#Neurological Disorders

[vm-sys]

shout out to clumsy people.

shout out to people with coordination issues.

shout out to people with dyspraxia.

shout out to people with apraxia.

shout out to people with muscle weakness.

shout out to people with paresis.

shout out to people with paralysis.

shout out to people with arthritis n/or joint deformities.

shout out to people with chronic pain whose pain makes it hard to control their movements.

shout out to people with chronic fatigue whose fatigue makes them hard to control their movements.

shout out to people with balance issues.

shout out to people with other conditions that make hard to control body n/or movements.

shout out to people who are undiagnosed n struggling with control movements.

it's not your fault. it's not your carelessness. you deserve support n accommodations. you shouldn't be judged or mocked. you deserve respect. your struggles deserve respect.

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[themonsterthing]

Being disabled or chronically ill means being terrified of your bad days.

No, really. Terrified.

It is genuine terror when you forget something important. It is true fear when you miss a step and fall. It is horror when you realize you never texted your friend back about something exciting. Because, a bad day for an able-bodied person is just a bad day. For the disabled, it’s: “am I having a flare? Is my illness getting worse? Who knows where I am if I hurt myself and need help? Is this it? Is the life I’ve been trying to build over? Should I see another (fucking useless) doctor? Have I documented my symptoms enough that they’ll care?”

Because for us, it’s that little. A mysterious bruise, forgetting to send an email - it could be just a bad day. Or it could be a recurrence of our worst symptoms , signs our health is deteriorating: because at the end of the day, we have no real control over our health, hard as we try. We can do everything right, and it will still not be enough.

You don’t get to have bad days, as a disabled person.

[zebulontheplanet]

See posts from people saying things like "If i can do this, so can you!''

What if we can't? What if we can't learn a new sport, what if we can't be valedictorian of our school? what if we can't learn a new language? what if we can't excel in some areas? What if we can't?

Your posts about "Oh i did this so you can definitely too" are plain weird because i bet someone read that and CAN'T do the things you're saying they can. Stop it. Just stop with your takes. Maybe look at a bigger picture.

[ghost-bison]

something interesting about executive dysfunction that i realized yesterday is this: if you have it, and someone tries to tell you you are "lazy" and to just "get out of bed, it's not that difficult", then you should know that executive dysfunction is linked to the dopamine deficit in your brain (research that i think it's common in neurological disorders).

dopamine is responsible for your motivation, your pleasure, and overall satisfaction. meaning, if your brain doesn't produce enough of it, it can lead to intrusive thoughts, extreme perfectionism, you never finishing anything because you fear it's never good enough or because of the pressure around it (yes i am looking at you, school projects), and also anxiety, depression, simple tasks (showering, eating, chores, taking public transportation) making you feel existential dread (= you would rather decompose than do those and in fact, the prospect is becoming more and more attractive).

so yeah, conclusion: no dopamine = shit.

now, something else that's interesting is how i came to think of that: i was talking to my mum and she mentioned that her aunt died of parkinson's disease, and that nowadays they "treat" parkinson with... drum rolls... dopamine! that's right bitches, it is that deep.

i looked it up on the internet, and apparently, "parkinson's disease first induces a gradual degeneration of the dopamine neurons in the brain, dopamine being a neurotransmitter involved in the control of several functions such as voluntary movements, cognition, motivation and affects".

so if i got this right, there is literally a connection between parkinson and executive dysfunction.

so if anyone bothers you again with how "lazy" you are, try to explain this to them because you are valid, you shouldn't feel guilty about fucking things up when your brain is literally conditioned to do so. and you should know that even though it is, you are not doomed for failure, there are ways around it! crutches if not miracles, but still crutches: take your meds, talk to a therapist, don't be afraid to take advantage of the commodities that have been put there for you to use; they are there for a reason, you know?

stay safe, you are understood by more people than you think. fuck those who don't try. fuck those who don't believe you; i do.

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Hi everyone,

Since its epilepsy awareness month, I wanted to share an interesting study about its connection to autism. According to the abstract:

Autism is more common in people with epilepsy, approximately 20%, and epilepsy is more common in people with autism with reported rates of approximately 20%.

However, these figures are likely to be affected by the current broader criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which have contributed to an increased prevalence of autism, with the result that the rate for ASD in epilepsy is likely to be higher and the figure for epilepsy in ASD is likely to be lower.

Some evidence suggests that there are two peaks of epilepsy onset in autism, in infancy and adolescence. The rate of autism in epilepsy is much higher in those with intellectual disability. In conditions such as the Landau–Kleffner syndrome and nonconvulsive status epilepticus, the epilepsy itself may present with autistic features. There is no plausible mechanism for autism causing epilepsy, however.

The co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy is almost certainly the result of underlying factors predisposing to both conditions, including both genetic and environmental factors. Conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and sleep disorders are common in both epilepsy and autism. Epilepsy is generally not a contraindication to treating these conditions with suitable medication, but it is important to take account of relevant drug interactions.

One of the greatest challenges in autism is to determine why early childhood regression occurs in perhaps 25%. Further research should focus on finding the cause for such regression. Whether epilepsy plays a role in the regression of a subgroup of children with autism who lose skills remains to be determined.

I put the text in paragraphs so it’s easier to read and not jumbled up. I hope you all find this informative and interesting. 💜

[a-sassy-bench]

spent the morning with my neurologist explaining to me how i might need brain surgery and now I have to pretend everything's cool and go to work or i won't have insurance for brain surgery

[bpod-bpod]

Neuron Membrane Shaper

Vital role revealed of a BAR domain protein called FAM92A1 in remodelling neuron membranes during brain development, particularly at synapses, the structure that allows passage of signals from one neuron to another. Insight into the risk of FAM92A1 mutation leading to human neurological disorders

Read the published research article here

Image from work by Liang Wang and Ziyun Yang, and colleagues

Mental Health Center & National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Nature Communications, July 2024

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

"I hate religion. I think it's a neurological disorder." -- Bill Maher

[drchristophedelongsblog]

Brain pathways: an information superhighway

Understanding the neural network

The brain, our body's conductor, is a complex network of billions of interconnected neurons. These neurons communicate with each other via specialized pathways known as nerve tracts. These pathways are essential for transmitting sensory, motor and cognitive information throughout the body.

Main brain pathways

1. The pyramidal pathway

- Role: The pyramidal pathway is primarily responsible for the voluntary control of movement. It connects the primary motor cortex to the motor neurons in the spinal cord, enabling the initiation and control of precise skeletal muscle movements.

- Components: It comprises the corticospinal bundle and the corticobulbar bundle.

- How it works: Nerve signals from the motor cortex travel down this pathway to activate the muscles concerned.

2. Sensory pathways

- Role: These pathways transmit sensory information from the body to the brain.

- Types of sensitivity:

o Tactile sensitivity: Allows us to perceive touch, pressure and vibration.

o Thermal sensitivity: Allows us to perceive heat and cold.

o Deep sensitivity: Allows us to perceive the position of limbs in space (proprioception) and joint movements.

o Pain sensitivity: Allows us to perceive pain.

- Pathway: Sensory information is transmitted by peripheral nerves to the spinal cord, then back to the brain via various ascending pathways.

3. Specific sensory pathways

- Visual: transmits visual information from the retina to the occipital lobe.

- Auditory: Transmits auditory information from the inner ear to the temporal lobe.

- Olfactory pathway: transmits olfactory information from olfactory receptors to the olfactory bulb.

- Taste pathway: transmits taste information from the taste buds to the taste cortex.

4. Proprioception pathway

- Role: Proprioception is the sense that enables us to know our body's position in space.

- How it works: Proprioceptive receptors in muscles, tendons and joints constantly send information to the brain about the state of muscle contraction, joint angle and limb position.

- Importance: Proprioception is essential for movement coordination, balance and posture.

Nerve pathway disorders

Damage to or dysfunction of these pathways can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, such as :

- Hemiplegia: Paralysis of one side of the body.

- Paresthesia: Sensation of numbness or tingling.

- Ataxia: Loss of coordination of movements.

- Blindness: Loss of vision.

- Deafness: Loss of hearing.

In conclusion

Brain pathways are complex networks that ensure communication between the brain and the body. Understanding how they work is essential for grasping the mechanisms underlying many physiological and pathological processes.

Go further

[vanivisualsart]

Epilepsy, POTS, and brain fog ko-fi

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

'Nothing Without Us'- Gordon, Cait. Johnson, Talia C.

Disability Rep: Multiple; Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Deaf, Sign Language, Genetic Disease, Cane User, Mental Illness, Seizures, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurological Impairment, Bipolar, Spinal Injury, Chronic Pain, Walking/Mobility Impairment, Chemical Sensitivity, Neurodivergence, Physical Disability, Multiple Personality Disorder, Amputee

Genre: Multi-Genre; Speculative, Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Realistic, Contemporary, Horror,

Age: Young Adult, New Adult, Adult

Setting: Multiple- Possibly Canada

Additional Rep: Queer, Non-Binary, Neo-Pronouns, TBD

For more information on summaries, content warnings and additional tropes, see here:

[facts-withjayy]

Expanding on my post on my main blog

(@written-by-jayy), about RLS

So before posting this, despite having RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome), there is still much for me to learn about it. I'll be crediting any articles, posts, etc. in the comments (please don't hesitate to add on in comments, reblogs, or asks if I missed anything, or if you have any questions. If I'm able to verify them as true, I'll add them onto this and credit you and link your post/account in the comments. Thank you!). Anyway, without further ado...

RLS has no known cause or cure, though there are ways of providing relief for yourself. Some of which include: apply heating or cooling pack, moderate exercise, massage, warm bath, iron supplements, etc.

RLS is a diagnosed neurological disorder that causes feelings and sensations such as aching, burning, itching, cramping, etc., primarily in the legs but can also occasionally occur in the arms, chest, and neck.

This disorder must be diagnosed by a professional, but some signs and symptom/affects include "A strong and often overwhelming urge to move your legs that is often associated with abnormal, unpleasant, or uncomfortable sensations"-1. Along with difficulty sleeping, frustration (this one's a personal addition. It causes very much frustration for me :]), etc.

Bending, stretching, massaging, pacing, etc. are all ways of providing temporary relief-2, as well as what I previously mentioned.

Some other things to note about RLS:

Can happen at any time of the day but is worst at evening and night or during rest or inactivity

SYMPTOMS ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED. NOT EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE SYMPTOMS I LISTED AND NOT EVERYONE WILL FIND RELIEF FROM THE METHODS I INCLUDED

ADDITIONALLY, MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED LIKELY FIND RELIEF OR HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT I DID NOT MENTION SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I MISSED ANY

There is not a test for RLS, so it is diagnosed with a doctor's evaluation

Before trying medicine or supplements to help, please talk to your health care provider

Again, if I missed anything please add on or let me know so I can update this and credit you! Thank you!

[a-sassy-bench]

epilepsy makes people uncomfortable.

i get it. it's weird to grapple with the knowledge that absolutely everything you know and understand about yourself, your entire self-concept, is basically just magic computer code farted out by a blob of meat and if it farts in just the right wrong way, everything goes to shit and there ain't shit you can do about it.

i understand that it's unsettling. i get it. i think about it every day.

we're not doing disability olympics here, okay? but i feel like it's valid to notice how people i've known who were diagnosed with cancer get a cake and people wear wristbands and whatever (which is truly beautiful and i'm not criticizing it) but when you tell them you were just diagnosed with epilepsy they say "oh" and then move on.

you get this massive, life altering news, and everyone goes "oh" and then never brings it up again.

i do not have words to articulate how incredibly isolating that is.

i wish they would ask questions, make jokes, anything other than just moving on and forgetting or pretending it's not a thing or whatever the hell it is they're doing.

i need to know you know what it is. epilepsy is not just what you see on tv. i am not going to fall on the floor in front of you in some dramatic display. i'm going to be a weird, spacey, dysfunctional mess and it will either be super obvious and embarrassing or almost imperceptible because i am trying through sheer force of will to not absolutely lose my fucking shit while my amygdala is literally producing the feeling of pure, unadulterated terror in the middle of the office or at the grocery store.

i need to know you know what it is. i need to know you will cover me in a meeting when i forget what words are. i need to know that you will re-direct conversations with friends over to you when you can tell my brain is doing a reboot.

it'd be so beautiful to know that you see my subtle but telltale sway

and it'd be so beautiful to know that you know it means my brain has made the room tilt under my feet

nothing would be more reassuring to me than knowing you know when to put a steadying hand on my shoulder

that's all i'm asking

i need it

.

[gabrielora]

I was questioning if I had ADHD bc both of my parents are diagnosed and I have symptoms, and then I realized every time I see a video relating to ADHD symptoms I relate to it and my brain just filed it as “oh yeah no shit?” Instead of thinking “oh.. that’s not normal but I do that.” Like i did for my Tourettes and my physical symptoms. I already have Tourettes and most likely Autism so I’m afraid to ask for a diagnosis bc people are REALLY gonna accuse me of faking.

[ecomehdi]

Outstanding Understanding the Nervous System: Parts and Functions 1

Have you ever wondered how your body coordinates all its movements and processes? It’s all thanks to an incredible network known as the nervous system. In this article, we’ll take a journey through the intricate workings of the nervous system, breaking down its parts and unveiling its fascinating functions. The Central Command: Brain and Spinal Cord The brain and spinal cord are the dynamic duo…