Long term neurological conditions
These carry a significant burden to the individual, their families and carers, the NHS, and to society as a whole.
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, and epilepsy, result from damage to the brain, spinal column or peripheral nerves. Some neurological conditions are life threatening, with many severely affecting an individual’s quality of life.
There are over 600 types of neurological conditions, which are broadly categorised into:
- Sudden onset conditions (e.g. acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury)
- Intermittent and unpredictable conditions (e.g. epilepsy, ME, certain types of headache, or the early stages of multiple sclerosis)
- Progressive conditions (e.g. motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease, or later stages of multiple sclerosis)
- Stable neurological conditions (e.g. post-polio syndrome, or cerebral palsy in adults)
