Microangiopathy is a term that is used to describe changes to the small blood vessels in the brain. The cause is not completely understood, but could be the result of plaque buildup and hardening (atherosclerosis) of the small blood vessels nourishing the brain. This is the same process that can narrow and damage heart blood vessels.
The cerebellum is the area at the back and bottom of the brain, behind the brainstem (where the spinal cord meets the brain). It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity. It is also important for learning motor behaviors and coordination of eye movements. Diffuse atrophy of the cerebellum refers to a progressive and irreversible reduction in cerebellar volume. It is found in a wide variety of clinical scenarios. It can also result from a variety of causes including drugs (alcohol and/or certain medications) and neurodegenerative diseases.
Demyelinating diseases are any conditions that cause damage to the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerves, which then causes communication problems in the nervous system and brain. One example of a demyelinating disease is multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Common symptoms of demyelinating disease include extreme fatigue, vision problems, and difficulty with movement.
Vasogenic edema is a buildup of fluid in the brain due to a disruption in the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a network of blood vessels and tissue that helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition that is caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles (cavities or spaces) of the brain without an increase in intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord, cushioning and protecting them from damage. With NPH, an excess of cerebrospinal fluid is present because the body cannot properly drain and absorb the fluid. The differences between NPH and other forms of hydrocephalus is that even though there is a larger than normal amount of CSF, the pressure inside the ventricles remains the same.Normal pressure hydrocephalus most often occurs in people over age 60. The exact cause of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is not clear. However, in some cases, NPH can occur as a result of other conditions such as bleeding around the brain from head injuries/stroke or infections such as meningitis.
An infarct (short for infarction) is a stroke caused by an interruption of a healthy blood supply to the brain. Old infarcts are not reversible. They are most commonly caused by the same risk factors that cause heart disease, including high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking and sometimes emboli (small particles such as blood clots or plaque that traveled from other parts of the body).
