This is a
general term that refers to physical disorders that cause a decrease
in mental function, usually not including psychiatric disorders.
Also known as: chronic organic brain syndrome; OBS; organic mental
disorder
Symptoms vary
with the specific disease. In general, organic brain syndromes
cause varying extent of confusion, delirium (severe, short term
losses of brain function), agitation, and dementia (long-term,
often progressive, losses of brain function).
Associated
Features:
Organic
brain syndrome associated with consumption of drugs.
Differential
Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore,
in his diagnostic attempt, has to differentiate against the following
disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.
Organic brain
syndrome (OBS) is a common "diagnosis" of the elderly.
It is not an inevitable part of aging, however. OBS is not a separate
disease entity, but is a general term used to categorize physical
conditions that can cause mental changes.
Disorders
associated with OBS include, but are not limited to:
Degenerative
Disorders:
Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease
Huntington Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Pick's dDsease
Senile Dementia/Alzheimer's
type
Cardiovascular Disorders
Hypertensive Brain Injury
Multi-infarct Dementia
Stroke
Trauma-induced
brain injury
Dementia due to metabolic causes
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Drug and alcohol related conditions
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Parkinson's
Disease
Other conditions that may be related to organic brain syndrome
include depression, neuroses, and psychoses of various types,
which may occur simultaneously with the OBS.
Cause:
It is not
an inevitable part of aging, however. OBS is not a separate disease
entity, but is a general term used to categorize physical conditions
that can cause mental changes.
Treatment:
Treatment varies with the
specific disorder. Many of the disorders have nonspecific treatments,
primarily supportive care to assist the person in areas where
brain function is lost. Medications may be needed to reduce aggressive
behaviors typical of some of the conditions in this category.
