Many cause can change temporary or permanently the volumetric data in CT and MRI brain morphometry. Frequently the volume is influenced with osmolarity - change in water-salt balance caused with nutrition, drinking, trauma, inflammation, hormones, psychoactive substance, drugs, etc.
Regardless of the cause, if something is happening and can be quantified can it be regarded as an artefact?
Or are you arguing about our rigid views on brain atrophies per se where we see them as a cause and not effect?
Yes I am arguing about our rigid views on brain atrophies per se where we see them as a cause of neuropsychiatric illnesses, without any cler relationship between morphology and functionality, and without any data about etiology and prognosis (follow up studies). I am arguing that can be only consequence from dehidratation (water-sal disbalance), malnutrition (anorexia), ect. And on 3th place we have no data for comparation, because the s.c atrophy is from early childhood....
You need to draw a distinction between age related cerebral parenchymal volume loss (which the vast majority of the elderly population will exhibit- see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15052785), and pathological atrophic changes seen in neurodegenerative disorders.
This is a good summary : http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/p43dbf6d16f98d/dementia-role-of-mri.html
David thank You for Your suggestion! I agree with You, but I ask You to read my comment again.
....es I am arguing about our rigid views on brain atrophies per se where we see them as a cause of neuropsychiatric illnesses, without any clear relationship between morphology and functional deficits, and without any data about etiology and prognosis (follow up studies). I am arguing that the atrophy (image, static picture of atrophy) can be only consequence from dehidratation (water-sal disbalance), malnutrition (anorexia), ect. And on 3th place we have no data for comparation, because the s.c atrophy is maybe originated from early childhood....
Neurology. 2005 Feb 8;64(3):548-50.
Dehydration confounds the assessment of brain atrophy.
Duning T1, Kloska S, Steinsträter O, Kugel H, Heindel W, Knecht S.
Abstract
Computerized brain volumetry has potential value for diagnosis and the follow-up evaluation of degenerative disorders. A potential pitfall of this method is the extent of physiologic variations in brain volume. The authors show that dehydration and rehydration can significantly change brain volume: lack of fluid intake for 16 hours decreased brain volume by 0.55% (SD, +/-0.69), and after rehydration total cerebral volume increased by 0.72% (SD, +/-0.21).
PMID:
15699394
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1279840/Water-brain-Grey-matter-literally-shrinks-hydration.html
Researchers Matthew Kempton and Ulrich Ettinger, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, said: ‘Fluid-filled cavities in the middle of the brain expanded and there was a corresponding shrinking of the brain tissue.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/health/469990/lack-of-water-shrinks-your-brain.html#khEueFVkMJkLmrpw.99
Very important articles about Intracranial hypotension in attachment.
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