Brain atrophy refers to the progressive loss of brain mass and neuronal connections in the brain. Causes can include a number of diseases. Affected individuals suffer limitations in their mental and/or motor abilities.
What is brain atrophy?
Brain atrophy, or brain shrinkage, is a common side effect of several neuronal diseases. Both the entire brain and individual parts may be affected by the decline of cells. The effects that result from the disorder depend greatly on which parts of the brain are affected. Common symptoms include dementia, seizures, loss of motor skills, difficulty speaking, reading or general comprehension. Dementia is characterized by memory loss and the inability to perform everyday tasks. The intensity can vary and increase as the disease progresses.
Causes
The causes of brain atrophy are various diseases, accidents, or infections of the brain. For example, atrophy may begin after a stroke or severe brain trauma triggered by a traffic accident, for example. A variety of genetic or developmental disorders can also cause brain atrophy. These include, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy (group of neural disorders affecting movement, balance and posture), dementia, chorea disease (genetic degenerative brain disease), leukodystrophy (genetic metabolic disease), multiple sclerosis, Piksche’s disease (neurodegenerative disease of aging). AIDS, meningitis and syphilis can also lead to brain atrophy. Risk factors include brain injury, advanced age, family history of neuronal or autoimmune disease, and head injury.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Brain atrophy can cause a variety of symptoms and complaints, depending on its cause. Generally, atrophy causes seizures, hallucinations, and other disorders of consciousness. Accompanying these symptoms can be speech disorders known as aphasias. These aphasias increase in intensity as the disease progresses and are manifested, for example, by the swallowing of words or severely slurred pronunciation. Sensory aphasia is noticeable in that the affected person is no longer able to recognize objects and people. Most patients also experience epileptic seizures. The affected person then repeatedly suffers severe convulsions, loses consciousness or performs unusual movements. Persistent disorientation is also typical. A possible long-term consequence of brain atrophy is dementia. Patients lose the ability to learn and understand over time, and complex actions such as organizing and planning are no longer possible. As brain atrophy progresses, cognitive performance continues to decline. This often results in psychological symptoms such as mood swings or depression. Delusional thoughts and permanent changes in personality are also part of the clinical picture of brain atrophy. In severe cases, the disease is fatal.
Diagnosis and course
Affected individuals are not infrequently noticed by a change in their behavior or personality, are disoriented, and have difficulty grasping thoughts. Dizziness or blurred vision may also be initial symptoms. Intervention should be made at the latest when there is a partial loss of consciousness or a threat to the well-being of oneself or others. When the listed symptoms appear, especially in connection with the mentioned diseases, there are a number of diagnostic procedures with which brain atrophy can be detected. These include computed tomography, in which a large number of detailed photographs of the brain are taken from different angles; Magnetic resonance imaging, also called magnetic resonance imaging, here cross-sectional images of the tissue are produced for analysis; Positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography, which follows a similar procedure.
Complications
Brain atrophy results in a dramatic reduction in brain mass. In most cases, this reduction leads to severe limitations in the patient’s physical and mental abilities. This reduction is further irreversible and cannot be reversed, so the affected person usually has to suffer from the symptoms of brain atrophy for the rest of his or her life.This results in paralysis of various parts of the body and symptoms of failure. Furthermore, speech disorders or memory disorders occur and clear thinking and acting is no longer possible for the patient in most cases. The number of brain cells decreases drastically, resulting in a reduction of intelligence and thus retardation. It is not uncommon for psychological complaints and personality disorders to develop. Most patients also suffer from mood swings. Brain atrophy also leads to dizziness and blurred vision, with no improvement from visual aids. Treatment of cerebral atrophy is not possible. Its course can be limited, but it is not possible to reverse the symptoms. In most cases, the patient is then dependent on the help of other people in everyday life.
When should one go to the doctor?
People who suffer from seizures should consult a doctor to determine the cause. If hallucinations, confusion or false sensory perceptions occur, a doctor should be consulted. A medical examination is necessary as soon as behavioral abnormalities and changes in personality become apparent. If the affected person shows a depressed mood or is aggressive, the observations should be discussed with a physician. If there is severe euphoria or a whiny mood for no reason, there is cause for concern. A visit to the doctor is necessary to determine the cause. Abnormalities in memory activity, gaps in memory, memory problems or obviously false memories should be examined more closely. In case of orientation disorders or an inability to cope with everyday life, the affected person needs medical help. If performance is reduced or learned social skills cannot be applied, a visit to the doctor should be made. If there is a loss of the ability to speak, apathetic behavior or a feeling of alienation, a doctor should be consulted. Since brain atrophy can develop into a fatal course in severe cases, a visit to the doctor should be initiated as early as possible if the affected person exhibits unusual behavior. Unaccountable withdrawal behavior or sudden exuberant behavior indicate a disease that will continue to progress without treatment. Seek medical attention for unexplained motor problems, gait unsteadiness, or seizures.
Treatment and therapy
To date, there is no cure for brain atrophy. The loss of brain cells is irreversible. Only the many symptoms of the disease can be treated. The common dementia can be treated with drugs that alter the chemical structure of neuronal processes and mitigate the consequences. Recent studies have shown initial success with high-dose clinical administration of vitamin B complexes. Physical therapy improves physical ability to perform daily tasks. Psychological counseling may be additionally considered. Basic therapy to stop the progression of brain atrophy is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes a healthy and balanced diet with rich vegetables and fruits, regular physical exercise and mental activities such as reading, chess or memory sports. Proper nutrition has a high priority here. Surveys have shown that people who eat fish at least once a week have a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have a prophylactic effect. Folic acid, which is found for example in spinach, many types of cabbage, as well as tomatoes, asparagus, whole rye grains, yeast, wheat germ, liver and egg yolks, is also a health factor. Lecithin, present in corn, soy, seeds and legumes is said to have positive effects on memory performance. Alternative therapies can also help sufferers cope with their condition and improve their physical and mental well-being. Procedures such as acupuncture, massage or yoga should be mentioned here.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of brain atrophy is unfavorable, as this disorder involves irreparable damage to brain tissue. Despite numerous therapeutic approaches, dysfunction that has occurred cannot be completely corrected. At best, the further course of the present disease can be positively influenced. This depends on the existing underlying disease as well as the age of the patient.In addition, the detailed outlook of the further course must be assessed individually after the overall diagnosis is available. In severe cases, the patient suffers from a disease in which the state of health deteriorates immensely within a short period of time. In addition, the patient is threatened with premature death due to the damage as well as the consequential damage. In the case of a comparatively less severe underlying disease such as multiple sclerosis, the progress of the disease can be slowed down thanks to the modern medical possibilities with extensive, early and good treatment. In addition, there are various possibilities to treat the further symptoms of the disease quickly and well. This has a positive impact on the general state of health, as it significantly improves the patient’s overall quality of life. In the case of brain atrophy, doctors try to prolong the life of the affected person through the appropriate treatment methods and at the same time stabilize the well-being according to the best possibilities. A cure or recovery is not possible according to current scientific knowledge.
Prevention
There is no panacea against a genetic disposition to diseases that occur in the context of brain atrophy. However, a healthy lifestyle prevents diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and this is where treatment and prophylaxis overlap. Regular exercise, an active daily routine and mental fitness are the be-all and end-all. High blood pressure should be treated at an early stage, as should obesity. These factors can become breeding grounds for brain atrophy in old age, as they bring on conducive diseases.
Follow-up
In the case of cerebral atrophy, there are usually very few or even no measures and direct options for aftercare available to the affected person. Therefore, the primary focus in this disease is early detection and treatment of this disease to prevent further complications and symptoms from continuing to worsen. Self-healing cannot occur in case of cerebral atrophy. The treatment of brain atrophy is mostly done by taking medications. In any case, it is necessary to pay attention to the correct dosage and regular intake. All the doctor’s instructions must also be followed. In case of any uncertainties or questions, a doctor should always be consulted first. Often, care and support from one’s own family or friends also has a positive effect on the course of this disease. Psychological counseling can also be useful. In many cases, a change in diet is necessary, and a doctor can also draw up a diet plan. In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet always has a positive effect on the further course of the disease. Possibly, the brain atrophy also reduces the life expectancy of the affected person.
This is what you can do yourself
Depending on the causative disease, the medical therapy of brain atrophy can be supported by various self-help measures. If the symptoms are based on a stroke, treatment focuses on restoring neurological and mental abilities. This can be supported, for example, by movement exercises, mental games and, in general, by an active lifestyle that is physically and mentally challenging. Also as a result of traumatic brain injury, the affected person must slowly find his way back into life through exercises and the support of relatives. If brain atrophy occurs as a result of multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, these conditions must be treated first. The brain atrophy itself can at least be slowed down by therapy of the underlying disease. However, drug therapy is necessary in any case. If the brain atrophy is due to alcohol and drug abuse, withdrawal must be carried out immediately. This must be accompanied by physiotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic measures. Damage already caused by brain atrophy cannot be completely repaired, but appropriate changes in lifestyle will enable those affected to lead a relatively symptom-free life. Close monitoring by the physician is always necessary when brain atrophy is diagnosed.
