What is cerebral atrophy?

Cerebral atrophy refers to the progressive loss of brain cells over time. Atrophy refers to a
decreased size or wasting away of any part of the body. Cerebral atrophy can happen in either
the entire brain or in just one part of the brain and can lead to decreased brain mass and loss of
neurological function. The symptoms of cerebral atrophy depend on the cause and location of
cell death.
Cerebral atrophy can occur due to brain injury, as in the case of stroke, or to a neurological
disease, such as Alzheimers disease, cerebral palsy, or Huntingtons disease. Infections of the
brain can also lead to the death of brain cells and 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. Seizures can range from absence seizures (sudden loss of responsiveness) to
convulsive seizures. Depending on the underlying cause, cerebral atrophy may progress very
slowly or very rapidly. Cerebral atrophy is life threatening, and there is no known cure. Treatment
for cerebral atrophy focuses on treating the symptoms and complications of the disease. In cases
in which cerebral atrophy is due to an infection, treatment of the infection may stop the symptoms
of atrophy from worsening.
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms of cerebral atrophy, such as
seizures or loss of consciousness.
Seek prompt medical care for any symptoms of cerebral atrophy that interfere with daily life,
such as changes in responsiveness and difficulty with speaking, vision or movement.

What are the symptoms of cerebral atrophy?

Symptoms of cerebral atrophy can be generalized (affecting the whole brain) or localized
(affecting only one part of the brain or one function). Generalized symptoms include symptoms of
dementia, such as problems with memory or changes in personality. Localized symptoms include
seizures and problems with speech, vision or movement.

Generalized symptoms of cerebral atrophy

Generalized symptoms of cerebral atrophy arise from loss of brain cells throughout the brain. You
may experience cerebral atrophy symptoms daily or just once in a while. At times any of these
symptoms can be severe:

Changes in mood, personality or behavior

Difficulty with judgment or abstract thinking

Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading

Disorientation

Learning impairments

Localized symptoms of cerebral atrophy

If cerebral atrophy arises from loss of brain cells in a specific area of the brain, you may have
localized symptoms including:

Blurred or double vision

Difficulty producing or understanding speech (aphasia)

Impaired balance and coordination

Localized weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, cerebral atrophy can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call
911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

Being a danger to oneself or others, including behavior that is threatening, irrational or

suicidal

Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness

Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium,

lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

Seizure

Sudden change in vision, loss of vision, or eye pain

What causes cerebral atrophy?

Cerebral atrophy can arise from many diseases of the brain, injury to the brain, or infection of the
brain.

Injury causes of cerebral atrophy

Death of brain cells may occur as a result of injury to the brain including:

Stroke

Traumatic brain injury

Diseases that may cause cerebral atrophy

Cerebral atrophy may also occur due a variety of genetic or developmental disorders including:

Alzheimers disease

Cerebral palsy (group of disorders affecting movement, balance, and posture)

Dementia

Huntingtons disease (genetic disorder causing degeneration of nerve cells in the brain)

Leukodystrophysies (diseases damaging the protective material around nerve cells)

Multiple sclerosis (disease that affects the brain and spinal cord causing weakness,
coordination, balance difficulties, and other problems)

Picks disease (form of dementia that affects only certain areas of the brain)

Infectious causes of cerebral atrophy

Cerebral atrophy can also result from infection of the brain including:

AIDS

Encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain due to a viral infection or other
causes)

Syphilis (sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria)

What are the risk factors for cerebral atrophy?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing cerebral atrophy. Not all people with risk
factors will get cerebral atrophy. Risk factors for cerebral atrophy include:

Advanced age

Brain injury

Family history of Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease, or similar neurological

disorders

Family history of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis

Head injury

Reducing your risk of cerebral atrophy

While cerebral atrophy is not necessarily preventable, a healthy lifestyle may help slow the
progression of atrophy and reduce the severity of symptoms. Healthy lifestyle factors that may
reduce your chance of severe cerebral atrophy include:

Controlling blood pressure

Eating a healthy, balanced diet, including omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant fruits and
vegetables

Staying mentally, physically and socially active

How is cerebral atrophy treated?

There is no cure for cerebral atrophy. Once brain cells have been lost, the damage is permanent.
Treatment for cerebral atrophy focuses on treating the symptoms and complications of cerebral
atrophy.

Treatment for dementia and loss-of-function symptoms of cerebral atrophy

Treatments for dementia symptoms of cerebral atrophy include medications and nonmedication
therapies including:

Medications that change the amount of chemicals that control brain signaling or treat
symptoms of cognitive impairment, sometimes used in Alzheimers disease

Physical therapy to improve function and ability to perform daily activities

Psychological counseling and support

Treatment for other symptoms of cerebral atrophy

Other symptoms of cerebral atrophy may be treated medicinally or with therapy as well including:

Anticonvulsive medication to stop seizures

Cognitive or behavioral therapy to improve quality of life

Physical therapy to slow loss of muscle control

Speech therapy to decrease the impact of aphasia (impaired speech and

comprehension)

Treatment for the underlying infection or injury leading to cerebral atrophy

What you can do to improve your cerebral atrophy

The best way to improve symptoms of cerebral atrophy or slow the progression of cerebral
atrophy is to lead an active, healthy lifestyle including:

Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidant fruits and vegetables

Engaging in regular exercise

Increasing mental activity

Complementary treatments
Some complementary treatments may help some people in their efforts to deal with cerebral
atrophy. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in

conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to
substitute for full medical care.
Complementary treatments may include:

Acupuncture

Massage therapy

Nutritional dietary supplements, herbal remedies, tea beverages, and similar products

Yoga

What are the potential complications of cerebral atrophy?

Complications of untreated or poorly controlled cerebral atrophy can be serious, even life
threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following
the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you.
Complications of cerebral atrophy include:

Inability to participate normally in activities

Loss of independence
Withdrawal or depression

Medicsl References
NINDS cerebral atrophy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_atrophy/cerebral_atrophy.htm.

Alzheimer's disease. PubMed Health, a service of the NLM from the

NIH. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001767/.

Buchman AS, Boyle PA, Yu L, et al. Total daily physical activity and the risk of AD and cognitive decline in older
adults. Neurology 2012; 78:1323.