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Types of Encephalopathy



Encephalopathy may refer to any number of brain diseases or disorders that cause an altered mental condition. In many cases, the change is reversible through medication and treatment.

In some cases, the damage maybe more pronounced, permanent and even gradually degenerative. An encephalopathy may occur due to viral or bacterial infections, toxins, substance abuse and nutritional imbalance.

Thus, there are several different kinds of encephalopathy depending on the causes.

• Dysfunction of the mitochondrial DNA may cause metabolic disorder with particular damage to the central nervous system. This is known as Mitochondrial Encephalopathy.
• An accumulation of toxins in the blood stream, usually filtered by the liver may lead to Hepatic Encephalopathy. An impaired liver function allows toxic waste to creep back into the body system and leads to altered brain function and coordination difficulties. Liver failure may also cause individual's to slip into a coma called hepatic coma.
• An autoimmune disorder may lead to Hashimoto's Encephalopathy.
• An excessive production of glycine, a genetic disorder in certain individuals, may cause Glycenic Encephalopathy.
• A nutritional deficiency, such as a thiamine deficiency in individuals (especially alcoholics) may cause Wernicke's Encephalopathy
• Prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals and toxins may cause permanent brain damage from Toxic Encephalopathy.
• Elevated blood pressure may cause brain dysfunction or damage called Hypertensive Encephalopathy.
• Limited supply of oxygen to the brain due to an injury or obstruction may result in a temporary or permanent brain alteration, called Hypoxic ischemic Encephalopathy. During pregnancy or labor, the fetus may suffer from lack of oxygen resulting in Neonatal Encephalopathy.
• Mad cow disease (Bovine spongiform Encephalopathy) maybe caused by bacteria called prions that pulverize brain tissue into a spongy mass. Transmissible spongiform Encephalopathy leads to lack of movement control, hand eye co-ordination and a high fatality rate.