4/2/22, 2:36 PM Cerebral Atrophy Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Cerebral Atrophy Information Page

Cerebral Atrophy Information Page

Definition

Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many of the diseases that affect the brain.
Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of
neurons and the connections between them. Atrophy can be generalized, which means
that all of the brain has shrunk; or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the
brain and resulting in a decrease of the functions that area of the brain controls. If
the cerebral hemispheres (the two lobes of the brain that form the cerebrum) are
affected, conscious thought and voluntary processes may be impaired.

Associated Diseases/Disorders:  The pattern and rate of progression of cerebral

atrophy depends on the disease involved. Diseases that cause cerebral atrophy
include:

stroke and traumatic brain injury

Alzheimer’s disease, Pick’s disease, and fronto-temporal dementia
cerebral palsy, in which lesions (damaged areas) may impair motor coordination
Huntington’s disease,  and other hereditary diseases that are associated with
genetic mutations
leukodystrophies, such as Krabbe disease, which destroy the myelin sheath that
protects axons
mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome, which
interfere with the basic functions of neurons
multiple sclerosis, which causes inflammation, myelin damage, and lesions in
cerebral tissue
infectious diseases, such as encephalitis, neurosyphilis, and AIDS, in which an
infectious agent or the inflammatory reaction to it destroys neurons and their
axons

Symptoms of cerebral atrophy:  Many diseases that cause cerebral atrophy are
associated with dementia, seizures, and a group of language disorders called the
aphasias.

  Dementia  is characterized by a progressive impairment of memory and

intellectual function that is severe enough to interfere with social and work skills.
Memory, orientation, abstraction, ability to learn, visual-spatial perception, and
higher executive functions such as planning, organizing, and sequencing may also
be impaired.
Seizures  can take different forms, appearing as disorientation, repetitive
movements, loss of consciousness, or convulsions.
Aphasias  are a group of disorders characterized by disturbances in speaking and
understanding language. Receptive aphasia causes impaired comprehension.
Expressive aphasia is reflected in odd choices of words, the use of partial
phrases, disjointed clauses, and incomplete sentences.

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Atrophy-Information-Page 1/3
4/2/22, 2:36 PM Cerebral Atrophy Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Treatment

There is no specific treatment or cure for cerebral atrophy.  Some symptoms of

underlying causes can be managed and treated.  Controlling blood pressure and eating
a healthy, balanced diet is advised.  Some research suggests that physical exercise may
slow the speed of atrophy. People should also stay active mentally and socially.

Prognosis

Cerebral atrophy can affect a person's lifespan.  Some illnesses and diseases that cause
cerebral atrophy are progressive, meaning the damage continues to worsen. Some
individuals may eventually need supervised care either at home or in a nursing
home.  Disorders such as stroke can affect a person's quality of life and lifespan. 

What research is being done?

The NINDS funds research looking at many of the diseases and disorders that cause
cerebral atrophy. Understanding the biological mechanisms that cause neurons to die
in the brain will help researchers find ways to prevent, treat, and even cure the
diseases that lead to cerebral atrophy.

Information from the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Brain Diseases

Clinical Trials

Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

NINDS Clinical Trials

Patient Organizations

No organizations listed at this time

Publications

Order NINDS Publications

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Atrophy-Information-Page 2/3
4/2/22, 2:36 PM Cerebral Atrophy Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Patient Organizations
No organizations listed at this time

Was this page helpful?

Yes

No

Next
Form Approved OMB# 0925-0648 Exp. Date 06/2024

Date last modified: Wed, 2019-03-27 16:20

CONTACT US

Contact NINDS

Visitor Information
MORE INFORMATION

Archive

Site Map

En Español

National Institutes of Health

Department of Health & Human Services

Download Adobe Plug-In

POLICIES

Accessibility

Freedom of Information Act

Privacy Statement

USA.gov

Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

FOLLOW

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Blog

RSS Feed

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Atrophy-Information-Page 3/3