Health Care Encyclopedia
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Organic brain syndromeDefinition: Organic brain syndrome is a general term referring to physical disorders (usually not psychiatric disorders) that cause decreased mental function.
Alternative Names: OBS; Organic mental disorder; Chronic organic brain syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: OBS is a common diagnosis in 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: 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.
Symptoms: Symptoms vary with the specific disease. In general, organic brain syndromes cause varying degrees of confusion, delirium (severe, short-term loss of brain function), agitation, and dementia (long-term, often progressive, loss of brain function).
Signs and tests: Testing and physical examination vary depending on the specific disorder.
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.
Expectations (prognosis): See the specific disorder. Some disorders are acute and treatable, but many are chronic or progressive.
Complications: Loss of ability to interact or function independently is common.
Calling your health care provider: Call your provider if: - Organic brain syndrome has been diagnosed and you are uncertain of the actual, specific diagnosis
- You have symptoms which suggest this problem
- You have been diagnosed with OBS and symptoms become worse
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| Review Date: 8/10/2004
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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