DISEASES OF THE

NERVOUS SYSTEM
1) PARKINSON’S DISEASE
A disease that affects the nervous system and causes peoples
muscles to become weak and their arms and legs to shake
A progressive neurological disease chiefly of the later life that is
linked to decreased dopamine production
Named after James Parkinson, an English physician, who discovered
the disease in 1824
Cause of disease
Decreased dopamine production
but the real cause is unknown but
several factors appear to play a
role including:
a) Your genes
b) Environmental triggers
(exposure to toxins)
Result
• Thinking difficulties
• Depression and emotional
changes
• Swallowing problems
• Chewing and eating problems
• Sleep problems and sleep
disorders
• Bladder problems
• Constipation
Putative cure/ Remedy
No cure but Drug treatment are
available
a) Levadopa, a natural chemical
that passes into the brain and
is converted to dopamine.
2) ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
A disease of the brain that causes people to slowly lose their
memory and mental abilities ass they grow old
The most common form of dementia, that usually starts in the late
middle age or in old age.
Named after Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, who discovered it
on 1915
Cause of disease
Death of brain cells and slow
production of neurons
Result Putative cure/ Remedy
• Reduced ability to take in and No cure but Drug treatment are
remember new information available:
• Impairments to reasoning, a) Donepezil
complex tasking and exercising b) Rivastigmine
judgement c) tacrine
• Impaired visual spatial abilities
that are not due to eye sight
problems
• Impaired speaking, reading
and writing
• Changes in personality and
behaviour
3) MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
A disease of the nervous system that causes the gradual loss of
muscle control
A demyelinating disease marked by patches of hardened tissue in
the brain or the spinal cord and associated especially with partial or
complete paralysis and jerking muscle tremor
Cause of disease Result Putative cure/ Remedy

Destruction or loss of myelin • Muscle stiffness No cure but Drug treatments are
• Paralysis typically in the legs available:
• Problems with the bladder, a) Ampyra
bowel and sexual function b) Imuran
• Mental changes, such as c) Cytoxan
forgetfulness or mood swings d) Novantrone
• Depression e) Tysabri
• Epilepsy f) Steroids
4) BIPOLAR DISORDER
Any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually
by alternating episodes of depression and mania – called also manic
depression, manic-depressive illness
Cause of disease
Unknown but some genetic
factors play role:
Biological Traits
a) Brain chemical imbalances
b) Hormonal problems
c) Environmental factors (
exposure to radiation)
Result Putative cure/ Remedy
• Impaired judgement No Cure
• Feeling wired
• A sense of distraction or
boredom
• Missing work or school or
underperformance
• Thinking they can do anything
• Believe that nothing is wrong
5)SCHIZOPHRENIA
A mental disorder that is characterized by disturbances in thought,
perception and behaviour, by a loss of emotional responsiveness and
extreme apathy, and by noticeable deterioration in the level of
functioning in everyday life
Involves the inability to orient oneself with reality, a withdrawal from
social interactions and a failure to integrate thoughts with emotions
so that emotional expression is in appropriate
Cause of disease Result Putative cure/ Remedy

Not known • Delusions No cure but Drug treatments are

• Hallucinations available:
• Catatonia a) Chloropromazine
b) Fluphenazine
c) Haloperidol
d) Perphenazine