Minimal brain dysfunction

Minimal brain dysfunction is a cerebral pathology that has a polyetiological nature, i.e. it occurs for many reasons – under the guise of disorders in the functioning of the brain. Basically, these neurological disorders are reversible and disappear with age.

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Causes minimal brain dysfunction

This pathological condition occurs as a result of various diseases during pregnancy and childbirth. Another reason is poor care in infancy, various infections.

Also among the factors influencing the occurrence of such dysfunction are various harmful effects that affected the fetus during its development in the womb. Among them are infections that the mother suffered from, toxicosis, alcohol poisoning in the late stages of pregnancy, injuries received during childbirth, infections that the child was exposed to in the first 3 years of life. Such disorders can lead to damage to the cortex of the brain or its subcortex. Regarding the localization of damage, it can be very diverse. The location of the lesion also determines what specific external sign the disease will manifest itself with in the future.

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Pathogenesis

With MMD, a child has minor disturbances in the structure and functioning of the brain - it develops a little differently than it should. The baby receives damage while still in the womb, since the fetus is quite sensitive to irritants, especially in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. During this period of time, it is affected by any factors - ecology, infections, medications, radiation, stress and the mother's nerves. When several such irritants are combined, the situation worsens even more. In addition, in the first month of pregnancy, many women do not even know about their condition, but this is when the formation of the fetus's nervous system occurs. The result of damage can manifest itself from birth or in infancy, but it is also possible for signs to appear as early as 6-7 years of age.

Minimal brain dysfunction can develop in 2 directions - the child can be inhibited or, conversely, hyperactive. In the first months of life, if the disease is present, the baby will have trouble falling asleep and breastfeeding, wake up at night, cry for no reason - in general, demonstrate symptoms of excessive excitement. If you notice such behavior in your child, you need to show him to a doctor.

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Symptoms minimal brain dysfunction

The most characteristic symptom of the disease is that functional problems prevail over organic ones. In concrete terms, the child has difficulty coping with school assignments, his behavior changes greatly, speech disorders arise, various neurotic reactions occur, and motor skills become insufficient.

Minimal brain dysfunction makes the child hyperactive. In addition, this excessive excitability is not motivated in any way, it has no purpose. It often occurs as a result of stress or when the child is in an unfamiliar environment. This condition is also characterized by a lack of concentration - the patient cannot focus on one thing, gets distracted. Such hyperactivity often decreases as the child grows older and passes by the age of 12-15.

In rare cases, the reaction to the disease will be a decrease in activity, lack of initiative, and a greater desire to be alone.

The change in behavior is accompanied by other problems, such as poor sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and a decrease in daily sleep needs. In addition, there is irritability, frequent mood swings, emotional lability, and impulsiveness – the child may start showing aggression or become enraged at any moment.

First signs

Below is a list of 14 symptoms that may indicate the disease. If your child has at least 8 signs, then he or she has minimal brain dysfunction. Symptoms:

1. fidgeting in the chair, constant, chaotic waving of the legs and arms;
2. unable to sit still for a period of time when necessary;
3. external stimuli can easily distract him;
4. he finds it difficult to wait for a change in group exercises or games;
5. may begin to answer without even listening to the end of the question asked of him;
6. when carrying out assignments, he may experience difficulties that are not related to a lack of understanding of the essence of the task or negativity;
7. when performing assigned tasks or playing, he cannot maintain attention and concentration on this action for a long time;
8. can leave a task unfinished and start a new one;
9. cannot play games quietly and calmly;
10. talks a lot;
11. can be intrusive, interrupting other people;
12. may not hear when addressed or spoken to;
13. may lose things at home or at school;
14. commits dangerous, very risky actions without thinking and without realizing the seriousness of the possible consequences for him.

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Minimal brain dysfunction syndrome

The main signs of the presence of the syndrome during the first year of life are called minor neurological symptoms. They can manifest themselves in different ways and depend on the age of the patient.

Symptoms of the disease in infants are mild disorders in muscle tone similar to dystonia. They are quite persistent, although they do not affect the activity of movements. Mild movements may also occur, performed involuntarily - hyperkinesis, myoclonus, tremor. They occur irregularly and do not depend on the patient's emotions. There may be a delay in sensory-motor work - visual coordination is impaired. The formation of manipulative-object actions, movements of individual fingers develops poorly - this usually becomes noticeable closer to the end of 1 year. Then there is an insufficiency of grasping an object with fingers. There may be a developmental delay.

All the above-described signs often go together with problems in the work of craniocerebral innervation, reflex asymmetry. Some other diseases can also develop - vegetative-visceral dysfunctions, hyperdynamia, hypertension syndrome. It should be noted that minimal brain dysfunction does not have a permanent effect on the development of the psyche and motor skills.

Minimal brain dysfunction in adults

Young adults diagnosed with minimal brain dysfunction as children have undergone tests that show that even though most signs of neurological disorders resolve with age, some psychological and adaptation problems remain. These people have difficulty interacting socially, feel inadequate, are immature, and have poor academic and work skills. They also have symptoms such as:

• Problems with motor function, often referred to as clumsiness;
• The person is not capable of learning;
• It is impossible to sit still, the person constantly fidgets;
• Rapid mood swings, often without any external reason;
• There is a problem of deficit of voluntary attention;
• High sparseness and impulsive behavior.

A traumatic injury, such as a skull injury, can also have a negative impact on brain function. If you have this situation, you should seek help from an osteopath and undergo a course of treatment. This will improve brain function – a person will be able to cope with stress more easily, their memory and attentiveness will improve, and they will be able to cope with physical and intellectual stress better. And overall, their well-being will improve significantly.

Minimal brain dysfunction in children

If you notice signs in your child such as lack of attention, high excitability, rapid fatigue, problems communicating with peers and relatives, slow thinking, lagging behind other children in development, both physical and psychological, take him to the doctor. Most likely, the baby shows minimal brain dysfunction. It can occur due to injury to the spine or blood vessels near it at birth, as well as due to an organic disorder in the nervous system.

During the examination, the child is first given an MRI of the brain to determine whether there are symptoms of organic damage to the brain tissue, any underdevelopment, to identify the presence of congenital defects and foci of ischemia, which could have been suffered during childbirth. This method also reveals congenital variants of the body structure - the spine, skull, etc. There is no need to panic if the examination reveals any changes in the brain tissue - this may be due only to a violation of blood flow. Often, with stabilization and improvement of blood flow through the cerebral vessels, the nutrition of the damaged areas improves and, as a result, the general condition of the patient.

Complications and consequences

Minimal brain dysfunction in a child has many consequences. The list is presented below:

• Difficulties in mastering the school curriculum;
• Difficulty adapting to society;
• Problems with personality development – pessimism, lack of self-confidence, aggression;
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Adults may suffer from social maladjustment, which may result in mental illness, alcoholism, poor professional level, divorce, drug addiction, and constant job changes.

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Diagnostics minimal brain dysfunction

The best way to diagnose the body for the disease is with an osteopathic doctor who will determine the damaged areas, after which, using massage, he will improve the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, return the spine to its correct structure, putting all its vertebrae in place. After several such massage sessions, the child will feel much better. In addition, there will be no need to use medication. The number of sessions is determined by the doctor after the examination.

Diagnostics can be performed using ultrasound Dopplerography, encephalogram, neurosonography, vascular scanning, X-ray, ultrasound of the neck. The course of treatment is also performed using these devices.

The prognosis will not be positive if you do not start to fight the disease at the initial stage. Problems begin to manifest themselves already at 2-3 years old, and then signs of deviation arise. Minimal brain dysfunction makes the child uncontrollable. He can quickly get carried away by something, and just as quickly abandon the activity, becomes aggressive, cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions. Other manifestations: impulsive, abrupt movements, which are quite awkward; speech function develops with delays; the child often falls, gets injuries, bruises.

Tests

Doctors take blood from a sick child and use enzyme immunoassay to determine the percentage of glial neurotrophic substance in the serum. If this level exceeds 17.98 pg/L, the patient will be diagnosed with minimal brain dysfunction.

Dysfunction can also be diagnosed using clinical signs that distinguish it from another similar disease – cerebral palsy. Also, in some symptoms, it is similar to childhood mental illnesses, syndromes, the appearance of which occurs as a result of the development of somatic pathology or other diseases associated with the functioning of the brain. Since there are many different clinical symptoms of the manifestation of MDM syndrome, a correct diagnosis can only be made using special research methods: REG, CIT, CT and ultrasound of the brain, EEG.

Once the results of all examinations are received, they are combined with the test results, the data demonstrated by the clinical situation, as well as the anamnesis and the conclusions of such doctors as an orthopedist, ophthalmologist and psychiatrist. The complex of collected information will make it possible to make a correct diagnosis, establishing the nature of the disorder and its cause.

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Instrumental diagnostics

If there is a suspicion of possible trauma during childbirth or a state of hypoxia, a spondylography of the cervical vertebrae should be done. This will help determine the complexity of the disorder that has occurred. During the procedure, 4 X-rays are taken - from the side, straight ahead, with the head thrown back and tilted forward. It is very important to see the picture of the location of the vertebrae if the patient clearly shows signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia, salivation, syncopal symptoms.

Doppler ultrasound is a procedure that allows you to find out what state the blood flow in the head is in and how venous outflow from the brain occurs. During the examination, it is determined how the brain vessels react to holding the breath, turning the head, etc.

Minimal brain dysfunction also requires a sonographic examination of the brain - it reveals the state of the vessels, the size of the cerebral ventricles, studies the brain tissue, convolutions and grooves. Thanks to this study, it is possible to find out whether the patient has hemorrhages and hydrocephalus in the brain tissue, as well as to identify what caused the problems with the brain.

EEG clarifies the indicator of bioelectric brain activity, demonstrates changes occurring in the brain. An electroencephalogram is performed if there are any hints of a convulsive state.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics for this disease is performed in the presence of pathologies that manifest as secondary symptoms. These are the following manifestations: disorders in the functioning of the central nervous system and brain, head injuries, infectious diseases (for example, meningitis), lead vapor poisoning, cerebral hypoxia.

Methods of correction and treatment of the disease may differ in different countries, but most qualified specialists agree that minimal brain dysfunction requires a comprehensive approach. In this case, different methods are used, the combination of which is selected individually for each patient.

Among the methods there are neuropsychological and pedagogical correction, psychotherapeutic approach, methods of modification of behavioral reactions. If such therapy does not affect the course of the disease, drug treatment is used. Among the drugs used in the process of therapy, tranquilizers, antidepressants, psychostimulants, nootropic substances are used. During the research it was possible to establish that the most effective means in the fight against minimal brain dysfunction are considered to be amphetamines - Ritalin and amitriptyline (antidepressant).

Treatment minimal brain dysfunction

Treatment of the disease may be associated with some complications. Basically, minimal brain dysfunction is treated using the following methods:

Physical activity to improve the baby's agility and coordination.

Correction using pedagogical and psychological methods. It includes limiting time spent at the computer and in front of the TV, a detailed daily routine, positive communication with the child - more praise and encouragement.

Treatment with medications. Self-medication is prohibited, as medications may have side effects or contraindications. There are several groups of drugs that treat brain dysfunction: nootropics, CNS stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants. With the help of such therapy, the activity of higher brain mental functions and neurotransmitter work are improved.

Correction and treatment of the disease depend on what the main psychoneurological signs are and how they are expressed. If the child is overactive and impulsive, sedatives should be taken - medications containing calcium and bromine, herbal tinctures.

Minimal brain dysfunction can cause a child to lose concentration by the end of the school day or even a single lesson. Such children are advised to take medications that help increase nervous system activity, as well as vitamin B.

If MMD is combined with another disease - hydrocephalic syndrome, the child may begin to have headaches, problems with sleep, increased excitability, a slight increase in overall body temperature. To get rid of these symptoms, you should take drugs that reduce intracranial pressure. If seizures occur, take anticonvulsant drugs.

When the primary symptom of the disease is a slowdown in the development of motor skills and psyche, in addition to pedagogical correction, a course of treatment with stimulants should be taken, which will increase brain activity.

Medicines

Minimal brain dysfunction can be treated with medications that regulate the circulation of fluid in the brain, reduce the frequency of somatic manifestations of the disease, and increase the rate of maturation of higher functions in brain processes. Among the medications used are the following.

• Melleril, which is a gently acting neuroleptic that reduces the negative impact on the central nervous system and manifestations of hyperexcitability. It is taken for neuroses, severe irritability, neurasthenia. For neuroses, the dosage is three times a day 0.005-0.01-0.025 g of the drug; for mental illnesses, take 50-100 mg per day.

Side effects: long-term use reduces the white blood cell count; dry mouth, agranulocytosis, and extrapyramidal disorders may occur.

Contraindications: Do not take if you have allergies, non-inflammatory problems with the retina, or glaucoma.

• Trioxazine, which has a calming effect on the central nervous system. It is prescribed for neurotic diseases with the appearance of symptoms of fear, severe irritability, agitation, insomnia, rapid fatigue, weakness, apathy, general lethargy. Take 2-3 times daily at a dosage of 0.3 g.

Side effects: a large dose of the drug may cause nausea, general weakness, drowsiness. Dry mouth may also occur.

• Seduxen, which relaxes muscles, calms the central nervous system, and has an anticonvulsant effect. It can be prescribed in case of neuroses and neurotic diseases. For children aged 1-3 years, the daily dose is 2 mg; 3-7 years - 6 mg; from 7 years - 8-10 mg.
• Aminolone, prescribed for the treatment of birth injuries and head trauma, low mental activity and mental retardation. The medicine is taken before meals. Children 1-3 years old - 1 g / day, 4-6 years - 1.5 g / day, from 7 years - 2 g / day. The dose is divided into 2 doses.

Side effects: sometimes there may be a feeling of heat, dyspeptic symptoms, pressure surges, sleep problems, but they go away if the dosage is reduced.

Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity.

Vitamins

Any person, even a healthy one, should take vitamins. This strengthens the body and protects against various diseases.

The following vitamins can help reduce the symptoms of the disease with a diagnosis of minimal brain dysfunction:

• Vitamin B1. It normalizes sleep, relieves increased excitement. Contained in oatmeal made with whole milk, wheat bran, unpolished rice, sunflower seeds, legumes, pasta.
• Vitamin B6. Can normalize the nervous system. There is a lot of vitamin in milk, chicken and beef, fish, eggs, cabbage, potatoes baked in foil.
• Vitamin B5 helps you fall asleep easily, relieves irritability and nervousness. It is found in large quantities in beef (liver and kidneys), green vegetables, and fermented milk products. It should be noted that these products cannot be frozen or canned, as these processes cause the vitamin to leave them.
• Vitamin C is excellent at fighting stress, protecting the nervous system from it. It is very abundant in fruits, especially citrus fruits, and also in greens. It will also be useful for a child to eat tomato salads with the addition of leafy vegetables, tea made from mashed black currants, mashed potatoes, and cauliflower.

Physiotherapy treatment

Treatment using non-drug methods can perfectly complement this method of correction. In some cases, it can be performed without resorting to drugs.

When choosing treatment using physiotherapeutic methods, an individual set of correction methods is created. It is prescribed depending on the manifestation of disease symptoms, the nature of the disorder, and the presence of additional diseases. Often, such a course consists of several basic procedures - manual therapy aimed at restoring the spine, massage, differentiated kinesitherapy.

In the diagnosis of minimal brain dysfunction, massage is very effective. This procedure can promote the appearance of general and local reactions in the patient's body. It increases the number of working vessels, accelerating lymph flow and venous/capillary blood flow. Massage also accelerates metabolism and helps improve the body's immune function.

Various types of massage, differing in duration and strength of impact, allow you to influence the functioning of the central nervous system, increasing the rate of metabolic processes in tissues and increasing/decreasing its excitability.

Herbal treatment

Minimal brain dysfunction can be treated with some herbal preparations. Most herbal preparations are made according to the same principle:

Approximately 20 g of dry crushed raw materials (these can be leaves, roots, shoots, flowers of grass) are poured with 100 ml of alcohol. The time for infusing the solution depends on the alcohol concentration. If the base is vodka, it should be kept for about 15-20 days, and if the alcohol is 60-70%, 2 weeks will be enough. In some cases, the infusing period should be extended - this depends on the type of raw material. The solution is stored in a tightly closed container of dark glass. When the liquid is infused, it should be strained or filtered.

Tincture made from motherwort helps well with neuroses and poor sleep. It should be taken 3-4 times daily for a month before meals. Dosage: 30 drops.

Tincture of peony, which is taken for problems with the vegetative-vascular system and insomnia. The course continues for a month, 30-40 drops/day.

Valerian copes well with strong nerves, improves the process of falling asleep. You need to drink 20-30 drops daily before meals (3-4 times a day).

A balm made from a herbal infusion is used in cases of insomnia - tampons soaked in the tincture are applied to the back of the head and temples. It is prepared as follows - peppermint, coriander and lemon balm leaves are taken and poured with a 60-80% alcohol solution in a proportion of 30 g / 100 ml. The resulting mixture should be infused for about 7-10 days.

Homeopathy, surgical, folk treatment of minimal brain dysfunction

In case of diagnosis of minimal brain dysfunction, homeopathic methods, folk remedies and mixtures do not have a positive effect on the body. Surgical intervention is also not performed.

Prevention

Preventive methods should be implemented at an early age to prevent the formation of a pathological stereotype. A child who has symptoms of neurological disorders should be registered with a dispensary and regularly examined by a neurologist and other doctors (psychologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist). This will allow identifying clinical signs of minimal brain dysfunction and prescribing treatment before starting school.

Minimal brain dysfunction has great social significance, therefore this problem requires the creation of a set of measures that will prevent prenatal and perinatal pathologies of the nervous system. Even schoolchildren with compensated cases of the disease need to be monitored in order to promptly prevent possible deviations that in the future may cause antisocial behavior.

In addition, treatment also depends on the attitude towards the child. It should be consistent and balanced. Relatives of the patient should understand that his behavior does not depend on his desires, and his actions are often unintentional. Such a child cannot cope with difficulties, since these are his personal characteristics, and not because of whims and unwillingness.

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Forecast

The prognosis for the course of the disease is generally positive. There are several options for the development of the situation:

1. Signs of the disease disappear as the child gets older. Most studies show that approximately 25-50% of children with MMD outgrow the disease as they age.
2. Some symptoms of varying severity still remain, but the disease does not progress. This group is the largest – about half of all patients with MMD. They have some problems in their daily lives. They have impulsiveness, a feeling of impatience, social inadequacy, low self-esteem. Such people often get divorced, change jobs, and often have accidents.
3. In adults, complications begin, which manifest themselves in the form of antisocial and personality changes - mental problems may arise, problems with alcohol are often observed.

The best prognosis for a diagnosis of minimal brain dysfunction is for children with a high IQ and who have received a patient and kind attitude both at school and at home. If the IQ is average or lower, hyperactivity may increase in adolescence. When entering into conflict with the environment, aggressiveness may be revealed.

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Disability

The diagnosis of minimal brain dysfunction is often revealed only during a medical examination before entering school or even in the 1st grade. The child begins to study, the nervous system is under great strain, as a result of which the signs of the disease begin to manifest themselves very clearly. Symptoms can be different - while reading well, the student will write very sloppily and illegibly, or, on the contrary, with good handwriting, he will be able to read only by syllables. There may also be problems with attention, memorization, and oral counting. In some, the disease manifests itself in the fact that the child confuses where is up, where is down, where is right, where is left. All such deviations begin to manifest themselves only during preparation for school or the beginning of the training itself. But with due attention, parents will be able to identify the presence of a problem at a very early stage.

It should be noted that sick children are not inferior to others in terms of intelligence, on the contrary, they may even be much more talented. It is simply more difficult for them to learn and they need a special attitude and approach. Accusations of inattention and laziness will not help here, you need to act patiently and with understanding.

With such a diagnosis, disability is not assigned.

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