Brain and Nerve Studies

The human body is a complex system. The brain and nerves work together in an elaborate system and are essential for controlling our bodies. But what if the brain and nerves aren’t working as they should? We present here the methods available for examining the brain and nerves.

Brain and nerves – our control center.

If you laid all the nerve fibers of the human body one behind the other, you could circle the earth ten times – and that doesn’t even take the brain into account. The brain has so many synapses that the number of possible connections is greater than the total number of atoms in the universe. And this despite the fact that the brain usually weighs less than six pieces of butter.

The brain is our control center: it processes, reacts and controls – our conscious and unconscious thoughts and actions, the automatic functioning of our organs. Its team consists of nerves and synapses: By means of complex circuitry, these carry out its commands and pass on what the boss dictates. As multifaceted as the tasks of the nervous system in the head and periphery are, as diverse can also express themselves disorders.

Anamnesis as the most important examination

The diagnostic possibilities for tracking down diseases are just as numerous. But here, as with all other disorders, the same applies: The most important tool is the anamnesis, that is, asking for the medical history. In this way, the physician can already pre-sort the complaints and exclude certain disease categories or preferentially pursue them further in the diagnostic process.

In addition to the current symptoms and their course, the following aspects are also important:

  • Previous diseases
  • Operations and accidents
  • Risk factors
  • Medication
  • Familial diseases
  • Social and professional environment

During the patient interview, the doctor can already get an overall impression and look for abnormalities in speech, behavior and movement, as well as abnormal postures.

The basic diagnostics

Physical examination is performed with the patient standing, sitting, and/or lying down, partially undressed. Externally visible signs of disease (inspection) include twitching, paralysis, or noticeable movements. The physician will obtain an overview with various examinations (“neurological screening”); further tests depend on the complaints and findings.

The various cranial nerves, gait and coordination, as well as muscle function and sensitivity, i.e., ability to perceive stimuli such as touch and vibration, are tested.

Internal examination

Because a number of organ diseases can also affect brain and nerve function, an orienting internal examination will also follow.

Depending on the suspected diagnosis, this may be followed by more detailed tests to assess psyche, language, perception, thinking, and memory; blood and urine tests (for example, in diabetes); examination of the nerve fluid (for example, if inflammation is suspected); and instrumental procedures.