How to treat mild cerebral atrophy?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on November 21, 2024
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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 Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can cerebellar atrophy be treated?

There are various causes of cerebellar atrophy, and whether it can be treated depends crucially on the cause. If the atrophy is caused by genetic heart disease, there are no effective treatment options. For example, cerebellar ataxia due to spinal ataxia or multiple system atrophy typically worsens progressively, manifesting in significant coordination loss, unstable walking, and other clinical symptoms, with a lack of effective treatment options. However, cerebellar atrophy caused by long-term alcohol consumption can be treated. It is most important to quit drinking and then administer high doses of B vitamins, which can significantly improve symptoms. If cerebellar atrophy is caused by cerebellar ischemia, actively improving cerebral blood supply and taking antiplatelet aggregation drugs can also be effective. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Symptoms of cerebral atrophy

Mild cerebral atrophy may not present any clinical symptoms, and many elderly people show some degree of cerebral atrophy during imaging examinations, which should not be overly worrying. If the cerebral atrophy is more pronounced, it mainly manifests as cognitive dysfunction, such as a decline in memory, reduced computational abilities, diminished executive functions, and possibly the inability to perform complex movements, such as being unable to brush one's teeth or dress oneself. In severe cases, individuals may experience personality changes, becoming irritable, easily angered, suspicious, and may even exhibit psychiatric symptoms, primarily hallucinations.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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MRI manifestations of brain atrophy

Patients with cerebral atrophy display clear signs on cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The manifestations on MRI primarily include notably widened cerebral sulci, obvious atrophy of the cerebral lobes, and enlarged ventricles, which are typical presentations of cerebral atrophy. Cerebral atrophy can be categorized into atrophy of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, each showing different characteristics on MRI, which requires careful differentiation. There are many causes of cerebral atrophy, such as degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, which leads to cerebral atrophy. Cerebral thrombosis and poor cerebral vascular conditions can also cause cerebral atrophy due to insufficient blood supply to the brain. Additionally, drug toxicity and chronic alcoholism can lead to cerebral atrophy, which also needs to be differentiated carefully.

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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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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.