Central Nervous System

Spasticity

Spasticity is a muscle control disorder that is characterized by tight or stiff muscles and an inability to control those muscles. In addition, reflexes may persist for too long and may be too strong (hyperactive reflexes). Caused by an imbalance of signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, spasticity is often found in people with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

Stress

Stress is an emotional and physical response to threats from the outside world. Common stress reactions include muscular tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms, such as headaches and an accelerated heart rate. Stress releases powerful neurochemicals and hormones that prepare us for action (to fight or to flee). If no action is taken, the stress response can lead to health problems. Prolonged, uninterrupted, unexpected and unmanageable stresses are the most damaging types of stress.

West Syndrome

West syndrome, also known as infantile spasm, is a rare serious form of epilepsy in infants. The syndrome is age-related and generally occurs between the third and sixth month, though it is often caused by an organic brain dysfunction whose origins are prenatal, perinatal or postnatal. Scientific research estimates that prevalence is around one in 4,000 to one in 6,000 with boys more likely to be affected than girls. Unfortunately, up to 90 percent of affected children suffer severe physical and cognitive impairments which stay with them throughout their lives.