In the article, we consider cortical atrophy of the 1-2 degree.
Injuries, hypoxia, age-related changes and other negative factors cause the development of atrophy of the soft tissues of the brain. Negative changes most often affect the elderly, but violations are noted in newborns.
Description
Cortical atrophy of the 1st degree is inherently tissue destruction of the cerebral cortex, due to age-related changes in the structure of the nervous tissue or with general pathological processes that occur in the human body. The frontal lobes of the brain are most often affected by pathology, but the retraction of other structural elements is not excluded.
The disease proceeds at a low speed for several years. At the same time, symptoms gradually increase, often leading to dementia. Most often, the process develops in elderly patients, after fifty years. But atrophic phenomena can also be congenital in nature, that is, appear due to a hereditary predisposition.
Pathology Examples
The most famous examples of such a disease as bipolar hemispherical cortical atrophy (affecting both hemispheres) are senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In this case, only pronounced types of atrophy lead to complete dementia. Small destructive foci in most cases do not affect mental abilities.
It is important to note that cortical atrophy of the 1st degree refers exclusively to the destruction of the nervous brain tissue after its normal formation. With an initially underdeveloped central nervous system, it is impossible to talk about cortical atrophy.
Causes of occurrence
Atrophic age-related processes of the brain develop due to the influence of a complex of causes. For example, senile dementia is formed due to the following factors:
- defects in the supply of blood to brain tissue due to a strong decrease in vascular capacity, i.e. atherosclerosis;
- decreased oxygen saturation of the blood, as a result of which ischemic chronic phenomena occur in the nervous tissue;
- activation of hereditary factors;
- decreased regenerative capabilities of the human body;
- a significant reduction in mental stress.
It is important to know that in addition to the above, the likelihood of developing brain atrophy in elderly patients is to some extent determined by the degree of development of their mind at a young age. It is proved that those who have a high level of intelligence and speak foreign languages, are engaged in active intellectual activity, are less likely to develop dementia in old age.
Congenital cerebral cortical atrophy of the 1st degree is, in essence, an organ hypoplasia, since this does not cause the initial correct formation, as a result of which pathology develops. But in most cases, this process is also called atrophic.
Provocative factors
Atrophic phenomena in some cases can develop at a young age. For example, factors of the occurrence of cortical atrophy of the brain of the 1st degree can be:
- Injuries, in particular, accompanied by the appearance of cerebral edema, and often blood vessels are constricted, ischemia of brain tissues and their atrophy occur.
- Cysts and tumors, also causing constriction of blood vessels; most often, a role in the occurrence of atrophy is played by neoplasms, which have a moderate negative impact for a long time; growing tumors do not have time to cause atrophy.
- Toxic effects (chronic alcoholism); alcohol metabolites destroy neurons in the human body; the affected nerve tissue does not recover with ongoing intoxication, due to which atrophy develops.
- In rare cases, the cause of the disease may be a neurosurgical operation, which is a medical history.
Symptoms of pathology
How is cortical cerebral atrophy of the 1st – 2nd degree manifested? The complex of symptoms that arise with cortical atrophy is directly determined by the degree of damage to the cerebral cortex or its deep structures, from the prevalence of the disease process. For example, moderate cortical atrophy, which in most cases is the cause of the patient’s first visit to a specialist, develops according to this algorithm:
- The initial stage of the disease (first degree) is characterized by an asymptomatic course. The presence of certain neurological signs at this time is most often due to the presence of another functional or organic pathology of the nervous system.
- The second degree is characterized by a marked decrease in the mental abilities of the patient, his analytical abilities. The level of critical thinking, as well as evaluating one's own actions, is declining. Habits, speech characteristics, handwriting may change.
- As the disease progresses (third and fourth degrees), there is a deterioration in the fine motor skills of the fingers, as well as coordination of movements. Memory impairment appears. The patient loses the skills of using everyday items, for example, a remote control from a TV and a toothbrush. Patients often lose their ability to make decisions and copy someone else’s behavior.
- The final stage of the disease is characterized by social maladaptation of the patient, inadequacy, as a result of which the person must be hospitalized in a neurological or psychiatric clinic. In patients with this, most often neurological symptoms themselves do not occur.
Grade 1 cortical atrophy can be difficult to detect.
Diagnostics
If there is atrophy or its varieties, its prevalence is established by X-ray layer-by-layer examination of the brain - magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. The evidence for this examination is the apparent clinical symptoms of the disease described above.
What is the prognosis for cortical atrophy of the brain of the 1st degree?
Treatment and features of the prognosis of the disease
It is important to know that age-related cortical atrophy of the 1st degree of the cerebral cortex cannot be completely cured. In this case, supportive treatment is required, which is aimed at slowing down the development of signs of the disease. Atrophies obtained at a young age can be corrected at the initial stage, provided that the etiological factor is eliminated.
The treatment of the disease with medication involves the use of the following types of medications:
- Drugs that improve brain metabolism and blood circulation (nootropic drugs). Especially vivid representatives of this pharmacological group: Cerebrolysin, Piracetam, Ceraxon, Cerepro. Their purpose significantly improves the mental abilities of a person.
- Antioxidants. They have a stimulating effect on recovery processes, reduce atrophy, help increase the intensity of material metabolism, and resist free oxygen radicals (Mexidol).
- Medications that improve blood microcirculation. Pentoxifylline (Trental) is especially often prescribed. The drug has a vasodilating effect, increases capillary clearance, improves gas exchange through the walls of blood vessels and blood microcirculation.
- In some cases, cortical atrophy needs symptomatic treatment. For headaches, it is recommended to take anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs.
In addition to the use of drugs, you need to monitor the mental and nervous state of the patient. Moderate physical activity, walks in the fresh air every day, as well as self-care procedures are desirable. If the patient has a neurasthenic condition, use mild sedative drugs.
The role of a positive attitude
Most experts agree that a calm atmosphere, the right attitude and participation in all everyday activities positively affect a person’s well-being. Relatives of the patient need to take care of the absence of violations of the daily regimen.
A positive attitude, an active life and the absence of stress are the best means that allow you to suspend the disease.
The following factors help prevent degenerative events:
- healthy lifestyle;
- healthy eating
- giving up bad habits;
- permanent mental activity;
- blood pressure control.
Treatment of cortical atrophy of the 1st degree should be timely.
Treatment with folk remedies
Through herbal preparations, the intensity of negative manifestations of cortical cerebral atrophy of the 1st degree can be reduced.
Good results will be obtained thanks to such recipes:
- herbal tea - motherwort, oregano, horsetail and nettle are taken in equal proportions, brewed with boiling water in a thermos; the broth should be infused at night and drunk three times a day;
- starfish and rye are brewed in a thermos; he is drunk in unlimited quantities after eating; in particular, such tea helps in the treatment of post-traumatic areas;
- rosehip, viburnum and barberry - the berries of these plants should be poured with boiling water and insisted for eight hours; you can drink like tea in any quantities; if necessary, it is allowed to add honey.