Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

254 The Nervous System
glue used to attach the electrodes to the scalp may
be difficult to cleanse from the hair.
See also APNEA; NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION; SLEEP
DISORDERS.
encephalopathy Widespread (as opposed to
localized) dysfunction of the BRAIN. Encephalopathy
may be short term and temporary or result
from irreversible damage to the brain such as can
occur with metabolic, infectious, and degenerative
diseases. Symptoms of encephalopathy include
• personality changes
• mood swings
• cognitive dysfunction
• memory impairment
• slurred speech
• disorientation
• UNCONSCIOUSNESS or COMA
The diagnostic path begins with a comprehensive
medical examination, discussion of PERSONAL
HEALTH HISTORY, and basic NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION.
BLOOD tests to measure electrolytes, enzymes,
blood composition, GLUCOSE and INSULIN levels, and
HORMONE levels can provide clues as to whether
there is a condition of metabolic imbalance. The
doctor may conduct diagnostic imaging procedures
such as COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN
or MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) to visualize
the structures of the brain and detect any abnormalities.
Treatment targets the underlying condition.
Some forms of encephalopathy are reversible,
though encephalopathy may be an end-stage circumstance
in conditions such as LIVER failure or
RENAL FAILURE. Encephalopathy resulting from
degenerative neurologic conditions such as
CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD) is not reversible.
Many people who recover from encephalopathy
have no long-term residual effects. Some people
may have persistent symptoms such as cognitive
dysfunction or mood swings, or may develop
SEIZURE DISORDERS.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ENCEPHALOPATHY
ALCOHOLISM
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
CIRRHOSIS
DRUG OVERDOSE
END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD)
HEAVY-METAL POISONING
HYPERTENSION
ILLICIT DRUG USE
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
STROKE
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
BRAIN TUMOR
CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD)
ENCEPHALITIS
Hashimoto’s THYROIDITIS
HEMATOCHROMATOSIS
HYPOXIA
LIVER FAILURE
POLIOMYELITIS
WILSON’S DISEASE
See also DEMENTIA; END OF LIFE CONCERNS;
LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH; ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME.
epilepsy
See SEIZURE DISORDERS.