Jakarta –
Cerebral atrophy is a condition that affects the brain. Cerebral atrophy is a condition where the brain loses neuron cells and the connection between brain cells and volume is often reduced. This loss can cause problems with thinking, memory, and performing daily activities. The more cells that are lost, the worse a person’s condition will be.
There are two types of brain atrophy, namely focal and generalized. Focal atrophy means the damage occurs in one area of the brain. While in general atrophy, the damage extends throughout the brain.
In fact, humans lose some brain cells as they age. Brain volume can also decrease, but in the medical world, the term brain atrophy describes a condition when a person experiences more changes in the brain than expected due to age. In this condition, damage occurs more quickly than the aging process in general.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing cerebral atrophy, including:
- Elderly
- Family history with genetic abnormalities
- Family history of neurological disorders
- Head or brain injury
- Heavy drinker
- Smoker
Symptoms of Cerebral Atrophy
Several diseases can cause cerebral atrophy, such as dementia, seizures, and a group of language disorders called aphasia.
1. Dementia
Dementia is characterized by progressive impairment of memory and intellectual functioning that is severe enough to impair social and occupational skills. Memory, orientation, abstraction, ability to learn, visual-spatial perception, and higher executive functions such as planning, organizing, and sequencing may also be impaired.
2. Seizures
Seizures can appear in different forms. This condition presents as disorientation, repetitive movements, loss of consciousness, or seizures.
3. Aphasia
Aphasia is a group of disorders characterized by impairments in speaking and understanding language. Receptive aphasia can cause comprehension disorders. While expressive aphasia is reflected in the odd choice of words, the use of partial phrases, disjointed clauses, and incomplete sentences.
Causes of Cerebral Atrophy
Cerebral atrophy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. This usually occurs before the child is born, but can also occur at birth or in early infancy.
In many cases, the cause of this condition is still unknown. Many factors can cause problems with brain development. Some of them:
- Gene mutations that cause genetic disorders
- Maternal infection affecting the developing fetus
- Fetal stroke
- Bleeding into the brain in the womb or at birth
- Baby infection
- Head injury in babies
- Lack of oxygen to the brain
Complications of Cerebral Atrophy
There are several complications of cerebral atrophy, such as muscle weakness, muscle spasticity, and problems with coordination during childhood or adulthood. In addition, several other complications can occur, such as
1. Contracture
Contractures are shortening of muscle tissue due to severe muscle tightening which can be caused by spasticity. This condition can inhibit bone growth, cause crooked bones, and result in joint deformities, dislocations, or partial dislocations. This can include dislocated hips, curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and other orthopedic deformities.
2. Malnutrition
Problems swallowing or eating can make it difficult for someone with cerebral atrophy, especially a baby, to get enough nutrition. This can interfere with growth and weaken bones.
3. Mental health conditions
Those with cerebral palsy can have mental health conditions, such as depression. Social isolation and the challenge of coping with this condition can also lead to depression.
4. Heart and lung disease
People with cerebral atrophy can have heart, lung, and respiratory problems.
5. Osteoarthritis
Pressure on joints or abnormal joint alignment due to muscle spasticity can cause painful degenerative bone disease.
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(Dinda Zahra/kna)
