What are the symptoms of neurological disorders?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
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)1. These motor symptoms are frequently accompanied by postural instability and gait abnormalities1.
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 common2 4 6. 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 reported5.
Psychological and Psychiatric Symptoms
Psychological and psychiatric symptoms are often intertwined with neurological disorders. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are common comorbidities1 3. These symptoms can significantly impact the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and are often correlated with the severity of motor and non-motor symptoms1.
Fatigue and Sleep Disorders
Chronic fatigue is a pervasive symptom across many neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, postpoliomyelitis, and poststroke syndromes10. 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 symptoms3 5.
Pain and Sensory Deficits
Pain is a common symptom in neurological disorders, often resulting from structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the nervous system2 4 6. Sensory deficits, including loss of sensation and altered sensory perceptions, are also prevalent. These symptoms can significantly affect daily living and require careful management9.
Autonomic Dysfunction
Autonomic dysfunction, including bladder and urinary problems, incontinence, and dysautonomia, is another critical aspect of neurological disorders3 5. 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.
Sources and full results
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 Study
Rigorous JournalA 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.
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 StudyBiological 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’.
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 Journal
Highly CitedAn 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.
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 Review
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedManagement 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 CitedFatigue in neurological disorders
Chronic fatigue is a common symptom in neurological diseases, with various causes and treatments.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedTry another search
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
What are the symptoms of traveler's diarrhea?
What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
What are the roles of different types of protein in diet for muscle synthesis and overall health?
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
What is string theory and how does it relate to the fundamental forces of nature?