Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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The causes of cerebellar atrophy are quite diverse: First, some genetic diseases can lead to significant cerebellar atrophy, such as hereditary cerebellar ataxia, where patients experience obvious cerebellar atrophy. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Second, chronic alcohol poisoning from long-term drinking can lead to alcohol intoxication, which particularly damages cerebellar cells and causes cerebellar atrophy. Third, there are also some vascular diseases, such as cerebellar thrombosis. Recurrent cerebellar thrombosis can cause cerebellar atrophy. Fourth, other conditions like cerebellar inflammation and cerebellar tumors can also cause significant cerebellar atrophy. Fifth, some neurodegenerative diseases can also damage the cerebellum, such as multiple system atrophy with olivopontocerebellar atrophy, which also leads to cerebellar atrophy and manifests as ataxia.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What are the symptoms of cerebellar atrophy?

Patients with cerebellar atrophy usually exhibit the following symptoms: First, these patients generally experience significant dizziness, with some displaying vertigo, a symptom that requires clinical attention. Second, these patients typically exhibit unstable walking as a clinical symptom, and even standing can be very difficult. Third, these patients will experience limb ataxia. For example, when they try to touch their nose with their finger, they miss. Their hands also shake when trying to hold objects. Fourth, individuals with brain atrophy may also exhibit unclear speech, with symptoms such as explosive sounds when speaking. Additionally, the cause of cerebellar atrophy may vary, which can lead to other symptoms. For instance, cerebellar atrophy caused by multisystem atrophy may also present Parkinson-like symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is brain atrophy hereditary?

There are many causes of brain atrophy; whether it is hereditary depends on the specific disease causing it. Most diseases leading to brain atrophy are not hereditary. For instance, some patients suffer brain atrophy due to Alzheimer's disease, where the neurons die irreversibly. This disease is mostly sporadic and does not have a clear hereditary tendency. Of course, a few cases of Alzheimer's do have a family history and may have a genetic propensity. Additionally, brain atrophy can also occur due to intoxication, such as from alcohol, carbon monoxide, or other toxic substances, and these cases definitely are not hereditary. Some patients experience brain atrophy due to cerebral thrombosis, which also lacks a genetic predisposition.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy

The causes of cerebellar atrophy are quite diverse: First, some genetic diseases can lead to significant cerebellar atrophy, such as hereditary cerebellar ataxia, where patients experience obvious cerebellar atrophy. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Second, chronic alcohol poisoning from long-term drinking can lead to alcohol intoxication, which particularly damages cerebellar cells and causes cerebellar atrophy. Third, there are also some vascular diseases, such as cerebellar thrombosis. Recurrent cerebellar thrombosis can cause cerebellar atrophy. Fourth, other conditions like cerebellar inflammation and cerebellar tumors can also cause significant cerebellar atrophy. Fifth, some neurodegenerative diseases can also damage the cerebellum, such as multiple system atrophy with olivopontocerebellar atrophy, which also leads to cerebellar atrophy and manifests as ataxia.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
56sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of cerebral atrophy?

Some patients with brain atrophy may not exhibit any specific clinical symptoms and are only found to have brain atrophy through imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Some patients do exhibit clinical symptoms, and the common symptoms of brain atrophy mainly include the following manifestations. First, patients may experience a decline in memory function, such as frequently forgetting things they have just done, forgetting where they placed their wallet, or forgetting to bring keys when going out. Second, there may also be a decline in executive functions, such as difficulties in dressing or brushing teeth by oneself. Third, there may be a decline in computational abilities, to the extent that the patient cannot perform simple arithmetic. Additionally, brain atrophy may also present some psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations and incoherent speech.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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How to look at brain atrophy films

Brain atrophy images, in fact, are simple to read, whether it's brain MRI or head CT scans. You'll notice that the brain sulci have become widened, giving the brain a less full appearance, similar to a walnut, a flattened walnut, not very plump, with widened brain sulci and fissures. The brain volume appears smaller, which is typical of brain atrophy images. The treatment for brain atrophy can involve using medications that nourish brain cells and improve cerebral circulation. In terms of dietary therapy, it's beneficial to consume more walnuts and foods that enhance kidney function regularly. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney governs the bones and generates marrow, and the brain is considered the sea of marrow; thus, these kidney-nourishing foods are believed to be effective in treating brain atrophy. Foods such as Chinese yam and goji berries can be added to soups or used to make porridge, offering benefits in treating brain atrophy.