What is cerebral cortical atrophy?
What is cerebral cortical atrophy?
Cerebral atrophy is the loss of brain cells, called neurons, and their electrochemical connectors, called synapses. This cell loss results in brain shrinkage and, depending on its source and extent, declines in cognitive ability. Cerebral atrophy occurs naturally in all humans.
Is cortical atrophy normal?
Some degree of atrophy and subsequent brain shrinkage is common with old age, even in people who are cognitively healthy. However, this atrophy is accelerated in people with mild cognitive impairment and even faster in those who ultimately progress from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the symptoms of cerebral atrophy?
Symptoms of cerebral atrophy include dementia, seizures, loss of motor control, and difficulty with speaking, comprehension or reading. Dementia, which is marked by memory loss and an inability to perform daily activities, may be mild or severe and may worsen with increasing atrophy.
How is cortical atrophy treated?
Treatment options to help manage symptoms of posterior cortical atrophy may include:
- Medications. Your doctor may give you medications to treat symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
- Physical, occupational or cognitive therapy.
Is cerebral atrophy a disability?
When the damage caused by cerebral atrophy becomes so debilitating that a person is unable to work, they may be able to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Is cerebral atrophy normal with aging?
The brain’s overall size begins to shrink when you’re in your 30s or 40s, and the rate of shrinkage increases once you reach age 60. Brain shrinkage doesn’t happen to all areas of the brain at once. Some areas shrink more and faster than others, and brain shrinkage is likely to get more severe as you get older.
Can cerebral atrophy reversed?
It’s not possible to reverse brain atrophy after it has occurred. However, preventing brain damage, especially by preventing a stroke, may reduce the amount of atrophy that you develop over time. Some researchers suggest that healthy lifestyle strategies could minimize the atrophy that’s normally associated with aging.
Does brain atrophy cause dementia?
Mild cases of brain atrophy may have little effect on daily functioning. However, brain atrophy can sometimes lead to symptoms such as seizures, aphasia, and dementia. Severe damage can be life threatening.
Is cortical atrophy a disability?
What are the symptoms of cortical atrophy?
Other symptoms can include difficulty performing mathematical calculations or spelling, and many people with posterior cortical atrophy experience anxiety, possibly because they know something is wrong. In the early stages of posterior cortical atrophy, most people do not have markedly reduced memory, but memory can be affected in later stages.
Is there a cure for cerebral atrophy?
Discussion of treatments for Cerebral Atrophy: Generally, treatment-which is symptomatic and supportive-depends upon the specific disorder of which cerebral atrophy is a component. In some cases, drug therapy may relieve some symptoms. Care that maintains and stimulates individuals with the disorder improves their quality of life.
What is the treatment for cortical atrophy of the brain?
Posterior cortical atrophy treatment involves prescription medication to slow down degeneration or help surviving brain cells function more effectively. Medical professionals often recommend that patients also supplement their medication with occupational therapy.
What causes mild cerebral atrophy?
In some instances, cerebral atrophy occurs due to sudden brain damage, such as a stroke, head trauma, a brain infection (encephalitis), or a brain tumor. These causes differ from degenerative neurological disease because they involve an episode rather than a progression of damage.
