ALS -- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) Aneurysm -- A balloonlike weak spot in an arterial wall Atherosclerosis -- A buildup of plaques in the walls of the arteries Atrophy -- Progressive muscle weakness and wasting Aura -- Early warning symptoms of a migraine Carotid arteries -- The two main blood vessels in the neck supplying the brain Central nervous system -- The brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord) Cerebral arteriography -- Injection of a contrast material into the blood vessels supplying the brain to highlight them during x-ray imaging CSF -- Cerebrospinal fluid Embolus -- A fragment of plaque, tissue, or blood clot EMG -- Electromyography, a neurological test Epilepsies -- Disorders producing recurrent seizures. Epilepsy occurs in approximately 1 to 2 percent of the population. Grand mal seizure -- Perhaps the best-known type of generalized seizure, characterized by sudden loss of consciousness followed by violent full-body convulsions lasting several minutes Intracerebral bleed -- When a ruptured artery causes bleeding into the brain Lumbar puncture -- Spinal tap Meningitis -- An inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain due to infection) Migraine -- A severe form of headache MRI -- Magnetic resonance imaging, a neurological test Muscle biopsy -- Removal of a small tissue sample for microscopic examination Partial (or focal) seizures -- Seizure that may trigger isolated, localized movements-such as chewing, lip smacking, or swallowing-or merely produce odd sensations, such as transient prickling or numbness Petit mal seizure -- A type of generalized seizure characterized by a blank look, staring, and loss of awareness, but not muscle convulsions Pill-roll tremor -- Rhythmic shaking of the hands Plasmapheresis -- A procedure that involves partial removal of blood plasma while the blood cells are returned to circulation | 
