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Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism is a disorder of the nervous system characterized by resting tremor, rigidity and shuffling gait. Further information and leaflets can be obtained from;
Parkinson's Disease Society
Information Department
22 Upper Woburn Place
London WC1H 0RA, UK
Telephone:+44 171 383 3513 Fax. +44 171 383 5754

Migraine

MIGRAINE is a disorder characterized by recurrent severe headache usually associated with disturbances of vision, sensation and movements often on only one side of the body. Further information and leaflets can be obtained from;
British Migraine Association
178a High Road,
Byfleet, Surrey KT14 7ED, UK
Telephone:+44 1932 352 468 Fax. +44 1932 351 257

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia is a disorder characterized by severe muscle fatigue. Further information and leaflets can be obtained from;
Parkinson's Disease Society
Information Department
22 Upper Woburn Place
London WC1H 0RA, UK
Telephone:+44 171 383 3513 Fax. +44 171 383 5754

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, causing abnormal sensation, movement or level of consciousness. Further information and leaflets can be obtained from;

Epilepsy Association of Scotland
48 Govan Road, Glasgow G5I 1JL, UK Telephone:+44 141 427 4911

British Epilepsy Association
National Information Center
Anstey House, Leeds.
Telephone: +44 1532 439 393

National Society for Epilepsy
Chafont Centre for Epilepsy
Chalfont St Peter,
Gerrards Cross,
Bucks SL9 0RJ
Telephone: +44 1494 873 991

Leaflets on Epilepsy

Useful Addresses

Brain Tumours

Brain tumours are a diverse group of tumours that occur within the cranial cavity Further information can be obtained from your local neuro-oncology teams.

Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma is a benign tumour of the vestibular nerve, often presents with progressive sensory neural deafness, vertigo and tinnitus.

The Acoustic Neuroma Association is a patient-organized support and information organization for those who face or have undergone acoustic neuroma removal. Founded in 1981, the Association is tax exempt. ANA offers understanding and assistance to those experiencing cranial nerve deficits. A quarterly newsletter is published and national meetings are held every other year. There is a Medical Advisory Board. The Acoustic Neuroma Association has the following purposes:

  1. To provide support and information to patients who have experienced acoustic neuroma or other tumors affecting the cranial nerves
  2. To act as an information source, including current medical advances, for physicians and health care personnel interested in the treatment of benign tumors and the alleviation of post-surgical problems experienced by patients
  3. To promote and support research on the cause, development, and treatment of acoustic neuroma and other benign cranial tumors
  4. To educate the public regarding symptoms suggestive of acoustic neuroma, thus promoting early diagnosis and successful treatment

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by aphasia, apraxia, agnosia and dementia and accounts for 50% of dementias.

The Alzheimer's Association is the National Voluntary Health Agency dedicated to researching the preventions, cures and treatments of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and providing support and assistance to afflicted patients and their families. The Association's mission is carried out by:

Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, uncontrollable muscular contractions that force certain parts of the body into abnormal, often painful, movements or positions. Besides the debilitating effect of the disease itself, dystonia sufferers are faced with an additional challenge due to the lack of awareness both on the part of the medical professions and in the public in general.

There are several different types of dystonia, including: are: Spasmodic Torticollis affecting the neck area; Generalized Dystonia affecting all parts of the body; Writer's Cramp affecting the hand and forearm; Blepharospasm characterized by an uncontrollable movement of the eyelids; Oromandibular Dystonia affecting the muscles of the jaw, tongue and mouth. Lack of awareness in the medical profession about this condition often leads to misdiagnosis and the patient is advised to seek psychiatric help.

Some sufferers are known to go long periods of time without seeking medical assistance because they succumb to the belief that their condition is merely self-inflicted. It can be seen that public awareness, along with the search for a cure for dystonia, remains the number one challenge for those dystonia sufferers who have grouped together in organizations all across the country. Such an organization is the Dystonia Support Group

Stroke

Stroke usually means sudden onst of neurological deficit such as loss of power of the hand or loss of speech due to lack of blood supply to an area or areas of the brain. If the deficit recovers within 24 hours the condition is named a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Other names commonly used is a Cerebro-Vascular- Accident or CVA.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is commonly known as 'water on the brain', although this is not accurate. A watery fluid, known as cerebro-spinal fluid (or CSF, for short), is produced constantly inside each of the four spaces or ventricles inside the brain. The CSF normally flows through narrow pathways from one ventricle to the next, then out over the outside of the brain and down the spinal cord. The CSF is absorbed into the bloodstream and the amount and pressure are normally kept within a fairly narrow range. If the drainage pathways are obstructed at any point, the fluid accumulates in the ventricles inside the brain, causing them to enlarge. In babies and infants, the head will also enlarge.

Von Hippel-Lindau Disease (vHL)

vHL disease is rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by multiple tumours such as haemangioblastoma of the cerebellum & spinal cord, renal cell cancer, retinal angiomas and phaeochromocytomas.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is a fault in the spinal column in which one or more vertebrae (the bones which form the backbone) fail to form properly, leaving a gap or split.There is a very mild and common form (Spina bifida Occulta) and very rarely causes disability. There is usually a slight deficiency in the formation of one of the vertebrae. It can take the form of a dimple or small hair growth on the back. However, many people are unaware that they have spina bifida occulta as they display absolutely no symptoms of the condition.

The other visible type (Spina bifida cystica) is more severe. If the sac contains only fluid, it is called meningocoele, but if it contained fluid and neural tissue, it is called myelomeningocoele.

Head Injury

In Scotland approximately 5700 people sustain moderate to severe head trauma each year of whom 800 would be severe. Approximately 200 can be expected to die. Over 5000 will be left with some form of disability for the rest of their lives. About 2 % of the population attend hospitals with some form of head trauma. The average age of a head injured person is about 30 years and expected to survive for a further 50 years and head injury is the major cause of disability in men under the age of 60 in the UK.

Further information can be obtained from H.I.T.S. (Head Injuries Trust for Scotland) at
HITS,
7 Queens Crescent,
Glasgow G4 9BW
Tel; +44 141 332 6104 or Fax; +44 141 353 2543
also from
HITS,
Dundas Resource Centre,
Oxgang Road,
GRANGEMOUTH FK3 9ET
Tel; +44 1324 471311 or Fax; +44 1324 471800

United Kingdom Charities

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