Spongiform Encephalopathy
Spongiform Encephalopathy Causes
Spongiform encephalopathy may be caused by an infectious agent such as virus, bacteria or prion. It can also be caused by brain abscess or tumor resulting to intracranial pressure. Other causes may be due to exposure to toxic matters, excessive radiation, trauma and even lack of blood flow or oxygen supply to the brain.
Spongiform Encephalopathy Definition
Spongiform encephalopathy is a rare inherited prion disease with a wide range of symptoms which are actual results of degeneration of the nervous system.
Spongiform Encephalopathy Diagnosis
Diagnoses are usually based on diagnosis of signs and symptoms; no diagnostic procedure can give diagnosis of the condition but mainly on the presentation of the illness.
Spongiform Encephalopathy Symptoms and Signs
Spongiform encephalopathy demonstrates and presents some of the following symptoms caused by the degenerative condition of the nervous system: ? Decreased ability to control voluntary movements ? Mental confusion or the condition where thought is greatly impaired (dementia) ? Difficulty communicating by means of speaking ? Inability of the eye to follow a moving object ( ocular dysmetria) ? Lower extremities have remarkable diminished reflexes ? Lack of reflexes in the legs and feet ? Spongiform cerebral degeneration ? Positive Babinski sign ? Change in the person's behavior and well-being ? Changes in memory ? Impaired brain function
Spongiform Encephalopathy Treatment
Treatment is based on the severity of the condition; treating the primary cause of the encephalopathy would be useful in overturning the symptoms of the disorder only if the condition does not cause permanent and irreversible damage to the brain.