OVERVIEW

What is the central nervous system?

The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The brain is divided into the cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum, and other parts.

What diseases are included in the central nervous system?

Central nervous system diseases include: Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, encephalitis and meningitis, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral vascular tumors, spinal cord diseases, etc.

SYMPTOMS

What are the characteristics of symptoms of central nervous system diseases?

Common symptoms include impaired consciousness, cognitive impairment, headache, seizures, syncope or vertigo, difficulties in seeing, hearing, speaking, writing, or walking, paralysis, etc.

CAUSES

What are the common causes of central nervous system diseases?

There are many causes of central nervous system diseases, such as genetics, degenerative changes, infections, trauma, etc.

• Genetic diseases of the nervous system: Generally related to genes and caused by heredity, most begin in childhood or adolescence and may persist for life.
  The mechanisms of many genetic neurological diseases remain unclear, but they often lead to disability, deformities, or intellectual impairment, making treatment difficult. Examples include hereditary ataxia.

• Neurodegenerative diseases: Usually caused by aging, bodily degeneration, or nerve deterioration. Examples include Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.

• Infectious diseases of the nervous system: Caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Examples include viral meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, prion diseases, and neurocysticercosis.

• Trauma: Such as traumatic brain injury or traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.

DIAGNOSIS

What tests are needed for the diagnosis of central nervous system diseases?

• Physical examination: Localization diagnosis (identifying the location of the lesion) is crucial in neurological diseases, so a physical examination is essential.

• Imaging tests: Such as CT, MRI, and cerebral angiography.

• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and carotid ultrasound: Both are ultrasound examinations that detect pulse signals in the neck and cerebral blood vessels to infer cerebrovascular conditions.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG): Helps assess the condition by detecting brain waves.

• Lumbar puncture: Involves extracting cerebrospinal fluid for testing. It is an invasive procedure requiring patient or family consent, local anesthesia, and post-procedure supine positioning without a pillow for a period.

TREATMENT

What are the treatment methods for central nervous system diseases?

• Medication: Most neurological diseases are treated with drugs.

• Surgery: Some well-equipped hospitals may perform mechanical thrombectomy or intravascular stent placement for acute cerebral infarction caused by large vessel occlusion. However, these techniques are relatively new and not yet widely adopted.
  For patients with severe cerebral edema or space-occupying lesions, decompressive craniectomy may be performed, which involves removing a small piece of skull to reduce intracranial pressure.

• Rehabilitation therapy: For paralyzed patients, phased rehabilitation exercises should be carried out according to the treatment plan developed by the doctor.

Some central nervous system diseases require long-term medication. Are the side effects severe?

Drugs used for long-term treatment of neurological diseases often have some side effects. Therefore, regular follow-ups are necessary. If discomfort occurs during medication, seek medical attention promptly.

Discontinuing certain medications abruptly may lead to severe adverse reactions, requiring gradual withdrawal. Thus, dosage adjustments or discontinuation should strictly follow medical advice—never stop medication without consulting a doctor.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

See specific diseases for details.

PREVENTION

See specific diseases for details.