Chart — Neurology
Chronic Neurodegenerative Disease Comparison Chart
Six chronic neuro diagnoses that blur together until you anchor each to its signature — what degenerates, the hallmark sign, whether the mind is spared, and the single nursing priority that matters most.
Educational use only. Treatments are individualized and specialist-directed; this chart is a learning aid, not a regimen. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Disease by Disease
| Disease | Pathology | Hallmark | Cognition | Key treatment | Top nursing priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkinson's | Dopamine loss in the substantia nigra (basal ganglia) | TRAP — resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability | Intact early; dementia possible late | Carbidopa-levodopa, agonists | Falls and aspiration; on-time meds, never stop abruptly |
| Multiple sclerosis | CNS demyelination (relapsing-remitting) | Fatigue, optic neuritis, Lhermitte's, heat sensitivity | Variable; cognitive change possible | DMTs; steroids for relapses | Fatigue and heat management; rule out infection in flares |
| Myasthenia gravis | Antibodies block ACh receptors at the NMJ | DESCENDING fatigable weakness; ptosis/diplopia first | Intact | Pyridostigmine, immunosuppression, thymectomy | Airway (FVC/NIF); on-time meds; crisis recognition |
| Guillain-Barré | Autoimmune peripheral demyelination (post-infection) | ASCENDING symmetric paralysis + areflexia | Intact | IVIG or plasmapheresis | Airway + autonomic instability monitoring |
| ALS | Upper AND lower motor neuron degeneration | Progressive weakness, atrophy, fasciculations; bulbar late | Usually intact | Supportive/palliative; limited disease-modifying drugs | Airway/aspiration; communication; goals of care |
| Huntington's | Inherited (AD) basal-ganglia degeneration | Chorea + cognitive decline + psychiatric change | Progressive dementia | Symptomatic; supportive/palliative | Safety, nutrition/aspiration, behavioral support, genetic counseling |
Exam Traps
- ✦Parkinson's = TRAP and dopamine loss; MS = demyelination + heat sensitivity; the two most common chronic neuro diagnoses.
- ✦MG descends and fatigues; GBS ascends with areflexia — both threaten the airway (watch FVC/NIF).
- ✦ALS spares cognition while destroying motor neurons; Huntington's brings chorea WITH dementia and is autosomal dominant.
- ✦Airway is the priority in MG, GBS, and ALS; falls/aspiration in Parkinson's; fatigue/heat in MS; safety/behavior in Huntington's.
- ✦Parkinson's and MG both hinge on on-time medication; never stop Parkinson's drugs abruptly.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with American Heart Association / American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) · American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN). It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →