What are the symptoms of neurological disorders?

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Symptoms of Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders encompass a wide range of conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. These disorders can manifest through various symptoms, impacting both motor and non-motor functions. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for diagnosis, management, and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

Motor Symptoms in Neurological Disorders

Motor symptoms are a hallmark of many neurological disorders. These symptoms can include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, and abnormal movements such as tremors, dystonia, gait disorders, and myoclonus. For instance, patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) often present with multiple motor symptoms, which can be assessed using tools like the Simplified Functional Movement Disorder Rating Scale (S-FMDRS) . These motor symptoms are frequently accompanied by postural instability and gait abnormalities .

Sensory and Cognitive Symptoms

Neurological disorders can also lead to a variety of sensory and cognitive symptoms. Loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, and altered levels of consciousness are common 246. Cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with memory, attention, and executive functions, are also prevalent, particularly in conditions like long-COVID syndrome, where symptoms like "brain fog" and cognitive impairment are frequently reported .

Psychological and Psychiatric Symptoms

Psychological and psychiatric symptoms are often intertwined with neurological disorders. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are common comorbidities 13. These symptoms can significantly impact the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and are often correlated with the severity of motor and non-motor symptoms .

Fatigue and Sleep Disorders

Chronic fatigue is a pervasive symptom across many neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, postpoliomyelitis, and poststroke syndromes . Fatigue can be central, affecting the central nervous system, or peripheral, affecting the neuromuscular junctions and muscles. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are also frequently observed and can exacerbate fatigue and other symptoms 35.

Pain and Sensory Deficits

Pain is a common symptom in neurological disorders, often resulting from structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the nervous system 246. Sensory deficits, including loss of sensation and altered sensory perceptions, are also prevalent. These symptoms can significantly affect daily living and require careful management .

Autonomic Dysfunction

Autonomic dysfunction, including bladder and urinary problems, incontinence, and dysautonomia, is another critical aspect of neurological disorders 35. These symptoms can lead to significant discomfort and complications, necessitating comprehensive management strategies.

Conclusion

Neurological disorders present a complex array of symptoms that can affect motor, sensory, cognitive, psychological, and autonomic functions. Understanding these symptoms is essential for effective diagnosis and management. By recognizing the commonalities and differences in symptoms across various neurological conditions, healthcare providers can develop more targeted and effective treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

The complex syndrome of functional neurological disorder

A unified pathophysiology of 'functional' symptoms, with high correlations between self-reported and objective measures, supports the unification of functional and somatic syndromes in classification schemes and future research.

Observational StudyRigorous Journal

2022·

17citations

·Z. Forejtová et al.

A Prospective on the Biological Disease of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in Young people

Neurological disorders in young people are characterized by structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, resulting in various symptoms.

2021·

1citation

·Evelyn Joy

1293Identifying Shared Symptoms and Comorbidities to Inform Risk Reduction Strategies Across Prevalent Neurological disorders

Shared symptoms and conditions, such as bladder and urinary problems, incontinence, fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, and sleep apnoea, are common across five neurological disorders, potentially informing risk prevention and disease management strategies.

Observational Study

2021·

0citations

·N. Nag et al.

Biological Disease of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescents

Neurological disorders are medically defined as disorders that affect the brain as well as the nerves found throughout the human body and the spinal cord. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can result in a range of symptoms. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness’.

2021·

1citation

·Evelyn Joy

Neurological manifestations of long-COVID syndrome: a narrative review

Long-COVID syndrome, a multi-organ disorder with neurological symptoms, is highly prevalent among COVID-19 survivors, with neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress processes likely contributing to its manifestation.

Literature ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2022·

159citations

·M. Stefanou et al.

An Approach on the Biological Disease of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders in Young patients

Neurological disorders in young patients are often viewed as a biological disease, with a focus on understanding the brain and nervous system as a whole unit.

2021·

1citation

·W. Austen

A review of functional neurological symptom disorder etiology and the integrated etiological summary model.

The integrated etiological summary model suggests that functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD) is influenced by trauma, psychiatric symptoms, somatic symptoms, illness exposure, symptom monitoring, and neurobiological factors.

Literature ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

84citations

·Aaron D. Fobian et al.

Management of functional neurological disorder

Neurologists play a crucial role in managing functional neurological disorder, with a focus on diagnostic discussion, specific treatment strategies, and interdisciplinary service structures.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2020·

90citations

·Gabriela S. Gilmour et al.

Physical Symptoms in Neurological Conditions

Physical symptoms in neurological conditions can be effectively managed through patient-centered assessment, timely intervention, open discussion, realistic goal setting, planning, coordination of care, and regular review.

2013·

1citation

·Mark R. Lee

Fatigue in neurological disorders

Chronic fatigue is a common symptom in neurological diseases, with various causes and treatments.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2004·

1133citations

·A. Chaudhuri et al.

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