encephalopathy

noun

en·​ceph·​a·​lop·​a·​thy in-ˌse-fə-ˈlä-pə-thē How to pronounce encephalopathy (audio)
plural encephalopathies
: a disease of the brain
especially : one involving alterations of brain structure
encephalopathic adjective

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of encephalopathy was in 1866

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.

Medical Definition

encephalopathy

noun
en·​ceph·​a·​lop·​a·​thy in-ˌsef-ə-ˈläp-ə-thē How to pronounce encephalopathy (audio)
plural encephalopathies
: a disease of the brain
especially : one involving alterations of brain structure
encephalopathic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on encephalopathy

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