Brain disorders are prevalent and have an increasing importance due to an increasing number op people living longer. One in three people will eventually suffer from a brain disorder. For most brain disorders there is still an extensive treatment gap requiring extensive neuroscientific research to start closing that gap and improve patients' quality of life. Here we briefly describe some of the most important brain disorders for which we raise funds.
Epilepsy is a frequently occurring chronic disorder in which brain activity temporarily becomes abnormal, causing seizures or episodes of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Epilepsy can occur in patients with a anatomically normal brain or can occur as a consequence to a brain lesion such as a stroke or brain tumor. Epileptic seizures are typically treated with anti-epileptic drugs. When these fail, epilepsy surgery, dietary measures or neurostimulation treatments may provide seizure control.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves. Signs and symptoms in these patients vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with a severe form may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.
Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is a leading cause of disability and death wordlwide. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain is no longer oxygenated and the brain cells in that region will die. Particular body functions controlled by the affected brain part will not function anymore.
Dementia is a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning. Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is based on a degenerative process in the brain associated with increasing age. Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an ealry diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer. One in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80. The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer.
A brain tumor is a collection, or mass, of abnormal cells in the brain.The skull, which encloses the brain is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Tumours can start in the brain, or cancer elsewhere in the body can spread to the brain. Symptoms include new or increasingly strong headaches, blurred vision, loss of balance, confusion and seizures. In some cases, there may be no symptoms. Treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Movement disorders are a group of disorders characterized by either an excess of movement or a paucity of voluntary and involuntary movements, Parkinson’s disease is a wellknown example. Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's. Parkinson's often starts with a tremor in one hand. Other symptoms are slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance. Medication can help control the symptoms of Parkinson's.
More information on brain disorders and a comprehensive overview on the various exisiting brain disorders can be found on brainfoundation.org