neurology

What is motion sickness (sea sickness, car sickness, altitude sickness)? Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story Motion sickness symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness, and cold sweats. Motion sickness is the feeling you get when the motion you sense with your inner ear is different from the motion you visualize. It is a common condition …

What is zonisamide-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Scientists do not known how exactly zonisamide works in the body. Zonisamide is presumed to work on the sodium and calcium channels in the brain cells where it controls electric-currents that are responsible for seizure activity. The FDA approved zonisamide in March 2000. The brand name for zonisamide is …

What are tremors? Stress or strong emotions can trigger tremors. Tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction leading to shaking movements in one or more parts of the body. It is a common movement disorder that most often affects the hands but can also occur in the arms, head, vocal cords, torso, and legs. Tremor may be intermittent (occurring at …

What is glatiramer, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Glatiramer acetate injection (glatiramer) is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer's mechanism of action is not completely understood. Available data suggests that it may work by modifying immune processes by suppressing T-cells (white blood cells of the immune system) that cause inflammation …

What is tardive dyskinesia? Share Your Story Tardive dyskinesia symptoms include involuntary movements of the face and extremities. Dyskinesias are involuntary movements of the face (including lips, tongue, eyes), trunk, and extremities, which are identified in patients who have been treated with certain (dopamine-antagonist) medications. Dyskinesias are difficult to control. Many different conditions can lead to dyskinetic movements, including rheumatic …

Stroke vs. mini-stroke (TIA) comparison of differences Readers Comments 12 Share Your Story A stroke and mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) have similarities and differences. Mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, TIA) and stroke usually are caused by blockage of an artery in the brain, and less often by bleeding into the brain tissue. Strokes usually are classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic. …

What is daclizumab, and how does it work? Daclizumab (Zinbryta) is an injectable medication used for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). Its mechanism of action is not completely understood. Available data suggests that it may work by modifying immune processes that may be responsible for causing MS by interfering with the activation of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that …

What is a stroke? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story FAST is an acronym to help you quickly recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is cut off. The symptoms depend upon the region of the brain that is affected by the loss of blood supply …

What is levetiracetam? Brand name(s): Keppra, Keppra XR Levetiracetam (Keppra, Keppra XR) is an antiseizure medication used in combination with other antiseizure medications to treat myoclonic, partial onset, or tonic seizures in children and adults. (The safety and effectiveness in patients younger than 4 years of age has not been established.) Common side effects are: Headache Dizziness Sleepiness Pain Infection …

What is benztropine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Benztropine is an oral and injectable synthetic medication. It is structurally similar to atropine (AtroPen) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Benztropine has anticholinergic effects. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (chemical) that nerves use to communicate with other nerves. In Parkinson's there is an imbalance between levels of …