Dementia and the brain
The most common types of dementia each start with shrinkage of brain tissue that may be restricted to certain parts of the brain.
Does brain shrinkage mean dementia?
This loss may be the result of an injury, infection, or underlying health condition. Mild cases of brain atrophy may have little effect on daily functioning. However, brain atrophy can sometimes lead to symptoms such as seizures, aphasia, and dementia.
What does it mean if your doctor says that your brain is shrinking?
When your brain shrinks, there are fewer connections between neurons, and the neurotransmitter systems that communicate information from the brain to different parts of the body change, resulting in numerous complications. All of these factors play a role in the aging process and age-related cognitive decline.
