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. Encephalopa-
thy 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
- UNCONSCIOUSNESSor COMA
The diagnostic path begins with a comprehen-
sive medical examination, discussion of PERSONAL
HEALTH HISTORY, and basic NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION.
BLOOD tests to measure electrolytes, enzymes,
blood composition, GLUCOSEand INSULINlevels, and
HORMONElevels can provide clues as to whether
there is a condition of metabolic imbalance. The
doctor may conduct diagnostic imaging proce-
dures such as COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN
orMAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING(MRI) to visualize
the structures of the brain and detect any abnor-
malities.
Treatment targets the underlying condition.
Some forms of encephalopathy are reversible,
though encephalopathy may be an end-stage cir-
cumstance in conditions such as LIVERfailure 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 ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE BRAIN TUMOR
CIRRHOSIS CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE(CJD)
DRUG OVERDOSE ENCEPHALITIS
END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE(ESRD) Hashimoto’s THYROIDITIS
HEAVY-METAL POISONING HEMATOCHROMATOSIS
HYPERTENSION HYPOXIA
ILLICIT DRUG USE LIVER FAILURE
PARKINSON’S DISEASE POLIOMYELITIS
STROKE WILSON’S DISEASESee also DEMENTIA; END OF LIFE CONCERNS;
LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH; ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME.epilepsy See SEIZURE DISORDERS.254 The Nervous System