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== Common Neurological Disorders == | == Common Neurological Disorders == | ||
===Age-Related Neurological Disorders === | ===Age-Related Neurological Disorders === | ||
Neurological disorders that are predominantly age-related typically manifest and progress with advancing age, reflecting changes in neurological function over time. These conditions often result from the cumulative effect of various biological processes such as neuronal loss, protein misfolding, vascular changes, or inflammatory mechanisms. | |||
* '''Alzheimer's Disease:''' A progressive degenerative disease that primarily affects individuals over 65, impacting memory, thinking, and behavior. Early-onset Alzheimer's can occur in individuals between 30 and 65 years of age, although it is less common. | * '''Alzheimer's Disease:''' A progressive degenerative disease that primarily affects individuals over 65, impacting memory, thinking, and behavior. Early-onset Alzheimer's can occur in individuals between 30 and 65 years of age, although it is less common. | ||
* '''Parkinson's Disease:''' This degenerative disorder of the central nervous system predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly people, usually presenting itself after the age of 60. Symptoms such as impaired motor skills and speech progressively worsen over time. | * '''Parkinson's Disease:''' This degenerative disorder of the central nervous system predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly people, usually presenting itself after the age of 60. Symptoms such as impaired motor skills and speech progressively worsen over time. | ||
* '''Stroke:''' The risk of stroke increases significantly with age, particularly after the age of 55. It occurs when there is a loss of blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in tissue damage and loss of function in the affected area. | * '''Stroke:''' The risk of stroke increases significantly with age, particularly after the age of 55. It occurs when there is a loss of blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in tissue damage and loss of function in the affected area. | ||
* '''Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS):''' | * '''Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS):''' Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS leads to the progressive loss of muscle control due to nerve cell damage in the brain and spinal cord and is most common between the ages of 40 and 70, though it can occur at any age. | ||
* '''Vascular Dementia:''' The second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain, often due to strokes or small vessel disease. | |||
* '''Frontotemporal Dementia:''' An umbrella term for a range of disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are generally associated with personality, behavior, and language. While it can start as early as 45 years old, it becomes more common in older adults. | |||
* '''Lewy Body Dementia:''' Characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein) in the brain, it affects cognition, behavior, movement, and sleep. It is typically a disease of older adults, most commonly appearing after the age of 60. | |||
* '''Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus:''' Although it can occur at any age, it is more prevalent in the elderly population and is caused by the build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricles, leading to walking difficulties, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment. | |||
* '''Multiple System Atrophy (MSA):''' A rare degenerative neurological disorder affecting adults, typically in their 50s. MSA is characterized by a combination of symptoms affecting movement, blood pressure control, and other bodily functions. | |||
* '''Huntington's Disease:''' This is a hereditary disorder caused by a faulty gene for a protein called huntingtin. Symptoms usually start between 30 and 50 years of age and can include movement disorders, cognitive decline, and psychiatric problems. | |||
=== Non-Age-Related Neurological Disorders === | === Non-Age-Related Neurological Disorders === |