Health condition · plain-language reference

Degenerative Nerve Diseases

Also called: Neurodegenerative diseases

Degenerative nerve diseases affect many of your body's activities, such as balance, movement, talking, breathing, and heart function. Many of these diseases are genetic. Sometimes the cause is a medical condition such as alcoholism, a tumor, or a stroke. Other causes may include toxins, chemicals, and viruses. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Degenerative nerve diseases include: Alzheimer's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Friedreich ataxia Huntington's disease Lewy body disease Parkinson's disease Spinal muscular atrophy Degenerative nerve diseases can be serious or life-threatening. It depends on the type. Most of them have no cure. Treatments may help improve symptoms, relieve pain, and increase mobility.

Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM) ↗. For informational purposes only — not medical advice.