Hippocampal sclerosis is a progressive degenerative disease which leads to loss of neurons in the brain's Hippocampus (which is involved with short and long term memory, and navigation skills etc.) It was first described in the 1880s. Its diagnosis is often missed, as the symptoms in the early stages (dementia etc.) are very similar to Parkinson's diseaseplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigParkinson's disease

Also known as Parkinson disease, Parkinson's, idiopathic Parkinsonism, primary Parkinsonism, PD, or paralysis agitans - is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting from the death of dopamine-containing cells in the.

It is estimated to affect around 10% of those over 85 years old.

Causes are unknown, although it's associated with aging, and appears to have links with vascular disorders and (low) socioeconomic status.

See : Archives of Neurology, 2002;59(7):1099-1106