Question 1

what happens when your brain shrinks?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Not unique to have gradual and steady brain shrinkage with normal aging.  However, if too rapid, which we see with alzheimer's or ms, there is loss of cognitive function.

Question 2

what causes the brain to shrink ?

Accepted Answer

Normal Aging: As the old adage states "you begin to die the morning that you are born", one is born with the greatest amount of nerve cells and they die throughout life.  This is a normal aging process.

Question 3

is a person with a shrunk brain able to recover? is it reversible

Accepted Answer

Brain atrophy STAYS: 'shrunk brain' is brain atophy. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of neurons and the connections between them and is not reversible.  Possible causes are: stroke, aids, ms, cerebral palsy and other degenerative disorders (huntingtons disease & others).  Care is supportive.

Question 4

erotic images (pormography) can damage brain, make brain shrink, etc. is that true?

Accepted Answer

Shrinks some areas: During youth, billions of new synaptic connections are made in the brain. Pornography affects the brain by reinforcing pathways that produce a dopamine "rush" and shrinking the areas that control normal bonding. This has the potential to lead to great problems in sexual compulsivity/sex addiction. Pornography also paints an unrealistic picture of sexuality/relationships and objectifies women/men.

Question 5

does the brain shrink if i have poor diet?

Accepted Answer

It can.: Depends on how poor your diet is. Anorexia nervosa can cause brain size to diminish.

Question 6

can hyperosmolarity cause brain cells to shrink?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Mannitol is osmotic agent utilized to raised the serum osmolality and actually takes fluid from healthy neurons to make room for damaged neurons to swell.  Another agent utilized in certain institutions is 3% nacl solution which again raises the serum osmolality for the same reason.  Osmolarity is mol/kg and osmolality is mol/kg which is what is used in medicine.

Question 7

does the brain get smaller/shrink if you don't sleep for several days?

Accepted Answer

It may feel like it: But in actuality, no- there are no volume changes for losing a few days of sleep (even if you're up continuously). You will probably not be thinking clearly but no shrinkage to worry about. Try not to go several days without sleep though would be my very LOGICAL suggestion. If it's insomnia that's bothering then, see a doctor.  If you're on guard duty...well, KEEP MARCHING IN PLACE!

Question 8

does risperidone shrink a region of the brain?

Accepted Answer

: No, it should not. A medication which causes the structural change of the brain will not be approved by FDA.

Question 9

does risperidone shrink a region of the brain?

Accepted Answer

: No, it does not.

Question 10

i've been taking abilify (aripiprazole) for 1.5 yrs (5mg a day) and it literally saved my life! but the study says it shrinks the brain by 1% a year! is this true!?

Accepted Answer

I have not heard: this. one study may find that but how big was the sample size? was it a good representation of the general population or was it skewed toward a certain group of people.? you have to read studies carefully with informed knowledge b4 panicking unnecessarily. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

What happens when your brain shrinks

A member asked:

What happens when your brain shrinks?

A member asked:

What causes the brain to shrink ?

A member asked:

Is a person with a shrunk brain able to recover? is it reversible

A member asked:

Erotic images (pormography) can damage brain, make brain shrink, etc. is that true?

A member asked:

Does the brain shrink if i have poor diet?

A member asked:

Can hyperosmolarity cause brain cells to shrink?

A member asked:

Does the brain get smaller/shrink if you don't sleep for several days?

A member asked:

Does risperidone shrink a region of the brain?

A member asked:

Does risperidone shrink a region of the brain?

A member asked:

I've been taking abilify (aripiprazole) for 1.5 yrs (5mg a day) and it literally saved my life! but the study says it shrinks the brain by 1% a year! is this true!?

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