Psycho-organic syndrome

Some symptoms and pathologies that lead to organic disorders in the brain are usually combined into one term - psychoorganic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by a triad of signs: deterioration of intellectual abilities, weakening of memory, emotional instability (lability). In addition to these characteristic symptoms, others may appear, depending on the area of the brain lesion.

The syndrome most often manifests itself in the elderly, but can also manifest itself in young people and even in childhood.

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Causes psycho-organic syndrome

Among the causes of psychoorganic syndrome, the following conditions should be particularly highlighted:

• cerebrovascular diseases;
• CNS diseases;
• head injuries;
• metabolic disorders, especially chronic ones;
• low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia);
• poisoning, including chronic poisoning (for example, chronic alcohol intoxication);
• infectious diseases;
• inflammatory and tumor processes of the brain.

The pathogenesis of psychoorganic syndrome, as a mental disorder, usually consists of a number of factors:

• direct impact of toxic substances and their decay products on nerve cells;
• a deficiency in the body of certain substances without which the normal course of processes in the nervous system is impossible;
• disorder of nitrogen metabolism in the body;
• malfunction of the antioxidant system;
• deactivation of acetylcholine and monoamines;
• failure of GABAergic systems.

Persistent psychoorganic syndrome is observed in people who abuse alcohol for a long time. Chronic intoxication and lack of B vitamins lead to malfunctions of the Krebs cycle, deterioration of glucose absorption, accumulation of glutamate in neurons. The listed metabolic changes, in turn, provoke the occurrence of sleep problems, seizures, psychotic disorders.

Over time, neurotransmitter mechanisms become depleted and persistent cognitive impairment occurs.

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Symptoms psycho-organic syndrome

As we have already described above, the first signs of psychoorganic syndrome are defined by three characteristic manifestations:

• deterioration in the perception of new information, loss of ability to remember;
• deterioration of mental judgment and perception;
• emotional lability, unreasonable mood swings.

Sometimes the listed symptoms are supplemented by frequent and prolonged depressions, hallucinations, periodic delusional states. Periods of epileptic seizures and psychoses may be observed.

Depending on the stage of the psychoorganic syndrome, a distinction is made between mild, moderate and severe damage to the nervous system. The most severe stage threatens the development of organic dementia, which is characterized, in addition to problems with memory and mood, by prolonged clouding of consciousness in the form of stunning.

The late stages of the disease are considered particularly severe: there is suppression or dysfunction of the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex, and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow in certain areas of the brain is impaired.

Psychoorganic syndrome after stroke

Manifestations of post-stroke psychoorganic syndrome always occur acutely, immediately after brain damage. A slow increase in symptoms is excluded.

• Self-criticism decreases, evaluation of others worsens. The sense of tact disappears, interests and communication are limited, thoughts become one-sided. Speech becomes poor, banal, sometimes abstract.
• Memorization of current events and facts deteriorates.
• The patient's mood is usually low or indifferent. It often changes, sometimes abruptly, suddenly. Tearfulness, touchiness, depression are observed, followed by euphoria, silliness, which is accompanied by certain facial expressions.

Psychoorganic syndrome in children

In early childhood, psychoorganic syndrome manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• excessive excitability of the nervous system;
• frequent regurgitation, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• allergic reactions to products considered hypoallergenic;
• sleep-wake cycle disorder;
• poor appetite;
• excessive sensitivity to sounds, light effects, etc.;
• external anxiety;
• frequent whims, mood swings.

From about the age of 5, a child with psychoorganic syndrome begins to experience predominantly motor activity and emotional disorders. The following signs should be noted:

• affective states without any reason;
• a sharp reaction to any environmental irritants;
• maintaining distance when communicating with others, and even with family members;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• impaired concentration;
• insufficient development of motor skills.

With age, as the child grows up, the vegetative manifestations of the syndrome are gradually replaced by other symptoms. In particular, a lack of self-criticism and excessive irritability towards others are noticeable.

Forms

• The asthenic variant is characterized by pronounced changes in intellectual and memory processes. The first sign is emotional incontinence, which is hard to miss. Due to emotional instability, it becomes difficult for the patient to navigate situations, he is constantly agitated and anxious. This condition can cause headaches and even orientation disorders.

Patients with asthenic manifestations of psychoorganic syndrome react inadequately to flashes of light, flickering, and fluctuations in visual images: all of this causes nausea, headaches, and a general feeling of mental discomfort. Similar sensations are observed if the patient gets into a stuffy, and especially closed room, with a large number of people. Therefore, patients with asthenic psychoorganic syndrome are often unsociable and prefer to spend time alone.

• The explosive variant is accompanied by a clear decrease in intelligence. The patient has difficulty performing any work or carrying out any activity, it is difficult for him to switch his attention, as a result of which he becomes angry, irritable and withdrawn. Attacks of unjustifiably aggressive behavior are observed, which significantly complicates the patient's presence in society.
• Moderate psychoorganic syndrome manifests itself in the patient's difficulty in performing mental activity. However, even such incompetence is defined as the initial stage of dementia. The patient experiences sharp and unreasonable mood swings, mainly in the euphoric direction. However, periods of anger may also be observed, alternating with excessive sensitivity and tearfulness. This course of psychoorganic syndrome is also called euphoric.
• The pronounced psychoorganic syndrome attracts attention by the absolute absence of the patient's motivation for motor, mental, speech activity and other types of activity. The patient is usually apathetic, avoids communication, finds it difficult to switch topics of conversation, show interest in anything. Additionally, the presence of restless suspiciousness and an increasing decline in mental abilities is not excluded.

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Complications and consequences

As the psychoorganic syndrome progresses, misunderstanding from those around him increases, and the ability to adapt normally in society is lost. Close people also do not always understand and support the patient, sometimes giving up in response to his unflattering attitude.

Progressive dementia sometimes leads to a person losing the ability to take care of themselves. Neurological disorders join in, up to the development of a comatose state.

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Diagnostics psycho-organic syndrome

The complex of diagnostic measures for psychoorganic syndrome consists of the following types of research:

• Examination of the patient, questioning, assessment of complaints, both from the patient and his environment.
• Tests: general blood and urine analysis, determination of ALT and AST, blood bilirubin.
• Instrumental diagnostics: computed tomography of the brain, X-ray examination of the skull, Dopplerography, electroencephalography.

Additionally, a consultation with a neurologist and therapist is prescribed.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is most often carried out with schizophrenia.

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Treatment psycho-organic syndrome

Treatment is prescribed taking into account the provoking factor: for example, if the cause of psychoorganic disorders was alcohol intoxication, then detoxification therapy is carried out, and in case of a syndrome caused by a stroke, post-stroke rehabilitation of the patient is carried out.

Medicines that can be used in the treatment regimen for psychoorganic syndrome:

• nootropic drugs (piracetam, phenotropil, pyritinol, meclofenoxate, semax, cerebrolysin);
• neurotrophics, correctors of cerebral circulatory disorders (nicergoline, vincamine, xanthinol, vinpocetine);
• cerebroprotectors, neuroprotectors (cortexin, citicoline, glycine, emoxipin, gliatilin);
• vitamins (vitamin E – tocopherol, vitamin C – ascorbic acid, B vitamins, nicotinic acid).

Phenotropil
Dosage and method of administration	The average dosage is 150 mg twice a day. Duration of treatment is from 14 days to 3 months.
Side effects	Sleep disorders, headaches, allergies, high blood pressure.
Special instructions	The drug is not suitable for treating children.

Semax
Dosage and method of administration	The daily dose of the drug is 800-8000 mcg. It is prescribed strictly individually.
Side effects	Itching and burning of the nasal mucosa.
Special instructions	Do not use to treat children under 7 years of age.

Vincamine
Dosage and method of administration	The standard dose is 10 to 40 mg three times a day for a month.
Side effects	Decreased blood pressure, allergic reactions.
Special instructions	The drug should not be used for direct intravenous injection.

Xanthinol
Dosage and method of administration	For psychoorganic syndrome, take 150 to 600 mg orally three times a day after meals.
Side effects	Decreased blood pressure, hyperemia and feeling of heat in the body, dyspepsia, dizziness, feeling of weakness.
Special instructions	Not prescribed to patients with impaired renal function.

Cortexin
Dosage and method of administration	It is used in the form of intramuscular injections, 10 mg daily for 10 days.
Side effects	Allergy, redness and swelling at the injection site.
Special instructions	The drug is suitable for treating children. The dosage of Cortexin is determined by the doctor individually.

Glycine
Dosage and method of administration	Take under the tongue until completely dissolved, 100 mg up to 3 times a day for 2-4 weeks.
Side effects	In rare cases, allergies are possible.
Special instructions	The drug is especially effective in treating brain disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, stroke and alcohol intoxication.

Nicotinic acid
Dosage and method of administration	Take 10 mg up to 2 times a day for 2 weeks.
Side effects	Redness of the upper body, feeling of heat, headache, allergic reactions.
Special instructions	Should not be used in cases of hepatitis or liver cirrhosis.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic treatment for psychoorganic syndrome allows for positive changes in the function of the central nervous system, strengthening the immune defense and activating the body's adaptation processes. If there are no contraindications to physiotherapy (tumor processes, hematopoietic diseases, bleeding, tuberculosis, decompensation of cardiac or respiratory function, fever, acute infections), then a number of procedures can be used to strengthen blood vessels, improve blood supply to the brain, and eliminate some pathological symptoms of the disease.

For patients in adequate condition, electrophoresis with vasodilators, relaxing baths with pine needles and sea water, and magnetic therapy are prescribed.

If the goal of physiotherapy is to reduce muscle tone (for example, during cramps or obsessive movements), then paraffin or ozokerite applications, acupuncture, and manual therapy can help.

In the presence of pain, diadynamics (pulse currents), ultrasound, and thermal stimulation have a good effect.

In case of dysfunction of the limbs, massage and electrical stimulation procedures are used.

If the psychoorganic syndrome is a consequence of an acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke), then physiotherapy is prescribed only a month after the acute period.

Treatment with homeopathy

Homeopathy offers the use of complex remedies that have proven themselves well in the area of restoring the body after cerebral ischemia, toxic effects on the brain and other organic lesions of the nervous system.

In case of psychoorganic syndrome, it is recommended to use proven homeopathic remedies of the Heel brand:

• Ubiquinone compositum is a detoxifying, antioxidant, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and metabolic herbal injection. Practice 1 injection 1-2 times a week. The drug has virtually no side effects, only in rare cases is there a painful sensation in the injection area.
• Coenzyme compositum is a homeopathic remedy that normalizes metabolic processes in tissues, including brain tissue. The drug is prescribed 1 ampoule 1 to 3 times a week for 14-60 days. Side effects - allergy.
• Cerebrum compositum is a complex homeopathic remedy for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system of functional and organic etiology. The drug is used in the form of intramuscular injections 1-3 times a week. The duration of therapy is up to one and a half months. Side effects are rare and can be expressed as redness and soreness at the injection site.
• Vertigoheel is a homeopathic remedy with a psychotonic, vasodilatory and oligodynamic effect. The drug is used by injection, 1 ampoule up to 3 times a week, or as an oral solution, 10 drops 2-3 times a day, half an hour before meals. No side effects were observed.
• Nervohel is a homeopathic preparation of combined plant and animal composition. It has an antidepressant, sedative and anticonvulsant effect on the body. Take 1 tablet under the tongue three times a day. Allergy to the drug may be observed very rarely.

With the help of homeopathy, it is often possible to cope with two important factors that occur in psychoorganic syndrome - ischemia and hypoxia. As a result, it is possible to achieve a period of remission and an improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine does not replace conventional drug therapy, but effectively complements it. Of course, herbal treatment is a long process, but sometimes patience and regular intake of herbal remedies truly work wonders.

• It is recommended to drink fresh carrot juice daily or eat carrots. This helps to strengthen the vascular walls, prevents spasms, which serves as a good prevention of ischemia.
• Peppermint infusion, combined with chamomile and valerian, will help to normalize the nervous system, eliminate irritability and depression. Usually brew 1 tbsp. of herbal mixture in 0.5 l of boiling water. Take 200-250 ml up to 4 times a day.
• An infusion of hawthorn berries will also help restore blood supply to brain structures. To prepare the medicine, pour 200 g of dried berries with ½ l of boiling water (preferably in a thermos). Take the infusion throughout the day in large sips.
• A good and simple recipe for improving blood circulation in the brain is tea based on viburnum and sea buckthorn berries. The proportions are arbitrary, since the ingredients are added "to taste". Additionally, you can add honey or berry jam.

Herbal treatment is effectively carried out using herbal mixtures, the components of which mutually enhance the therapeutic effect:

• Brew 3 tbsp. of an equal mixture of thyme, mint and motherwort in 0.5 l of boiling water. After a few hours, filter the infusion and drink 100-150 ml twice a day after breakfast and dinner.
• Brew a mixture of dry birch leaves and the herb forest stachys, leave for 3 hours. Take 1 tbsp. twice a day after meals. Duration of intake is 2 weeks.
• Prepare an equal collection of lemon balm, oregano, wild carrot seeds, lily of the valley and hawthorn flowers. Brew 2 tbsp of the mixture in 0.5 l of boiling water, leave under the lid for 4 hours, filter and drink throughout the day.

A mixture of dried hawthorn berries and lemon balm helps with mood swings. The ingredients are brewed in a thermos overnight and drunk at least 5 times a day.

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Prevention

Prevention of the progression of psychoorganic syndrome is carried out at the first signs of pathology. Maintenance courses of therapy are prescribed, which are given to the patient several times a year, both in hospital and at home. Particular attention is paid to the use of nootropic drugs and vitamin therapy.

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Forecast

The prognosis of the disease depends on its initial cause. In the vast majority of cases, the patient loses contact with society, loses the ability to self-care and becomes completely dependent on their loved ones.

Medical examination often establishes a permanent loss of ability to work, the inability to engage in both physical and intellectual activities.

Unfortunately, there is no data on the cure of patients diagnosed with psychoorganic syndrome. However, science and pharmaceuticals are constantly looking for new ways and methods to combat diseases, so we can only hope that a medicine for the specific treatment of the disease will be found soon.