Brain Diseases

There are many types of brain diseases, ranging from injuries and infections to brain tumors and dementia. They can impact your ability to function and carry out daily activities. Outcomes vary widely depending on the type of brain disease, location and severity of the condition.

What are the types of brain diseases?

There are many types, including hundreds, of rare brain diseases. The general categories of brain diseases include:

Autoimmune brain diseases

Autoimmune brain diseases occur when your body's defenses attack a part of your brain, mistaking it for an invader. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prominent of these. Like electrical wires, nerve cells have insulation covering them. Multiple sclerosis attacks this in your brain, spinal cord and the nerves going to your eyes. There are less common autoimmune brain diseases that mimic MS. There are others, like autoimmune encephalitis, which irritate your brain, causing confusion and involuntary movements.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a tendency to have seizures. A seizure is an electrical storm in your brain, typically interfering with consciousness and causing convulsions (uncontrolled movements). Some seizures can be subtle — only causing clouding of consciousness or uncontrolled movements of one part of your body.

Infections

Infections occur when various types of germs invade your brain or its protective coverings. Meningitis happens when your protective coverings are infected. It often causes headaches, confusion and a very stiff neck. Sometimes, it's necessary to do a spinal tap to find out which germ is causing an infection so the right antibiotics can be given.

Mental illness

Mental, behavioral and emotional disorders can diminish a person's quality of life and ability to function. Major types include:

1)    Anxiety.

2)    Bipolar disorder.

3)    Depression.

4)    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Schizophrenia.