From WikiCNS Jump to: navigation, search    Encephalopathy
literally means disease of the brain. there are many etiologies
for encephalopathy. For example, anoxic encephalopathy commonly
refers to permanent brain damage with often severe impairment of
consciousness and mental abilities caused by cessation of oxygen
delivery to the brain. In contrast, toxic-metabolic
encephalopathy, which has protean causes, is generally
completely reversible given reversal of the underlying toxic
(infectious) or metabolic insult. Because the word
encephalopathy is used in so many contexts, it has no direct
synonyms. Contrast to dementia which refers to a permanent
reduction in mental abilities from a previously higher level
(c.f. mental retardation), always in the absence of acute
illness or alteration of consciousness. Also contrast to
delirium which refers to an acute confusional state, frequently,
but not always, in the setting of acute illness. Because toxic-
metabolic encephalopathy is frequently a confusional state in th