Spinal cord disorders

Tizanidine [Zanaflex] Adult 8 mg every 6-8 hours as needed. Children The safety and effficacy of this drug in treating spasticity in children have not been established. May reduce a in spinal cord disorders while producing fewer side effects and less generalized muscle weakness than other agents (oral baclofen, diazepam]. 

A potential source of cyanide poisoning is cassava, a starch from the root of Manihot esculenta, used as food in much of Africa. The root contains cyanogenic linamarin, which is normally removed in processing the root for food. Widespread cases of a spinal cord disorder called konzo and characterized by spastic paralysis have been attributed to ingestion of linamarin from inadequately... 

Adrenocortical insufficiency Organ transplants Liver disease Adrenogenital syndrome Nephrotic syndrome Acute spinal cord injury Hyp ere alemia Hematologic disorders Myasthenia gravis Neoplastic disease... 

Neurological symptoms result from demyelination of the spinal cord and are potentially irreversible. The symptoms and signs characteristic of a vitamin B 2 deficiency include paresthesis of the hands and feet, decreased deep-tendon reflexes, unsteadiness, and potential psychiatric problems such as moodiness, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Neuropsychiatric disorders sometimes develop independently of the anemia, particularly in elderly patients. Visual loss may develop as a result of optic atrophy. 

ALS is a disorder of the motor neurons and the cortical neurons that provide their input. The disorder is characterized by rapidly progressive weakness and muscle atrophy. Most affected patients die of respiratory compromise and pneumonia after 2 to 3 years. There is prominent loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem although the oculomotor neurons are spared. Large pyramidal motor neurons in layer V of motor cortex, which are the origin of the descending corticospinal tracts, are also lost. 

There have been a number of studies to evaluate the therapeutic effect of carmabinoids against spastic disorders, including multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. For example, a randomised placebo-controlled trial in more than... 

Neurologic disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson s disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury)... 

People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (i.e., a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders)... 

The functional significance of myelin is revealed by the neurological deficits observed in patients with multiple sclerosis. This disorder is caused by the demyelination of neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. The loss of myelin disrupts the normal conduction of impulses along the axons of these neurons and results in weakness, numbness, loss of bladder control, and visual disturbances. 

Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, may be caused by the lack of hypocretin mRNA and peptides in humans (Peyron et al., 2000) or a disruption of the hypocretin receptor 2 or its ligand in dogs and mice (Lin et al., 1999 Chemelli et al., 1999). Hypocretin-containing neurons are located exclusively in the dorsomedial, lateral, and perifornical hypothalamic areas (Peyron et al., 1998). Two hypocretin sequences, Hcrt-1 (orexin-A) and Hcrt-2 (orexin-B), are generated from a single preprohypocretin (De Lecea et al., 1998 Peyron et al, 1998 Sakurai et al, 1998). Axons from these neurons are found in the hypothalamus, locus coeruleus (LC), raphe nuclei, tuberomamillary nucleus, midline thalamus, all levels of spinal cord, sympathetic and parasympathetic centers, and many other brain regions... 

Diseases selectively targeting spinal cord and brainstem motor neurons (e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the familial spinal muscular atrophies) or the presynaptic component of neuromuscular junctions (e.g. Lambert-Eaton syndrome, botulism and Ixodes tick paralysis) cause weakness without sensory impairment. Disorders involving the enteric nervous system (e.g. Chagas disease and Hirschsprung s disease) impair bowel motility. 

A broad variety of diseases may cause neuropathic pain. The majority of diseases associated with neuropathic pain involve the peripheral nervous system. These diseases include traumatic injuries hereditary, metabolic, inflammatory or paraneoplastic neuropathies and infections. However, neuropathic pain can also be caused by injuries or disorders affecting the spinal cord or the brain (central neuropathic pain) tumors stroke epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders [20]. Genetic factors appear to contribute to inter-individual differences in the susceptibility to neuropathic pain. 

Adverse effects of copper deficiency can be documented in terrestrial plants and invertebrates, poultry, small laboratory animals, livestock — especially ruminants — and humans. Data are scarce or missing on copper deficiency effects in aquatic plants and animals and in avian and mammalian wildlife. Copper deficiency in sheep, the most sensitive ruminant mammal, is associated with depressed growth, bone disorders, depigmentation of hair or wool, abnormal wool growth, fetal death and resorption, depressed estrous, heart failure, cardiovascular defects, gastrointestinal disturbances, swayback, pathologic lesions, and degeneration of the motor tracts of the spinal cord (NAS 1977). 

Causes of organic ED include diseases that compromise vascular flow to the corpora cavernosum (e.g., peripheral vascular disease, arteriosclerosis, essential hypertension), impair nerve conduction to the brain (e.g., spinal cord injury, stroke), and are associated with hypogonadism (e.g., prostate or testicular cancer, hypothalamic or pituitary disorders). 

Ataxia An inability to coordinate muscle activity during voluntary movement, so that smooth movements occur. Most often due to disorders of the cerebellum or the posterior columns of the spinal cord may involve the limbs, head, or trunk. 

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