There are a large number of conditions and pathologies that can cause the degeneration and death of the neurons that make up the various brain structures. When this degeneration affects the cerebral cortex it is known as cortical atrophy .

Throughout this article we will review the main characteristics of cortical atrophy. In the same way we will review the causes and diseases that cause it, its symptoms and what brain structures are involved.

What is cortical atrophy?

Cortical atrophy refers to the process of gradual degeneration or degradation of the cerebral cortex whose origin is found in the decrease or reduction of the neuronal population that forms it.

The concept of atrophy has its origin in Latin and its translation refers to a lack of nutrition. In the same way, the etymological basis of the word cortical also comes from Latin and is used to refer to everything related to the cerebral cortex.

If we take into account the origins of both concepts, it is easier to deduce that cortical atrophy consists of the gradual destruction of the neuronal cells that make up the upper areas of the brain , specifically those structures that are found in the cerebral cortex, largely due to a decrease or loss of the administration of oxygen and nutrients to these areas.

What are the causes?

Because of the large number of conditions that can cause degeneration of the upper brain structures, cortical atrophy is one of the most researched types of conditions. Among these causes are a great variety of neurodegenerative diseases , such as Alzheimer’s disease, which have as their main effect the destruction of neurons and, as a consequence, the loss of brain mass.

However, there are other causes or risk factors that may favour the development of cortical atrophy. These include the consumption of alcohol in large doses whose toxicity causes neuronal death, as well as some infections such as HIV or lack of blood supply due to strokes or ischemic attacks.

What symptoms do you have?

Cortical atrophy, like the diseases that cause it, is characterized by a large number of cognitive symptoms in the person who suffers it. These changes and alterations in cognitive functions are due to the fact that they are managed by these specialized brain areas.

Cognitive functions refer to all those activities and brain processes that make it possible for people to receive, select, collect, save, transform, process and rescue all the information that reaches us from the environment that does not involve it. Thanks to them, we are able to understand our environment and interact with it.

Considering that neuronal degeneration involves a series of alterations in these functions, the main symptoms of this include

  • Problems in the memory processes.
  • Language alteration .
  • Loss of orientation ability.
  • Alterations in the processes of attention and concentration
  • Problems in executive functions .
  • When neurodegeneration affects the frontal lobe, it can lead to personality and behavioral disorders.

However, this symptomatology may vary according to the neurodegenerative disease that causes it; both the intensity and the number of symptoms typical of each clinical picture may vary.

What brain regions are affected?

As mentioned throughout the article, cortical atrophy consists of the degeneration of neurons in the cerebral cortex. Therefore it will exert its effects on all the structures found in it.

These structures are divided into the different large areas that make up the brain lobes . They are the following.

1. Frontal lobe

Located in the anterior area of the brain, the lobe is the most recent of the brain lobes at the phylogenetic level. This means that it is only found in vertebrate species and is especially more developed in complex species such as hominids.

Among its main functions are those of developing and controlling behavior, as well as linguistic production and abstract thinking . Therefore, all those neurodegenerative diseases that affect this area can seriously compromise the correct functioning of these brain tasks.

2. Parietal lobe

The parietal lobes are located in the upper part of the skull. Neuronal atrophy in this region causes serious alterations in the capacity to integrate sensory information , as well as to understand it and give it meaning.

3. Occipital lobe

This third lobe is located in the back of the brain. It is also the main one in charge of receiving and transmitting visual information coming from the rest of the visual structures.

4. Temporal lobe

Finally, the temporal lobe is located in the lower part of the brain. Any type of injury or atrophy in this region usually causes the most characteristic symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases , since they are all those related to memory and thought processes .

What diseases are related to it?

Although there are many other causes, such as alcoholism or ischemic accidents, which can lead to the degeneration and destruction of neurons in the cerebral cortex, the main causes of this atrophy are neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Pick’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies.

1. Alzheimer’s disease

Senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type consists of a condition of a neurodegenerative nature in which the person experiences an alteration of the memory processes , as well as other mental capacities, which are manifested through cognitive and behavioural symptoms.

2. Pick’s disease

Pick’s disease is a rare Alzheimer’s-like dementia caused by a buildup of Pick’s bodies in brain cells. The main symptoms are related to alterations in behavior such as compulsive and repetitive behaviors, or emotional disturbances such as sudden changes in mood and a loss in the expression of emotions .

3. Dementia with Lewy bodies

The latter type of neurodegenerative disease shares a large number of symptoms with other conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, despite the motor, behavioural and memory symptoms of these dementias, in Lewy body dementia the patient experiences a fluctuation in the intensity of the symptoms accompanied by highly realistic visual hallucinations .

Differences with posterior cortical atrophy

Unlike the cortical atrophy referred to throughout the article, posterior cortical atrophy has a much earlier onset , with the first symptoms appearing between the ages of 50 and 60.

In addition, this neurodegenerative condition is distinguished by the fact that it presents especially visual symptoms . These symptoms include an alteration in the ability to understand the environment around the person, as well as problems in perceiving precise and specific objects that are in the patient’s field of vision. For example, the person is completely unable to see or find the keys in front of them.

With the development of posterior cortical atrophy, the person begins to experience the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of other atrophies, but with the added disadvantage of suffering them at much younger ages.