Aura without headache, often called a silent migraine or typical aura without headache, is a neurological phenomenon where a person experiences the sensory symptoms of a migraine aura but does not develop the usual migraine headache afterward. This means that…
A scintillating scotoma is a type of visual disturbance often experienced as part of a migraine aura. It appears as a flickering or shimmering area in the field of vision that can interfere with seeing clearly. This area usually starts…
Chronic microvascular ischemic disease is a condition that affects the small blood vessels in the brain. Over time, these tiny vessels become damaged or narrowed, which reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to brain tissue. This damage is often linked…
Ischemic changes on an MRI refer to areas in the brain where blood flow has been reduced or blocked, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This condition causes damage to brain tissue because cells cannot function properly without…
Gliosis on a brain scan refers to a process where the brain tissue shows signs of scarring or repair after injury. It happens when certain brain cells called glial cells multiply and form a dense network in response to damage.…
Encephalomalacia is a medical condition where brain tissue becomes soft and breaks down. The term comes from Greek words that literally mean “softening of the brain.” This happens when brain cells die and the tissue degenerates, usually because the brain…
Hippocampal shrinkage refers to the reduction in size or volume of the hippocampus, a critical part of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe. The hippocampus plays a key role in forming new memories, consolidating short-term memories into long-term…
Frontal lobe atrophy is a condition where the front part of the brain, called the frontal lobe, starts to shrink or lose tissue. This area is important for many things like making decisions, controlling emotions, planning, and managing behavior. When…
Temporal lobe atrophy refers to the shrinking or loss of brain tissue in the temporal lobes, which are located on the sides of the brain near the temples. This condition involves the progressive deterioration of neurons and brain structures in…
Infratentorial on an MRI refers to a specific location in the brain. Understanding this term helps patients and their families grasp what doctors mean when they describe brain imaging results. The brain sits inside the skull and is divided into…