Chapter fourteen focuses on the major types of damage to the brain and on the symptoms associated with such brain damage. The opening section covers the various types of brain tumors. Seizure disorders are characterized by excessive neuronal activity and can be classified as partial or generalized in nature. Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) include those related to brain bleeding (hemorrhagic) or to the plugging of a brain blood vessel (obstructive). The next major section covers disorders of development including those related to toxic chemicals (e.g. alcohol), inherited metabolic disorders, and Down syndrome. The degenerative disorders include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. The final chapter section covers disorders resulting from infectious diseases (AIDs).

After completing the chapter, each student should be able to:

• Discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of brain tumors, seizure disorders, and cerebrovasular accidents.
• Discuss developmental disorders resulting from toxic chemicals, inherited metabolic disorders, and Down syndrome.
• Discuss the causes of Parkinson’s disease and of Huntington’s chorea.
• Describe the neurological changes evident in Parkinson’s disease and in Huntington’s chorea.
• Discuss the causes and neurological changes resulting from Alzheimer’s disease.
• Discuss the causes and neurological changes resulting from multiple sclerosis.
• Discuss causes, symptoms, and available treatments for encepalitis, dementia caused by the AIDS virus, and meningitis.