encephalopathy

[ en-sef-uh-lop-uh-thee ]

noun

Psychiatry.

1. any brain disease.

encephalopathy

/ ɛnˌsɛfəˈlɒpəθɪ /

noun

1. any degenerative disease of the brain, often associated with toxic conditions See also BSE

encephalopathy

/ ĕn-sĕf′ə-lŏp′ə-thē /

1. Degeneration of brain function, caused by any of various acquired disorders, including metabolic disease, organ failure, inflammation, and chronic infection.

Word History and Origins

Origin of encephalopathy¹

First recorded in 1865–70; encephalo- + -pathy

Example Sentences

Almost two-thirds of the claimants in a concussion lawsuit against rugby league authorities showed symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to documents seen by the BBC.

From BBC

Repeated head blows can cause something called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which gets worse over time and can lead to dementia.

From BBC

The infections may cause upper respiratory tract infections that can be fatal, as well as conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis and encephalopathy, the WHO says.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Zucker had suffered numerous health problems since being injured in a car crash in 2022, including, near the end of his life, metabolic encephalopathy and three underlying infections.

From New York Times

Also known as “zombie deer disease,” chronic wasting disease is a contagious infection similar to mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

From Los Angeles Times