Alternative Names
OBS; Organic mental disorder (OMS); Chronic organic brain syndrome
Definition of Organic brain syndrome:
Organic brain syndrome (OBS) is a general term that refers to diseases (usually not psychiatric disorders) that cause decreased mental function.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
OBS is common in the elderly. It is not a part of the normal aging process, however.
OBS is not a separate disease, but is a general term used to describe physical conditions that can cause mental changes.
Disorders associated with OBS include:
- Brain injury caused by trauma
- Breathing conditions
- Low oxygen in the body (hypoxia)
- High carbon dioxide levels in the body (hypercapnia)
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Degenerative disorders
- Dementia due to metabolic causes
- Drug and alcohol-related conditions
- Infections
- Any sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection
- Blood poisoning (septicemia)
- Swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
- Swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Other medical disorders
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease (high or low)
- Vitamin deficiency (B12 and others)
Other conditions that may be related to organic brain syndrome include:
