Overview Conditions Neuropsychology is a medical specialty focusing on the effects that injury to or diseases of the brain and spinal cord have on emotions, behavior and learning. Physicians who specialize in neuropsychology evaluate patients who are experiencing emotional and neurocognitive (related to memory, thinking and attention) difficulties that might be the result of many different conditions affecting the brain.  Neuropsychologists focus on a patient's ability to function at work, school or in normal routine activities required to live independently.

Overview Treatments Neurotrauma includes life-threatening, traumatic injuries of the brain and the spinal cord. These complex injuries can result from car crashes, falls, industrial incidents and gunshot wounds. Treatment for neurotrauma injuries requires a high level of medical expertise and responsiveness. Inova Fairfax Hospital provides the highest level of skilled treatment required for neurotrauma around the clock, 365 days a year.

Inova Comprehensive Pain Centers Pain is difficult. We can help. Inova Comprehensive Pain Centers offer a comprehensive range of services for people living with acute or chronic pain. Through the combined expertise of a multidisciplinary team of pain and behavioral health specialists, we offer the most advanced treatment options currently available in a supportive, compassionate environment. Call for an appointment: 571-472-6880

Overview Treatments Parkinson's disease (or, simply, Parkinson's) is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders.

Overview The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It is made up of two major divisions: the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which consists of all of the body’s other nerves. Nerves may function abnormally for many reasons, including damage resulting from a contusion or traumatic injury to a nerve as well as various disorders.

Overview Treatments The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ in the brain that produces hormones that affect many other glands in the body. Although rare, most pituitary tumors are noncancerous. However, because of the location of the pituitary gland, at the base of the skull, many pituitary tumors will press against the optic nerves, causing vision problems. Cancerous pituitary tumors, or pituitary carcinomas, are rare and generally found in older persons. Pituitary carcinomas often make hormones, just as many benign pituitary tumors do.

Overview Conditions Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays to destroy tumor cells and stop them from growing and multiplying. Radiation therapy is a local therapy. This means that it affects only the cells targeted. It does not harm cells elsewhere in the body or even elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord. The therapy is administered in one of two ways: External radiation uses a high-energy beam of radiation targeted at the tumor. The beam travels through the skin, the skull, healthy brain tissue and other tissues to get at the tumor.

Overview Treatments A seizure is an episode of disturbed brain activity that can affect a variety of mental and physical functions. There are two major forms of seizures. Also see epilepsy. Generalized Seizures Generalized seizures seem to begin everywhere in the brain at once.

Overview Treatments The skull is composed of bones and cartilage that form the face and the cranium, which surrounds the brain. The skull base is a crowded and complicated area with openings that the spinal cord, many blood vessels, and nerves all pass through. There are several different types of skull base tumors: Cysts that develop from birth Growths caused by infections Pituitary tumors. The pituitary gland sits behind the nose and eyes Meningiomas.

Overview Treatments A spinal cord tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue usually categorized by the type of cell where it begins, or by the area in the spinal cord where it occurs. There are more than 120 types of tumors affecting the spinal cord and brain. Spinal cord tumors may be classified as either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), depending on their behavior. The tumor can either originate in the spinal cord itself (primary tumor), or come from another part of the body and travel to the spinal cord (metastatic or secondary tumor).