Neurological Conditions

Definitions - Neurological Conditions - G - Gangliosidoses to Guillain Barre Syndrome

Neurological definitions from Disabled World starting with G from Gangliosidoses to Guillain Barre Syndrome

Gangliosidoses - The GM1 gangliosidoses are caused by a deficiency of beta-galactosidase, with resulting abnormal storage of acidic lipid materials in cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems, but particularly in the nerve cells. Excess lipid materials build up to harmful levels in the central and peripheral nervous systems, particularly in nerve cells. These genetically different disorders occur when both parents pass along the same mutated gene that regulates these proteins. Symptoms of early infantile GM1 (the most severe subtype, with onset shortly after birth) may include neurodegeneration, seizures, liver and spleen enlargement, coarsening of facial features, skeletal irregularities, joint stiffness, distended abdomen, muscle weakness, exaggerated startle response to sound, and problems with gait. No specific treatment exists for the gangliosidoses. Anticonvulsants may initially control seizures. Other supportive treatment includes proper nutrition and hydration and keeping the airway open.

Gaucher's Disease - is the most common of the lysosomal storage diseases. It is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, leading to an accumulation of its substrate, the fatty substance glucocerebroside (also known as glucosylceramide). Fatty material can collect in the spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs, brain and bone marrow. Symptoms may include enlarged spleen and liver, liver malfunction, skeletal disorders and bone lesions that may cause pain, severe neurologic complications, swelling of lymph nodes and (occasionally) adjacent joints, distended abdomen, a brownish tint to the skin, anemia, low blood platelets and yellow fatty deposits on the sclera.

Gerstmann's Syndrome - is a neurological disorder characterized by four primary symptoms: a writing disability (agraphia or dysgraphia), a lack of understanding of the rules for calculation or arithmetic (acalculia or dyscalculia), an inability to distinguish right from left, and an inability to identify fingers (finger agnosia).

Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease - In adults, the syndrome may occur after a stroke or in association with damage to the parietal lobe. In addition to exhibiting the above symptoms, many adults also experience aphasia, (difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking, in understanding speech, or in reading and writing).

Giant Cell Arteritis - (GCA) is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries — the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Adults older than age 50 are at greatest risk of giant cell arteritis. Although there's no cure for giant cell arteritis, immediate treatment with corticosteroid medications usually relieves symptoms and prevents loss of vision.

Giant Cell Inclusion Disease - The cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus found universally throughout the world that infects between 50 to 80 percent of all adults in the United States by the age of 40.  CMV is in the same family of viruses that includes herpes simplex types 1 and 2, and the viruses that cause infectious mononucleosis (EBV), chickenpox, and shingles. There is no cure for CMV infection. Good hygiene, including proper hand washing, is recommended to avoid transmission from one person to the next. Individuals who work with young children should avoid sharing drinking glasses and utensils, and carefully throw away diapers, tissues, and other items contaminated with body fluids. For most people CMV infection is not a problem.

Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy - or Krabbé disease is a rare, inherited degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems.  It is characterized by the presence of globoid cells (cells that have more than one nucleus), the breakdown of the nerve’s protective myelin coating, and destruction of brain cells.  Krabbé disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called the leukodystrophies. There is no cure for Krabbé disease. Results of a very small clinical trial of patients with infantile Krabbé disease found that children who received umbilical cord blood stem cells from unrelated donors prior to symptom onset developed with little neurological impairment.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia - is a chronic pain syndrome that causes intense, shooting pains in the back of the tongue and throat, tonsillar areas, and middle ear. The cause of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is not completely understood, although it seems that conditions (tumors, infections, injuries, or blood vessels located close to the glossopharyngeal nerve) that put pressure on the glossopharyngeal nerve may sometimes be responsible for its development. Individuals with diabetes or multiple sclerosis may also develop glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Glycogen Storage Disease - (glycogenosis, dextrinosis) is any one of several inborn errors of metabolism that result from enzyme defects that affect the processing of glycogen synthesis or breakdown within muscles, liver, and other cell types. There are nine diseases that are commonly considered to be glycogen storage diseases.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome - (GBS) is an acute, autoimmune, polyradiculoneuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually triggered by an acute infectious process. There are several types of GBS, but unless otherwise stated, GBS refers to the most common form, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). It is frequently severe and usually exhibits as an ascending paralysis noted by weakness in the legs that spreads to the upper limbs and the face along with complete loss of deep tendon reflexes. With prompt treatment of plasmapheresis followed by immunoglobulins and supportive care, the majority of patients will regain full functional capacity. However, death may occur if severe pulmonary complications and dysautonomia are present.

Alphabetical list of Neurological Disorder Definitions.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - V - W - X - Z

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