| Atrophy
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Etiology
• Cerebral atrophy, that is, widening of the sulci and
narrowing of the gyri, can be seen after many types of
damage to the brain such as chronic HIV infection,
ischemic infarcts, and old trauma.
• It can also be seen
with aging, degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's
disease and multiple sclerosis and chronic disease.
• Dilatation of the ventricles accompany the gyral changes.
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Pathogenesis
• The pathogenesis of atrophy is loss of neurons and
astrocytosis in the cortex and other structures along
with other signs of aging or ongoing disease.,
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Epidemiology
• Cerebral atrophy is common in aging as with chronic
diseases.
• Almost everyone will develop it as they go
through life.
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General Gross Description
• In cerebral atrophy there is widening of the sulci and
narrowing of the gyri as well as enlargement of the
lateral ventricles.
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General Microscopic Description
• Microscopic finding will be loss of neurons and
astrocytosis as well as findings of the accompanying
disease such as senile plagues and neurofibrillary
tangles in Alzheimer's disease or white matter plaques
in multiple sclerosis.
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Clinical Correlation
• Cerebral atrophy of mild to moderate degree may have no
clinical signs although severe atrophy is usually seen
in patients with dementia.
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References
• Poirer J et.al. Manual of basic neuropathology. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1990, pp.11.
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| Atrophy
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| Synopsis by: M.L. Grunnet M.D. (TX2000M58000)[364]
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