encephalopathy
noun
en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy
in-ˌse-fə-ˈlä-pə-thē 
plural encephalopathies
: a disease of the brain
especially
: one involving alterations of brain structure
Examples of encephalopathy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But after Dunk was revived and a CT scan showed no brain injury, doctors—who initially cited stress as the cause—diagnosed Ayli with toxic encephalopathy, caused by medication.
—
Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Malnutrition and deficiency in the B vitamin thiamin can lead to a brain disorder called Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which can result in miscarriage, brain damage and death.
—Alice Callahan, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2023
The heavy and prolonged use of alcohol — which can harm the liver, causing liver disease — may also give rise to a critical brain disorder called hepatic encephalopathy.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2023
During hepatic encephalopathy, the liver fails to break down alcohol, letting excess amounts of manganese and ammonia enter the brain.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2023
In a case study published in Radiology, doctors in Detroit reported brain scan abnormalities indicative of a rare encephalopathy linked to cytokine storms in an airline worker in her mid-50s who tested positive for the virus.
—Greg Miller, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2020
The frightening incident has since been met with calls for the NFL to re-examine its concussion protocols, especially given what's known about CTE — or Chronic traumatic encephalopathy — and brain trauma in football players.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 7 Oct. 2022
The most common neurological conditions reported were seizures, either with or without fever and encephalopathy - an umbrella term for brain damage.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022
He was diagnosed eight years ago with cardiomyopathy and has suffered medical setbacks including heart failure and acute Wernicke's encephalopathy, which impacts motor functions such as his speech and memory.
—Jolie Lash, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2021
See More
Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Malnutrition and deficiency in the B vitamin thiamin can lead to a brain disorder called Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which can result in miscarriage, brain damage and death.
—Alice Callahan, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2023
The heavy and prolonged use of alcohol — which can harm the liver, causing liver disease — may also give rise to a critical brain disorder called hepatic encephalopathy.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2023
During hepatic encephalopathy, the liver fails to break down alcohol, letting excess amounts of manganese and ammonia enter the brain.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2023
In a case study published in Radiology, doctors in Detroit reported brain scan abnormalities indicative of a rare encephalopathy linked to cytokine storms in an airline worker in her mid-50s who tested positive for the virus.
—Greg Miller, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2020
The frightening incident has since been met with calls for the NFL to re-examine its concussion protocols, especially given what's known about CTE — or Chronic traumatic encephalopathy — and brain trauma in football players.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 7 Oct. 2022
The most common neurological conditions reported were seizures, either with or without fever and encephalopathy - an umbrella term for brain damage.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022
He was diagnosed eight years ago with cardiomyopathy and has suffered medical setbacks including heart failure and acute Wernicke's encephalopathy, which impacts motor functions such as his speech and memory.
—Jolie Lash, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encephalopathy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1866, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing encephalopathy
Dictionary Entries Near encephalopathy
Cite this Entry
“Encephalopathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encephalopathy. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Medical Definition
encephalopathy
noun
en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈläp-ə-thē
plural encephalopathies
: a disease of the brain
especially
: one involving alterations of brain structure
More from Merriam-Webster on encephalopathy
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about encephalopathy
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