Brain Atrophy

[redbone38]

Can you reverse brain atrophy?  I did some research and I was told that lithium will help.  My son is 15 a severed from a TBI on 11/12/07, and still hospitalized.  My husband and I were recently informed that his brain had atrophy.  I had never heard of anything like this should we get a second opinion?  But can the brain heal itself?  Replace the nerouns and the cells I thought the younger you were the better the results?  Since the brain had shrunk do this mean he have a brain of someone 50 years of age? Etc.

Please Advise

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The brain does heal itself. but not by regeneration of neurons. It is by other neurons taking over the function of the dead ones. I would like to know if you have been informed about any particular region of the brain has atrophy.

regards

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is your son feeling?
I am sorry to hear about him. I mean I indeed feel bad about any child having any issue.
I am sorry I felt your child had Tubercular Brain Infection. If he has got Traumatic Brain Injury, yes it will take time to heal.
I am sorry to say but Dr. Abhijeet is right in mentioning that only neurons which are intact will heal.
It is difficult to say which neurons will heal and which won’t.
I think have faith in God and everything will turn good.
I would pray for your child.
Good luck and hope for the best.
Bye.

[redbone38]

my son severed from Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI),  the doctors never informed us of Tubercular Brain Infection.  We was told that the takes about 1 to 2 years and the the brain heals from the inside out and that the brain heals itself.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

Hope your son is better today. Traumatic brain injury may lead to atrophy, but it is not the same as the atrophy of an old man. An old man's brain would reduce in size overall. Atrophy due to a TBI may be specific to some areas / lobes.

Brain cells (neurons) can not regenerate ! Once dead, a neuron does not regenerate. A neuron damaged or cut into half can grow, but a dead one can not.

I am sorry for the bad news, but this is the objective opinion.

Which areas are atrophied in your son's case ?

Regards

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is your son feeling?
I think you need to take a different opinion from other neurologist especially pediatric neurologist.
Your child has Tubercular Brain Infection I assume.
No, the brain can't heal itself and once it has atrophied it is difficult to reverse.
You can research about stem cell therapy.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.