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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.
Symptoms of cerebral atrophy: Many diseases that cause cerebral atrophy are
associated with dementia, seizures, and a group of language disorders called the
aphasias.
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Treatment
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.
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.
Brain Diseases
Clinical Trials
Patient Organizations
Publications
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