| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Organic brain syndrome is a general term which refers to physical disorders that cause a decrease in mental function, usually not including psychiatric disorders.
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| Alternative Names | OBS; Organic mental disorder; Chronic organic brain syndrome |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors | OBS is a common "diagnosis" of 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:
Degenerative disorders:
Creutzfeldt-Jacob diseaseHuntington diseaseMultiple sclerosisNormal pressure hydrocephalusPick's diseaseSenile dementia/Alzheimer's typeCardiovascular disorders :
Arrhythmias -- may cause some types of OBS Cardiac infections ( endocarditis , myocarditis , etc.) -- may sometimes cause OBS Hypertensive brain injuryMulti-infarct dementia (multiple strokes) StrokeTIA Trauma-induced brain injury:
Chronic subdural hematoma (blood clot causing pressure on brain) ConcussionIntracerebral hemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhageDementia due to metabolic causesRespiratory conditions -- may cause or aggravate OBS
Hypoxia (decreased oxygen in the body) Hypercapnia (increased carbon dioxide levels in the body) Infections
Any acute or chronic infectionSepticemia (presence in the bloodstream of toxic by-products caused by infection) MeningitisEncephalitis Drug and alcohol related conditions
Intoxication, drug abuse , or alcohol use Long-term effects of alcohol, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndromeAlcohol withdrawal state Withdrawal from drugs (especially sedative-hypnotics and corticosteroids) Parkinson's disease
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.
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| Symptoms | Symptoms vary with the specific disease. In general, organic brain syndromes cause varying extents of confusion , delirium (severe, short-term losses of brain function), agitation , and dementia (long-term, often progressive, losses of brain function).
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| 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. |
| Support Groups | |
| 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 health care provider if "organic brain syndrome" has been diagnosed and you are uncertain of the actual, specific diagnosis; if you have symptoms which suggest this problem; or if you have been diagnosed with it and symptoms become worse.
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| Prevention | |
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