neurology

What is tizanidine-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works on alpha2 receptors in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and blocks nerve impulses from reaching muscles which produces muscle relaxation. The FDA approved tizanidine in November 1996. What brand names are available for …

What is baclofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Baclofen is an oral and injectable medication that relaxes skeletal muscles, the muscles that move the skeleton (and also called striated muscle). Chemically, baclofen is related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves use to communicate with one another. GABA …

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome? Restless Leg Syndrome is an often uncontrollable urge to twitch and move your legs – especially when sitting or lying down. It isn’t curable and the cause is unclear, but it’s a neurological problem that researchers theorize may result from a lack of iron in the brain or a physiological in processing and using iron. …

What should I know about myasthenia gravis?* *This myasthenia gravis section written by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD What is the medical definition of myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The thymus may give incorrect instructions to developing immune cells, ultimately resulting …

What is valproic acid, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Valproic acid and its derivative, divalproex, are oral drugs that are used for the treatment of convulsions, migraines and bipolar disorder. The active ingredient in both products is valproic acid. Divalproex is converted to valproic acid in the stomach. Scientists do not know the mechanism of action of …

What is meralgia paresthetica? Meralgia paresthetica is an entrapment or "pinching" of the nerve that supplies sensation to the outer portion of the thigh. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes "entrapped" as it passes under the ligament of the groin. The pressure on the nerve causes abnormal sensations of burning, pain, and numbness in the distribution of this nerve, the …

Locked-in syndrome facts Locked-in syndrome occurs when a person is quadriplegic and also has no way to produce speech or facial movements. The affected person cannot communicate but is aware of their surroundings; the patient can hear and see and has normal intelligence and reasoning ability but may only communicate with eye movements. The main causes of locked-in syndrome are …

Vagus (vagal) nerve stimulation (VNS) definition and facts The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve that supplies motor (muscle) nerve fibers to the throat, larynx, trachea, lungs, heart, esophagus and intestinal tract; it also sends sensory information back to the brain from the ear, tongue, pharynx and larynx. There are two vagus nerves on each side of your body …

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy definitions and facts Share Your Story Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that results in a disruption of information signals between the body and the brain that can cause neurological symptoms. MS is more prevalent in women of childbearing age than in any other group. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include: Pain Bladder and bowel …

What are cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs)? How do they work? Cholinesterase inhibitors or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are medications that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the body. Cholinesterase inhibitors block the action of acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine to an inactive form. This reduces nerve cell communications in your body that use acetylcholine to help transmit cell to …