What is Leukoencephalopathy?
Disease description:
Recently, Grandpa has been forgetting things often, and sometimes he is inattentive when talking with him. After an examination, it was diagnosed as leukoaraiosis. What exactly is leukoaraiosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Leukoencephalopathy is a disease affecting the white matter of the brain. It encompasses a range of different pathological conditions, all characterized by abnormalities in the white matter regions of the brain. The brain's white matter mainly consists of nerve fibers responsible for transmitting information and signals, enabling communication between different regions of the brain and between the brain and other parts of the body.
Common symptoms include cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, ataxia, and damage to motor neurons. Patients with mild cases may experience chronic confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and emotional disturbances, while severe cases may lead to consequences such as dementia, loss of consciousness, numbness, and coma.
Treatment of leukoencephalopathy should be selected according to specific factors, including medications for controlling vascular disease risk, lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and neurotrophic drugs. Most cases of leukoencephalopathy are reversible, but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Additionally, patients should maintain a positive mood, engage in appropriate physical exercise, and follow a balanced diet in daily life to aid in disease treatment and recovery.
