Final answer:
Dysfunction in the brain can be caused by physical, developmental, and neurological disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three categories of dysfunction in the brain:
- Physical causes: These can include a physical blow to the brain, electrical shock to the brain, disease growths in the brain, and chemicals induced into the brain.
- Developmental disorders: These are caused by defects that disrupt the normal development of the central nervous system (CNS) and can result from genetic factors or environmental factors during development.
- Neurological disorders: These include conditions like strokes, epilepsy, and chronic pain disorders that cause changes in neurological function and behavior.
Symptoms of Brain Dysfunction
The type and severity of brain dysfunction depend on the location of the brain damage, as well as whether it affects the whole brain (diffuse) or only part (localized) of the brain. When the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain) is damaged, the degree of dysfunction is often proportionate to the extent of the damage: The more extensive the damage, the more severe the dysfunction is likely to be. However, damage to some areas of the brain can cause severe dysfunction even when the damaged area is small. When the brain stem (which regulates critical body functions and levels of consciousness) is damaged, a relatively small amount of damage may cause coma and even death.
Disorders that progress rapidly are more likely to cause more noticeable symptoms of brain dysfunction than disorders that progress slowly. For example, a severe stroke is more likely to cause noticeable symptoms than a slow-growing tumor. The brain compensates for gradual changes more easily than for rapid changes.