Can cerebral atrophy be cured?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Brain cells are irreversible, and once they die, they cannot regenerate. If brain atrophy occurs, it means that some brain cells have necrosed, and complete recovery is impossible. However, some patients with brain atrophy have no clinical symptoms because the brain's compensatory function is relatively strong. The usual causes of brain atrophy include the following. Firstly, Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common cause of dementia. Patients exhibit cortical brain atrophy, especially in areas such as the temporal lobes, frontal lobes, and hippocampus. Treatment is primarily symptomatic, and curing the disease is very difficult. Another cause is cerebrovascular disease. Long-term cerebral ischemia and arterial stenosis can also lead to brain atrophy. It is crucial to actively improve circulation and use anti-atherosclerosis medications for treatment. Additionally, some toxic encephalopathies, leukoencephalopathies, and drug toxicities can also cause brain atrophy. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is cerebellar atrophy hereditary?

Whether cerebellar atrophy is hereditary depends on the cause of the atrophy. In neurology, there is a disease called spinocerebellar ataxia, which is caused by genetic mutations and results in significant ataxic symptoms. The imaging studies show cerebellar atrophy. This disease can be inherited, so it is important to conduct prenatal counseling to promote eugenics. Cerebellar atrophy caused by other reasons is not hereditary. For example, if the atrophy is due to neurodegenerative disease such as multiple system atrophy, there is no clear genetic tendency. If the atrophy is caused by a cerebellar infarction, it is also not hereditary.

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Written by Bian Jun Li
Neurology
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Cerebellar atrophy symptoms

The main functions of the cerebellum include maintaining bodily balance, controlling posture and gait, regulating muscle tone, and coordinating the accuracy of voluntary movements. Therefore, the primary symptoms of cerebellar atrophy involve ataxia, with patients displaying instability in standing, a staggering gait similar to that of a drunken walk; speech may manifest as cerebellar speech, or a chanting-like pattern; there can also be disorders in fine motor skills, where some precise movements cannot be accurately performed, and coarse movements may sometimes not be severely affected; additionally, there can be disturbances in eye movement, presenting as tremors of both eyes, and patients may experience symptoms of vertigo clinically.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Does brain atrophy cause dizziness?

If it is brain atrophy, generally it does not cause dizziness; patients with mild conditions may not show any clinical symptoms. If it is severe, the main symptoms are those of dementia, such as possible sluggish reactions, memory decline, reduced computational abilities, impaired executive functions, and even psychiatric symptoms. The most common disease clinically observed is Alzheimer's disease. If the patient has cerebellar atrophy, even mild cases might not exhibit any symptoms. Severe cases can experience dizziness, primarily manifesting as feeling drunk, accompanied by unsteady walking, unstable standing, and other signs of ataxia.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to treat mild cerebral atrophy?

First, it is essential to eliminate psychological fear. Many people with mild cerebral atrophy show no clinical symptoms, so there is no need to be overly anxious. Second, it is important to control underlying diseases, especially maintaining control of blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and homocysteine levels. Abnormalities in these indicators can lead to cerebral ischemia, which in turn may exacerbate cerebral atrophy. Third, make an effort to continually learn new knowledge and master new skills to increase the brain's knowledge reserves and prevent the worsening of cerebral atrophy and the decline in intelligence. In addition, regularly exercising to improve cerebral blood circulation also has therapeutic effects.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is cerebral atrophy easy to treat?

Brain atrophy, a condition commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly patients, leads to a decline in memory, resulting in symptoms such as forgetfulness, insomnia, and poor mental health. Mild brain atrophy can gradually improve through the use of drugs that nourish brain cells and regular functional exercise. It is advisable to regularly choose drugs that nourish brain cells, eat foods like walnuts, sunflower seeds, and avocados, and engage in intellectual exercises, such as playing chess or playing games that develop intelligence, all of which are effective in treating brain atrophy.