Neurological disorders—such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease—inflict great pain and suffering on patients and their families, and every year costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars. Symptoms of a neurological disorder can be mild, such as muscle weakness, poor coordination, or changes in thinking patterns.
Symptoms can also be more noticeable, such as seizures, pain, and intellectual disability. Neurologic dysfunction can be a result of a multitude of differential diagnoses and, when severe enough, will require intensive critical care with specific, timely, and well-organized nursing care.
There are many causes for neurological disorders, including infections, injuries, and environmental factors such as poor nutrition or exposure to heavy metals like lead. Gene changes can also cause neurological disorders.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have uncovered a previously unknown process of protein production where a single gene can create two separate proteins from the same messenger RNA simultaneously. They believe this discovery will open the door for new research into therapies for neurological disorders.
Physical exercise is effective in improving and preventing age-related cognitive decline in humans, particularly in individuals with neurological disorders.
Neurological disorder
