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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: Dear Sir,
My mother(age 55) is suffering from memory problems for the past four years. We had MRI(2012) and taken her neurologist but at that time problem was very small. Problem getting worse gradually. Now today she is not able to do her daily routines, could not cook, could not answer to the properly even small queries like what food she had for lunch/dinner.
Two days back we have taken MRI again and below is the impression of MRI:
1. diffuse changes cerebral volume loss - microvascular ischemic changes of periventricular white matter
2. chronic lacunar infracts involving white matter of both frontal lobes
Please suggest what is her brain condition now and best treatment.
My mother(age 55) is suffering from memory problems for the past four years. We had MRI(2012) and taken her neurologist but at that time problem was very small. Problem getting worse gradually. Now today she is not able to do her daily routines, could not cook, could not answer to the properly even small queries like what food she had for lunch/dinner.
Two days back we have taken MRI again and below is the impression of MRI:
1. diffuse changes cerebral volume loss - microvascular ischemic changes of periventricular white matter
2. chronic lacunar infracts involving white matter of both frontal lobes
Please suggest what is her brain condition now and best treatment.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of dementia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and reports and understand your concerns.
The symptoms and Mri is suggestive of dementia.
At this age secondary causes of dementia should be evaluated by investigations like Thyroid profile, vitamin B 12, renal function test, blood sugar and renal function test.
If all blood investigations are normal then possibility of degenerative brain disease due to age should be considered.
In most common dementia, alzheimers disease, there is gradual loss of memory.
In other dementia like fronto temporal dementia associated behavioural, personality changes are prominent.
For treatment many drugs like memantine, rivastigmine, donepizil are available which are started under guidance of a neurologist.
Control of blood pressure, diabetes and supplementation of deficient nutrients is also advised.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of dementia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and reports and understand your concerns.
The symptoms and Mri is suggestive of dementia.
At this age secondary causes of dementia should be evaluated by investigations like Thyroid profile, vitamin B 12, renal function test, blood sugar and renal function test.
If all blood investigations are normal then possibility of degenerative brain disease due to age should be considered.
In most common dementia, alzheimers disease, there is gradual loss of memory.
In other dementia like fronto temporal dementia associated behavioural, personality changes are prominent.
For treatment many drugs like memantine, rivastigmine, donepizil are available which are started under guidance of a neurologist.
Control of blood pressure, diabetes and supplementation of deficient nutrients is also advised.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thanks for the quick response and the advice. I was taking some to time to see the previous medical reports that we have in hand.
My mother BP is in control and she is not diabetic as we check these regularly. But she is taking medication for thyroid problem since last 4 years. 75mg is the dosage every day once she takes early in the morning before taking any food. She is around 75kg weight / 5.5 height and earlier we took medication for cholesterol.
We never took renal function test as you suggested, this time we will go for this test also.
I would like to know what is the current state of dementia, is it in initial stages ? Can she fully recover from this with medications as you suggested? What about food and physical activities, any precautions to take?
Please suggest.
My mother BP is in control and she is not diabetic as we check these regularly. But she is taking medication for thyroid problem since last 4 years. 75mg is the dosage every day once she takes early in the morning before taking any food. She is around 75kg weight / 5.5 height and earlier we took medication for cholesterol.
We never took renal function test as you suggested, this time we will go for this test also.
I would like to know what is the current state of dementia, is it in initial stages ? Can she fully recover from this with medications as you suggested? What about food and physical activities, any precautions to take?
Please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Take steps and treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The actual stage of dementia can only be ascertained by clinical examination. The symptoms creating problem in daily activities suggest more than initial stage.
If Thyroid profile was not repeated in last 3-6 months then repeat it.
Other blood investigation should be done.
Treatment is to halt and improve to some extent. Complete reversal or improvement is unlikely.
Food rich in antioxidant like fresh fruits, vegetables should be taken regularly.
Drugs as discussed improves memory to some extent.
Regular exercise and morning walk keeps healthy.
Dairy helps in keeping track of daily activities.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Take steps and treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The actual stage of dementia can only be ascertained by clinical examination. The symptoms creating problem in daily activities suggest more than initial stage.
If Thyroid profile was not repeated in last 3-6 months then repeat it.
Other blood investigation should be done.
Treatment is to halt and improve to some extent. Complete reversal or improvement is unlikely.
Food rich in antioxidant like fresh fruits, vegetables should be taken regularly.
Drugs as discussed improves memory to some extent.
Regular exercise and morning walk keeps healthy.
Dairy helps in keeping track of daily activities.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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