Brain Diseases

When the brain is healthy it functions quickly and automatically. However, when problems occur, the results can be devastating. Some of the major types of disorders include:

  • neurogenetic diseases, eg. Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy;
  • developmental disorders, eg. cerebral palsy;
  • degenerative diseases of adult life, eg. Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease;
  • metabolic diseases, eg. Gaucher’s disease;
  • cerebrovascular diseases, eg. stroke and vascular dementia;
  • trauma, eg. spinal cord and head injury;
  • convulsive disorders, eg. epilepsy;
  • infectious diseases, eg. AIDS dementia; and
  • brain tumors

The Howard Florey Institute: Australia's brain research centre conducts research to develop treatments and new medical practices for brain disorders.

Follow the links below to find information relating to brain diseases.

Updated January 2008

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Related HealthInsite Topics
Brain Cancer
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on brain cancer or brain tumours, including treatment and risk factors.
Cerebral Palsy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on cerebral palsy.
Coma
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about coma.
Dementia
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on dementia and about support services for sufferers, their carers and their families.
Encephalitis
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on encephalitis.
Epilepsy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on epilepsy.
Huntington's Disease
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information and support for people affected by Huntington´s Disease.
Migraine
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on migraine headaches.
Muscular Dystrophy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on muscular dystrophy.
Parkinson's Disease
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on Parkinson´s Disease.
Stroke
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on stroke and its symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, risk factors, support services and statistics.
Tourette Syndrome
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about Tourette Syndrome.
Tuberous Sclerosis
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that commonly causes tuber like growths in the brain.
Systematic Reviews of Treatments for Brain Diseases
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to systematic reviews of the evidence for the effectiveness of therapies for brain diseases
14 Resources Found
Results 1 to 14 displayed.
Title:   Electroencephalogram
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical test used to measure the electrical activity of the brain, via electrodes applied to your scalp. EEG can help diagnose a number of conditions, including epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain tumours.
Date:   May 2008
Title:   About the Florey
Publisher:   Howard Florey Institute
Description:   The Howard Florey Institute is Australia's largest brain research institute. The Florey's scientists are at the forefront of the neuroscience revolution that promises to improve individual and community health around the world. They are unravelling the brain's complex puzzles in an effort to develop better treatments for the millions of Australians affected by brain disorders every year.
Date:   Nov 2007
Title:   Our services
Publisher:   Brainlink Foundation
Description:   We assist children and adults affected by brain disorders to live as independently as possible in the community through the provision of information and support services.
Date:   Sep 2007
Title:   Sleep disorders - narcolepsy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   A person with narcolepsy is extremely sleepy all the time and, in severe cases, falls asleep involuntarily several times every day. This is a rare condition with no cure.
Date:   Jul 2007
Title:   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) treatments
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem related to brain development. Find out how doctors treat ADHD with medicines and psychological therapy.
Date:   Jul 2007
Title:   Rett syndrome
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Rett syndrome is a severe disorder of the nervous system. It is usually only seen in girls and affects all body movement. It causes loss of speech and hand use. Girls with Rett syndrome need therapy to help them with movement and communication.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Brain explained
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The brain oversees bodily functions and allows consciousness. This delicate organ can be affected by a wide range of disorders and events such as trauma, stroke and tumours. Symptoms and effects depend on which brain areas are affected.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Leukodystrophy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Leukodystrophy refers to a group of inherited disorders which affect the white matter of the brain. Most affect children, but some affect adults. These are progressive conditions, which means they get worse over time. They cause loss of normal brain functions. There is no cure, but treatment can help manage some of the symptoms. The symptoms can include subtle or gradual changes to mental ability, muscle tone, movement, speech, eyesight, hearing and behaviour.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Hydrocephalus
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Hydrocephalus is the abnormal enlargement of the brain cavities (ventricles) caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid. Untreated, hydrocephalus can result in brain damage or death. There is no cure, but hydrocephalus can be managed with surgery.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a bleed usually associated with aneurysms or other weakened blood vessels of the brain. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Date:   Mar 2007
Title:   Tay-Sachs disease
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is an inherited (genetic) condition common in Jews and French-Canadians. A mutated gene stops the body from producing an enzyme needed for proper brain functioning. This leads to paralysis and death, usually by the age of five.
Date:   Jan 2007
Title:   Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   These sleep conditions are characterised by recurrent episodes of daytime somnolence and lapses in consciousness.
Date:   Aug 2006
Title:   Review of Aspirin / Reye's syndrome warning statement
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   At its meeting on 3 April 2003, the Medicines Evaluation Committee agreed to re-examine the evidence linking aspirin use in children or teenagers with chicken pox, influenza or fever, with Reye's Syndrome, with a view to making further recommendations to the NDPSC about the advisability of adopting the UK warning statement.
Date:   Apr 2004
Title:   Arterio-venous malformation of the brain
Publisher:   Sydney Children's Hospital,The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Description:   An arterio-venous malformation (AVM) is a condition that happens during growth in the womb. It occurs in the small capillaries between an artery and a vein. An explanation of what it is, symptoms that may be experienced, and treatment are provided.
Date:   Aug 2000
Results 1 to 14 displayed.