Static Encephalopathy
Static encephalopathy is a type of encephalopathy (a brain disorder) that is chronic but non-progressive in nature.
In other words, it is a type of brain dysfunctioning that is relatively constant and does not change over a period of time.
Static Encephalopathy significantly affects the motor functions and mechanisms that impact postures. Mental alterations caused due to static encephalopathy might result in a number of issues related to cognitive development. Static encephalopathy could be prevented by early treatment with focus on the primary causes that triggered the condition.
Static Encephalopathy Symptoms
The following are the symptoms of static encephalopathy:
1. Loss of memory and deterred consciousness.
2. Speech impairment and change in personality.
3. Depression, anxiety and decline in activity.
4. Apart from the cognitive symptoms, other symptoms that might be caused due to a more complex encephalopathy include seizures, abnormal breathing, coma and involuntary movements.
Encephalopathy: Key Players in Social Media
The most prominent accounts for the topic of encephalopathy are: NFLCFacts (active voice for retired NFL players), PharmaFactz, Elliot Tapper and Mark Oldham.
Types of encephalopathy
There are a number of causes which results in the development of static encephalopathy. The causes can range from environmental to genetics [1], and depending on the type of factor that triggered the condition, the types of static encephalopathy can be classified inas follows:
Metabolic Encephalopathy
Metabolic encephalopathy is a change in brain consciousness as a result of diffusion or global dysfunction of the brain caused due to compromised cerebral metabolism. In other words, a broad category of encephalopathy that covers the effect of changes in the metabolic activities on the brain functions is known as metabolic encephalopathy.
Discrepancies in the levels of vitamins, water, electrolytes and other chemicals in the body which might be a result of disordered metabolic processes could have adverse effects on the functioning of the brain. Continuous supply of oxygen, glucose and other nutrients to neurons through circulation plays a significant role in the metabolic functions of the brain and therefore an imbalance in their concentration could affect the brain activity thereby causing encephalopathy.
Acute Metabolic Encephalopathy
Acute metabolic encephalopathy is a type of metabolic encephalopathy as mentioned above that develops acutely and causes drowsiness with agitation that alters arousal when a metabolic disturbance occurs. Acute metabolic abnormalities in the blood sugar levels, vitamin levels, unwanted concentration of liver and kidney wastes, thyroid issues could also have an indirect impact on the process of brain functioning. However, the occurrence of acute metabolic encephalopathy is dependent on a number of factors that are responsible for changing blood flow, failure of the metabolism process related to energy and depolarization at cell levels [2].
Acute metabolic encephalopathies have shown a reversible potential given the underlying metabolic disorder is managed. However, if the abnormalities caused due to acute metabolic encephalopathies are not treated within a certain period of time then it may cause secondary damage to the brain structure that may in turn result in chronic encephalopathies.
Toxic Encephalopathy
Toxic encephalopathy is a type of encephalopathy triggered by brain function damage due to exposure to toxic materials. Generally, there is a significant relationship between the type of toxic exposure and the onset of symptoms and therefore the symptoms are immediately visible after acute exposure whereas a little delay in onset is observed when there is a chronic exposure of toxic substances.
Neurotoxins like organic solvents, heavy metals and other chemicals have the potential to cause a decline in the brain reserves thereby creating more vulnerability in the brain cells with respect to aging.
Acute toxic encephalopathy may occur due to exposure to organic solvents that have the potential to penetrate into the cell membrane whereas exposure to certain gasses like cyanide, carbon monoxide, anesthetics and hydrogen sulfide can diffuse and affect functions of the brain, whereas chronic toxic encephalopathy is caused through long-term exposure of toxins that causes continuous diffusion injury to the brain.
Epileptic Encephalopathy
Epileptic Encephalopathy is marked by a A decline in the neurological function caused due to epileptic activities like severe seizures or interictal activity at sub continuous paroxysmal.
Seizures are caused due to a sudden electrical activity in the brain and can have a significant impact on the motility, behavior and consciousness of an individual. The prevalence of epileptic encephalopathy is mostly observed during the early childhood years and is dependent on the functional and structural growth of the brain. Since seizures do not follow a particular pattern and high level of randomness, the recognition as well as management of epileptic encephalopathy becomes quite significant. Cerebral malformation could also be an underlying reason for seizures that can in turn onset epileptic encephalopathy that could help in treating seizures through neurosurgery in certain cases.
Static Encephalopathy Diagnosis and Treatment
A general brain test and the observation of symptoms by a medical expert could be used to diagnose static encephalopathy. Imaging techniques like an MRI or CT scans could be used to find the location and magnitude of the brain issues. Electroencephalography (EEG) test could also be used to diagnose encephalopathy as it is responsible for measuring the brain’s electrical activity. Spinal fluids, blood or urine tests could also be used for diagnosis.
Medications to stop seizures could be used to treat epileptic encephalopathy whereas dialysis could be used to treat metabolic encephalopathy. Improving the quality of life through consuming nutritional supplements and exercising on a regular basis could also be used to manage metabolic and toxic encephalopathy.
Static Encephalopathy - References
- ^ Noboru N Mizushima, et. al. (2013). De novo mutations in the autophagy gene WDR45 cause static encephalopathy of childhood with neurodegeneration in adulthood. Retrieved 29 Oct 2022.
- ^ Jain P., et. al. (2013). Diagnosis and Management of Epileptic Encephalopathies in Children. Epilepsy Research and Treatment, 501981. https://doi.org/10.1155%2F2013%2F501981. Retrieved 29 Oct 2022.
- ^ Surtis R. and Leonard J. (1989). Acute metabolic encephalopathy: a review of causes, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, 1:42-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01799285 . Retrieved 30 Oct 2022.
