Definitions - Neurological Conditions - R

» Neurological Conditions

By - 2006-01-13

Definitions of Neurological Conditions These definitions from Disabled World begin with the letter R.

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Ramsay Hunt Syndrome I - is a rare and nebulous entity that has alternatively been called dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica, dyssynergia cerebellaris progressiva, dentatorubral degeneration, or Ramsay Hunt cerebellar syndrome. Characterized by seizures, cognitive impairment, action myoclonus, and progressive ataxia. Symptoms include seizures, tremor, and reduced muscle coordination. Myoclonus and seizures may be treated with drugs like valproate. RHS type 1 is caused by the impairment of a regulatory mechanism between cerebellar and brainstem nuclei and has been associated with a wide range of diseases, including Lafora disease and celiac disease.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome II - a disorder that is caused by the reactivation of pre-existing herpes zoster virus in a nerve cell bundle (the geniculate ganglion). The neurons in this ganglion are responsible for the movements of facial muscles, the touch sensation of a part of ear and ear canal, the taste function of the frontal two-thirds of the tongue, and the moisturization of the eyes and the mouth. The syndrome specifically refers to the combination of this entity with weakness of the muscles activated by the facial nerve. In isolation the latter entity would be called Bell's Palsy. Symptoms and signs include acute facial nerve paralysis, pain in the ear, taste loss in the front two-thirds of the tongue, dry mouth and eyes, and eruption of veiscles in the ear canal, the tongue, and/or hard palate.

Rasmussen's Encephalitis - a rare, chronic inflammatory disease that usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain.  It occurs in children under the age of 10 (and more rarely in adolescents and adults), and is characterized by frequent and severe seizures, loss of motor skills and speech, paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and mental deterioration.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome - RSDS, also called: Causalgia, CRPS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, involves a disturbance in the sympathetic nervous system which is the network of nerves located alongside the spinal cord and controls certain bodily functions, such as opening and closing blood vessels or sweat glands. It primarily affects the hands and feet. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure. It can get worse over time, and may spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally it goes away, either temporarily or for good. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain, and can include medicines, physical therapy and nerve blocks.

Refsum Disease - Adult Refsum disease (ARD) is one of a group of genetic diseases called leukodystrophies, which damage the white matter of the brain and affect motor movements.  Due to a genetic abnormality, people with ARD disease lack the enzyme that breaks down phytanic acid, a substance commonly found in foods. As a result, toxic levels of phytanic acid build up in the brain, blood, and other tissues.  The disease usually begins in late childhood with increasing night blindness due to degeneration of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) and loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). The primary treatment for  ARD is to restrict or avoid foods that contain phytanic acid, including dairy products; beef and lamb; and fatty fish such as tuna, cod, and haddock.

Refsum Disease - Infantile - (IRD) is one of a small group of genetic diseases called peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD), which are part of a larger group of diseases called the leukodystrophies.  These are inherited conditions that damage the white matter of the brain and affect motor movements.  IRD is the mildest of the PBDs; Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia have similar, but more severe, symptoms.

Repetitive Motion Disorders - Any of various injuries caused by repetitive motion which may include Carpal tunnel syndrome, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Epicondylitis, Ganglion cyst, Tenosynovitis, Trigger finger, Writer's cramp, Repetitive Strain Injury, Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow.

Repetitive Stress Injuries - (RSI), also called cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), occupational overuse syndrome, or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD), is any of a loose group of conditions resulting from overuse of a tool, eg. computer, guitar, knife, etc. or other activity that requires repeated movements. It is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back.

Restless Legs Syndrome - (RLS, Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, or sometimes referred to as Nocturnal myoclonus) is a condition that is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's legs. It is described as uncontrollable urges to move the limbs to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations in the body, most commonly in the legs, but can also be in the arms and torso. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.

Retrovirus-Associated Myelopathy - or  Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, For several decades the term "tropical spastic paraparesis" (TSP) was used to describe a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome that affected adults living in equatorial areas of the world. Treatments for Retrovirus-Associated Myelopathy (Tropical Spastic Paraparesis) include: Treatments for spacticity, Lioresal, and Tizanidine.

Rett Syndrome - a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by normal early development followed by loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation. It affects females almost exclusively. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations (structural alterations or defects) in the MECP2 (pronounced meck-pea-two) gene, which is found on the X chromosome.

Reye's Syndrome - a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver. It is associated with aspirin consumption by children with viral diseases such as chicken pox. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children under 19 years of age during episodes of fever-causing illnesses.

Rheumatic Encephalitis - Sydenham chorea (SD) is a neurological disorder of childhood resulting from infection via Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), the bacterium that causes rheumatic fever.  SD is characterized by rapid, irregular, and aimless involuntary movements of the arms and legs, trunk, and facial muscles.  It affects girls more often than boys and typically occurs between 5 and 15 years of age.

Riley-Day Syndrome - A very rare congenital disorder of the autonomic nervous system, occurring almost exclusively in Ashkenazi Jewish children. Symptoms include lack of tears, emotional instability, relative indifference to pain and lack of a flare response to skin scratch, corneal ulcers, hypertension, stress, taste deficiency, decreased fungiform and circumvalate papillae, unexplained bouts of fever, urinary frequency, and absent deep tendon reflexes.

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

"Definitions - Neurological Conditions - R"