What should I do about brain atrophy?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Brain atrophy includes both physiological and pathological types. Physiological brain atrophy generally occurs as age increases, similar to how wrinkles appear on the face. This type does not usually present symptoms and typically does not require treatment, as some degree of brain shrinkage may happen with age. Pathological brain atrophy, however, can occur in younger individuals and requires investigation to determine the underlying cause. Diagnostic tests should be conducted to clarify the cause of the atrophy and identify any specific diseases, which will guide the treatment plan. Additionally, some patients may experience atrophy due to past events like cerebral hemorrhage or stroke, which are caused by specific lesions. In such cases, treating the original disease is the approach taken, so the treatment plan for brain atrophy should be based on the specific circumstances.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can cerebral atrophy be cured?

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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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 Zhang Hui
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Does cerebellar atrophy cause dizziness?

Patients with cerebellar atrophy may experience dizziness. In clinical practice, multiple system atrophy that leads to cerebellar degeneration and spinal cerebellar ataxia often present with symptoms of dizziness. Generally, dizziness is very common when there is a lesion in the cerebellum. However, some patients may show significant cerebellar atrophy on imaging but actually do not exhibit symptoms of dizziness. Therefore, the condition can vary from person to person. There are many causes of cerebellar atrophy, including some cerebrovascular diseases that can lead to cerebellar atrophy, with symptoms such as dizziness and ataxia. The key to treating cerebellar atrophy is to properly identify and address the underlying cause.

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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
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The reason why people with cerebral atrophy curse

This situation primarily arises from brain atrophy causing Alzheimer's disease, which is a very common neurodegenerative disorder. In the middle and late stages, patients may exhibit significant personality changes, becoming irritable, easily angered, and paranoid, often engaging in behaviors such as hitting or cursing others. They may also experience hallucinations, such as vivid visual and auditory hallucinations. The disease is mainly due to the degeneration and death of neurons in the temporal lobe and hippocampus, leading to the atrophy of the cerebral cortex. This causes the release of some of the patient's primitive instincts, leading to a series of clinical manifestations, which can be symptomatically managed.