brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Overview of Brain Dysfunction
Causes of Brain Dysfunction
Localized brain dysfunctionis caused by disorders that occur in a specific area of the brain, including the following: Overview of Brain Tumors None Abscess of the Brain None Disorders that reduce blood flow (and thus the oxygen supply) to a specific area, such as a Overview of Stroke None Overview of Head Injuries None Certain types of Seizure Disorders None Diffuse brain dysfunctionis caused by disorders that affect large areas of the brain, including the following: Disorders that cause metabolic abnormalities, such as low levels of sugar in the blood ( Hypoglycemia ) or low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia—usually due to a lung or heart disorder or, often, to respiratory or Infections, such as Introduction to Meningitis and Very High Blood Pressure or very Disorders that affect blood vessels, such as Overview of Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) Cancer that has spread through several areas of the brain or to the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) Disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the brain, such as Alzheimer Disease and other dementias Diffuse brain dysfunction may also result from disorders that occur in a specific area of the brain if they cause swelling of or put pressure on a large area of the brain. These disorders include the following: Brain abscesses Large brain tumors Severe or blunt head injuries COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory illness, but it can also affect many organs in the body, including the brain. The virus that causes COVID-19 can cause widespread brain dysfunction, resulting in nervous system (neurologic) and mental health problems. Some of these problems may linger after recovery from the acute illness. Certain drugs, such as opioids (narcotics), some sedatives (such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates), and antidepressants, cause diffuse brain dysfunction if people are sensitive to their effects (as older people are) or if the level of drug in the blood is too high. Different areas of the brain control specific functions. Consequently, where the brain is damaged determines which function is lost. 