faint or dizzy when you turn your head.

Pseudotumor cerebri feels like a brain tumor, but it isn't. Learn what to do if you have the symptoms.

Does a whisper in your ear or the sight of someone folding towels make your scalp tingle? You might have autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).

When you see something that’s not really there, it can be scary, but there’s usually a clear reason for it. Learn what can cause these visual hallucinations, how your doctor will test for them, and what kind of treatment you might need.

Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this group of rare diseases that make muscles weak or unable to move.

Find out what you need to know about monoparesis and how it differs from other forms of paresis. Learn about its symptoms and how to manage it.

Find out what you need to know about gamma brain waves, and discover what they are and how they may affect health.

Find out what you need to know about amnesia, discover the different types, causes, and treatments.

Learn about increased intracranial pressure, including symptoms, causes, and when to call a doctor.

Hemangioblastoma is a benign brain tumor. Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and more.

Powassan is a tick-borne illness that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. It used to be rare, but cases could be on the rise.

The liquid that protects your brain can give your doctor some powerful clues.

This rare brain disease mostly affects boys and young men. Knowing the symptoms and starting treatment early are crucial.

Parosmia affects how smells are perceived, often after viral infections. Find out what triggers it, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options.

If you're very sensitive to certain everyday sounds, you may have a condition called hyperacusis. Learn more about this hearing disorder and how to get help.

If you have vertigo or trouble hearing, your body’s balance system might be off kilter.

A brain aneurysm is a bulge that forms in the blood vessel of your brain that could lead to severe health issues and possibly death. But most brain aneurysms don’t show any symptoms and only a small percentage of them result in health problems.

Sudden memory loss isn't always a sign of Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. Learn what other conditions can affect your memory -- and how to treat them.

The spinning sensation and dizziness you get from vertigo can limit your activities and make you feel sick. Learn some simple maneuvers you can do at home that might bring relief, depending on the cause.

If you’re dizzy and your ears are ringing, you might have Ménière’s Disease. Learn how it progresses and how you can manage it.

Electronystagmography, or ENG, is a series of tests that can help your doctor figure out the causes of your vertigo. Read about what to expect from an ENG procedure.

Are your muscles sore, weak, or numb? An EMG or a nerve conduction study may help you find out why.

Is memory or decision-making a problem for you? Neuropsychological tests may help your doctor figure out the cause.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is an inner-ear disorder that is a common cause of vertigo. Find out why it happens, how it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated.

Do you feel dizzy time to time and wonder why it’s happening? Learn about the things that can cause dizziness, from anxiety to positional vertigo.

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are rare neurological conditions that gradually weaken muscles by affecting motor nerves. Learn about its types, causes, symptoms, treatments, and more.

Bell’s palsy can cause drooping or weakness on one side of your face. You might think it’s a stroke, but it’s not. WebMD explains the signs and symptoms of this condition.

Feeling dizzy or hard of hearing? You may have symptoms of labyrinthitis. WebMD explains what this condition is and how it’s treated.

How is ALS treated? Mostly by managing the symptoms. Learn more about how to help someone with the condition also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

People with ALS need a lot of help with daily activities. If you're an ALS caregiver, learn how to help yourself and avoid burnout.

If you've been diagnosed with ALS, learn what to expect and how to help yourself have the best possible outlook.

ALS symptoms affect muscles in your hands, arms, feet, and legs. ALS symptoms in women may be different than in men.

Without knowing what causes ALS, it’s difficult to tell why some people develop the disease while others do not. Risk factors may be genetic and related to environmental factors.