Does brain atrophy cause drowsiness?

Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
Updated on June 22, 2025
00:00
00:00

Brain atrophy is prone to causing drowsiness, indeed this is true. Because it can be caused by insufficient brain blood supply or cerebral infarction. In fact, brain atrophy is an imaging change, identified by CT or MRI scans, which indicate such atrophy. Clinically, it mainly affects dementia, poor memory, or some may exhibit psychological symptoms, and even poor sleep quality, as well as drowsiness. Drowsiness is caused by insufficient blood supply or poor excitability, so these are clear symptoms of brain atrophy. Symptomatic medications can be used, and if there are mental and psychological issues, it is advised to seek guidance from professional doctors and consult specialists.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
43sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 3sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
34sec home-news-image

Is brain atrophy cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy and cerebral atrophy are not the same disease, or even a similar category of issues. Cerebral atrophy generally affects adults and is due to vascular reasons or degenerative causes. Cerebral palsy is more common in children and involves factors from before birth, such as conditions during pregnancy, factors during the delivery process, and also factors after birth that cause permanent brain damage. It is a condition present from a young age, while cerebral atrophy is rare in children.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
40sec home-news-image

Is brain atrophy the same as cerebral palsy?

Brain atrophy is definitely not cerebral palsy. Brain atrophy is generally caused by various reasons in adults leading to a reduction in brain volume. This is often seen in cognitive impairments or memory decline in adults. Cerebral palsy, on the other hand, is generally caused by congenital diseases or perinatal reasons, leading to damage to the central nervous system. It is a disease characterized primarily by non-progressive motor disorders. Therefore, it manifests as spastic diplegia, hemiplegia, athetosis, and symptoms of the extrapyramidal system, mainly focusing on motor disorders.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 22sec home-news-image

Symptoms of baby brain atrophy

The symptoms of baby brain atrophy include the following: First, the child shows no interest in the surroundings, poor responsiveness, significantly reduced movements, poor sucking ability, and often chokes on milk. Second, the child with brain atrophy exhibits abnormal muscle tone and posture. Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include difficulty in abducting the thighs, difficulty in extending the knees, legs straightened and adducted when held upright, legs crossed in a scissor-like manner, bent elbow and wrist joints, and the hands often clenched with the thumb turned inward. Third, congenital reflexes are weakened or may not appear at all, such as the rooting reflex, grasp reflex, and embrace reflex, which are either weakened or completely absent. Fourth, there is limited voluntary movement; the baby cannot reach out voluntarily to grab liked objects after five months or always uses one hand to reach for things. Fifth, there are signs of intellectual disability, delayed language development, or language disorders.