Cerebral atrophy is a loss of brain tissue that can be caused by various diseases, disorders, injuries, infections or drug use. Learn about the symptoms, classification and biomarkers of cerebral atrophy from this comprehensive Wikipedia article. Cerebral Atrophy Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many of the diseases that affect the brain. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of neurons and the connections between them. Atrophy can be generalized, which means that all of the brain has shrunk; or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain and resulting in a decrease of the functions that area of the brain controls. If the cerebral hemispheres (the two lobes of the ... Cerebral atrophy refers to the loss of brain cells over time, resulting in shrinking of parts or all of the brain. Factors like aging, injuries, infections, strokes, or neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease can cause cerebral atrophy. Cerebral atrophy can cause symptoms like changes in personality or behavior, disorientation, memory difficulties, or impaired balance and coordination. While cerebral atrophy can’t be reversed, treatment may help relieve the symptoms and maintain ... Cerebral atrophy can occur due to a variety of factors: aging, genetic predispositions, and more. Learn more information about cerebral atrophy, including symptoms, treatment, and causes.