Is there any cure for brain atrophy?

Brain atrophy means that the brain cells become fewer or smaller. There are many reasons. However, because our brain cell regeneration ability is very poor, a basically atrophied brain cannot return to a normal brain!

Brain atrophy can manifest as local atrophy or global brain atrophy.

For example, in the sequelae stage of our stroke, local brain atrophy often occurs at the site of ischemia and bleeding.

In addition, different brain degenerations will also cause brain atrophy, but the atrophy is in different parts.

The causes of brain atrophy are as follows:

1. Normal aging. Brain atrophy can appear in normal old people, just like we have wrinkles, it is a manifestation of aging. , but it basically does not affect normal thinking and life;

2. Local brain atrophy caused by stroke, brain trauma, encephalitis, etc.;

3. Long-term chronic ischemia, such as Intracranial arteriopathy or severe stenosis of large arteries, long-term insufficient blood supply to the brain;

4. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to brain atrophy;

5. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause subacute Combined degeneration and failure to supplement vitamin B12 in time will cause irreversible brain atrophy;

6. Various neurological degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease Kinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, spinocerebellar degeneration, etc., can all cause brain atrophy.

The symptoms of brain atrophy are related to the affected brain area. Hemiplegia, aphasia, dementia, Parkinson's disease, ataxia, etc. can occur.

Brain atrophy is generally diagnosed through brain imaging, but it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the atrophy is physiological (senile) or pathological (caused by various reasons and has symptoms) based on imaging alone. ).

Some elderly people appear to have severe brain atrophy on head CT or MRI, but in fact, their cognitive functions are still very good. Some elderly people have obvious dementia, but their brains may look fine, but the two are not equal.

Let’s talk about how to prevent and delay the progression of brain atrophy!

1. Protect the brain, avoid trauma, control stroke risk factors, and reduce stroke;

2. Eat healthily and avoid greasy food and partial eclipse (see my Q&A: Cerebral Infarction for details What foods are good to eat? Introducing foods that are good for brain health)

3. Regular exercise and physical fitness are also good for the brain;

4. Quit smoking and drinking, smoking and Alcohol is harmful to the brain, especially heavy drinking, which can lead to liver disease and dementia in the later stages;

5. Play more puzzle games, and the more you use your brain, the better it will be.