ENCEPHALOPATHY

The term covering certain conditions in which there are signs of cerebral irritation without any localised lesion to account for them. Examples are HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY, SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY, WERNICKE’S ENCEPHALOPATHY and lead encephalopathy. In the first, which occurs in the later stages of chronic glomerulonephritis (see KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF), or URAEMIA, the headache, convulsions and delirium which constitute the main symptoms are supposed to be due to a deficient blood supply to the brain.