Cerebral Biopsy in the Investigation of Presenile Dementia

Abstract

In most instances presenile dementia is based on well-defined organic diseases and it is not necessary to resort to cerebral biopsy to establish a diagnosis. These organic disorders cover a wide spectrum and include cerebro-vascular disease, tumours, trauma and well-defined degenerative states such as Huntington's chorea, vitamin deficiencies, endocrine disturbances, infections (bacterial and viral) and poisons such as alcohol, lead, barbiturates, bromides and carbon monoxide. The effects of liver and kidney failure as well as the hypercapnia of pulmonary insufficiency account for others.