Overview of Functional Disorders Functional disorder is a disorder of the function of the patient without a neurologic cause. The etiology is in the mind of the patient, usually subconsciously but sometimes with conscious intent. Conversion disorder is considered to…
Overview of Infectious Disease Neuroinfectious diseases are a prominent aspect of acute care neurology. For many patients, there is not a specific localization but rather a mode of presentation that raises suspicion for infections of the nervous system. Effects of…
Overview of Autoimmune Disorders Autoimmune disorders rely on clinical diagnosis including localization. However, there is no specific examination finding that indicates autoimmune pathogenesis. The diagnosis of most autoimmune disorders is syndromic and is supported by careful examination, laboratory studies, and…
Movement disorders are impairments of movement not due to corticospinal tract dysfunction, although some movement disorders can be associated with corticospinal findings as a component (e.g., multiple system atrophy; MSA). Movement disorders may involve increased (hyperkinetic) or decreased (hypokinetic) movement.…
Introduction Speech and language are important to our human existence, and they affect our ability to communicate with other people. Speech involves the articulation of language sounds via the vocal apparatus. Language involves the manipulation of symbols in the production…
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Reflex Physiology Reflexes are used for examination purposes, but they demonstrate integral and sometimes complex functioning of the nervous system. Reflexes can be physiologic and pathologic. Physiologic reflexes use pathways that are normally functioning in a patient of the particular…
Localization of Coordination Control and Deficits Coordination is a prominent part of the examination. Whereas coordination is typically considered to be a test of cerebellar function, coordination deficits can be produced by a wide range of lesions. Coordination depends on…
As in every aspect of the neurologic examination, the mental status examination can help to localize a lesion in the nervous system. It can also provide crucial information about the extent and severity of the patient’s deficits. The most important…