Genetics and Neurology

Book excerpt: Genetics and Neurology focuses on disorders that affect the nervous system, including atrophies, neuropathies, and tumors. The book first examines malformations of the central nervous system, phacomatoses and tumors, and cerebral degenerative disorders of childhood. Topics include malformations of the corpus callosum and neighboring structures; abnormalities of closure of neural tube; spongiform leucodystrophy; and tumors of the nervous system. The text then takes a look at extrapyramidal disorders and dyskinesias and muscle disorders. The publication elaborates on spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs), cerebellar and spinocerebellar ataxias, and hereditary neuropathies. Discussions focus on hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies of infancy and early childhood; peripheral neuropathies and lipid disorders; and congenital cerebellar ataxias. The book also discusses spastic paraplegias and multifactorial inheritance and neurological diseases. The text is a valuable reference for readers interested in genetics and neurology.