How to look at brain atrophy films

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Brain atrophy images, in fact, are simple to read, whether it's brain MRI or head CT scans. You'll notice that the brain sulci have become widened, giving the brain a less full appearance, similar to a walnut, a flattened walnut, not very plump, with widened brain sulci and fissures. The brain volume appears smaller, which is typical of brain atrophy images. The treatment for brain atrophy can involve using medications that nourish brain cells and improve cerebral circulation. In terms of dietary therapy, it's beneficial to consume more walnuts and foods that enhance kidney function regularly. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney governs the bones and generates marrow, and the brain is considered the sea of marrow; thus, these kidney-nourishing foods are believed to be effective in treating brain atrophy. Foods such as Chinese yam and goji berries can be added to soups or used to make porridge, offering benefits in treating brain atrophy.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Symptoms of baby brain atrophy

The symptoms of baby brain atrophy include the following: First, the child shows no interest in the surroundings, poor responsiveness, significantly reduced movements, poor sucking ability, and often chokes on milk. Second, the child with brain atrophy exhibits abnormal muscle tone and posture. Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include difficulty in abducting the thighs, difficulty in extending the knees, legs straightened and adducted when held upright, legs crossed in a scissor-like manner, bent elbow and wrist joints, and the hands often clenched with the thumb turned inward. Third, congenital reflexes are weakened or may not appear at all, such as the rooting reflex, grasp reflex, and embrace reflex, which are either weakened or completely absent. Fourth, there is limited voluntary movement; the baby cannot reach out voluntarily to grab liked objects after five months or always uses one hand to reach for things. Fifth, there are signs of intellectual disability, delayed language development, or language disorders.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to treat mild cerebral atrophy?

First, it is essential to eliminate psychological fear. Many people with mild cerebral atrophy show no clinical symptoms, so there is no need to be overly anxious. Second, it is important to control underlying diseases, especially maintaining control of blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and homocysteine levels. Abnormalities in these indicators can lead to cerebral ischemia, which in turn may exacerbate cerebral atrophy. Third, make an effort to continually learn new knowledge and master new skills to increase the brain's knowledge reserves and prevent the worsening of cerebral atrophy and the decline in intelligence. In addition, regularly exercising to improve cerebral blood circulation also has therapeutic effects.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can cerebellar atrophy be treated?

Cerebellar atrophy is a finding observed in imaging studies, often discovered during imaging exams without necessarily presenting corresponding clinical symptoms. The possibility of treating cerebellar atrophy depends primarily on its underlying cause. For instance, cerebellar atrophy caused by genetic disorders, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, which results from genetic mutations, lacks highly effective treatment options. The primary approach in such cases is symptomatic treatment, including administering medications that nourish the nerves. Generally, these diseases progressively worsen. Cerebellar atrophy can also be due to neurodegenerative diseases like multiple system atrophy, which are untreatable. However, cerebellar atrophy caused by long-term alcohol consumption may improve to some extent with abstinence and high doses of vitamin B complex. Additionally, cerebellar atrophy resulting from chronic significant ischemia can be alleviated by addressing the ischemic conditions.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Symptoms of cerebral atrophy

Mild cerebral atrophy may not present any clinical symptoms, and many elderly people show some degree of cerebral atrophy during imaging examinations, which should not be overly worrying. If the cerebral atrophy is more pronounced, it mainly manifests as cognitive dysfunction, such as a decline in memory, reduced computational abilities, diminished executive functions, and possibly the inability to perform complex movements, such as being unable to brush one's teeth or dress oneself. In severe cases, individuals may experience personality changes, becoming irritable, easily angered, suspicious, and may even exhibit psychiatric symptoms, primarily hallucinations.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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The difference between cerebral atrophy and cerebellar atrophy.

Whether it is cerebral atrophy or cerebellar atrophy, these are concepts in imaging. They are generally detected through cranial CT or MRI scans, resulting in such diagnoses in imaging reports. Generally, cerebral atrophy mainly refers to the atrophy of the cerebral cortex, which includes areas like the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, and parietal lobe. The cerebral cortex is closely related to cognitive functions, movement, sensation, and emotions of the limbs. Patients with cerebral atrophy typically show a decline in intelligence, slow reactions, and dysfunction of bladder and bowel control, etc. The cerebellum mainly coordinates the body's integrative movements and ensures the fluent execution of limb movements. Therefore, cerebellar atrophy primarily leads to symptoms of ataxia, like finger tremors and unsteady walking.