Scientifically studying the effects of marijuana has historically been fraught with inaccuracies and unempirical results. However, the studies seem to be pointing to a common thread: marijuana is associated with diminished motivation. In a recent review, Volkow et al. (1) examined the effects of marijuana on motivation. Animal studies and preliminary human investigations have linked […]
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Rheumatologic Conditions
Rheumatologic conditions are diseases that affect the joints and connective tissues. Individuals with these conditions may experience cognitive symptoms. This article will discuss the cognitive and neural consequences of some common types of rheumatologic illnesses, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, systemic lupus erythematous, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is defined as widespread joint pain and […]
Primary Progressive Aphasia
Overview Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive language decline. It is the less common type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which accounts for 20-40% of cases. The other type of FTD is called behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia, which affects personality and behavior. There are three subtypes of primary progressive aphasia, […]
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction refers to a persistent cognitive dysfunction that occurs subsequent to surgery and anesthesia that is beyond postoperative delirium, a transient state of cognitive change. Until recently, the majority of research on postoperative cognitive dysfunction has focused on cardiac surgery. However, emerging evidence has found the presence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after major non-cardiac […]
Lyme Disease
Overview Lyme disease is a tick-born illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms include skin lesions, neurological signs, cardiac symptoms, and arthritis. This article will focus on the neurological aspects of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is typically successfully treated with antibiotics; however, a minority of individuals develop chronic Lyme disease. The efficacy of prolonged […]
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Overview Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a neurodegenerative disorder (or dementia) characterized by physical (resemble Parkinson’s disease), psychiatric (visual hallucinations), and cognitive (fluctuating cognition) symptoms. It is the second most common type of age-related dementia, preceded by Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, an individual may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment when deficits have not significantly […]
Huntington’s Disease
Overview Huntington’s disease (HD) is a degenerative genetic disorder that typically begins in early to middle adulthood. There are some HD cases that begin in early childhood and adolescence. Individuals with HD experience a variety of symptoms, including motor, cognitive, and psychiatric disturbances. In the early stages of the disorder, an individual is able to […]
Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal ...
Overview Behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by prominent changes in personality and behavior. It is the more common type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which accounts for 70% of cases. The other type of FTD is called primary progressive aphasia, which affects language abilities. Initially, an individual with bvFTD may […]
Epilepsy
Overview According to the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), epilepsy is a syndrome characterized by an “enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures.” Epileptic seizures are clinical events that can affect sensory, motor, and autonomic functions, as well as consciousness, emotional state, cognition, and behavior (1). Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of etiologies, such […]
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder (or dementia) notable for prominent memory loss and other cognitive impairments. It is the most common form of age-related dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed through neuropsychological assessment, in which the individual’s cognitive abilities are tested using standardized administration of paper-and-pencil tests, and neuroimaging. Initially, an individual may be […]