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What Does MRI Of Brain Showing Diffuse Atrophy Indicate?
Question: Greetings, I've been concerned over a recent brain MRI even through the impression indicated exam within normal limits the finding mentioned mild diffuse atrophy associated with small vessel ischemic changes. My father has alzheimer's (Aphasia) and this has grealy impacted all of us. Since the MRI I've been stressed and anxious for the past two weeks. Noticed that I'm mispronoucing or slurring a few common words each day. My wife thinks its related to up and down dosage of gabapentin (1800-3600mg) for a nerve (foot) injury. Is this normal? Should I get tested for dementia? (51 yrs. male)
Brief Answer:
Diffuse brain atrophy is normal at your age.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
Diffuse brain atrophy is normal at your age.Small vessel ischemic changes can be age related as well.Some factors like high blood pressure,Diabetes and smoking can further add up to small vessel ischemia(in case you have any of them with you).
Though heredity may play a role,but your father having Alzheimer's does not necessarily mean that you will have it too.
Mispronouncing a few words may be physiological.However,considering your anxiety levels,I suggest you to get yourself examined by a neurologist for detailed higher mental functions/dementia evaluation.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Diffuse brain atrophy is normal at your age.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
Diffuse brain atrophy is normal at your age.Small vessel ischemic changes can be age related as well.Some factors like high blood pressure,Diabetes and smoking can further add up to small vessel ischemia(in case you have any of them with you).
Though heredity may play a role,but your father having Alzheimer's does not necessarily mean that you will have it too.
Mispronouncing a few words may be physiological.However,considering your anxiety levels,I suggest you to get yourself examined by a neurologist for detailed higher mental functions/dementia evaluation.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
What is involved with getting a detailed higher mental functions evaluation? Is there a specific test(s) or would the neurologist be able to make a determination based upon the initial examination? My memory and overall health is excellent, it's the occasional mispronounced (common) word that concerns me. No ties to the up/down dosage of Gabapentn? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Higher mental functions evaluation is for Dementia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Detailed higher mental functions examination is needed to detect early stage Dementia.No specific test,as I said it is detailed Higher mental functions examination.Gabapentin may cause some drowsiness(if that is the cause of some slurred words) otherwise,it should not cause any specific speech problem.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Higher mental functions evaluation is for Dementia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Detailed higher mental functions examination is needed to detect early stage Dementia.No specific test,as I said it is detailed Higher mental functions examination.Gabapentin may cause some drowsiness(if that is the cause of some slurred words) otherwise,it should not cause any specific speech problem.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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