encephalopathy

American  

[en-sef-uh-lop-uh-thee] / ɛnˌsɛf əˈlɒp ə θi /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. any brain disease.

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encephalopathy British  

/ ɛnˌsɛfəˈlɒpəθɪ /

noun

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

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encephalopathy Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of encephalopathy

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

Example Sentences

But in the mid-1990s, after a yearslong review of the evidence, HHS removed seizure disorder from the injury table and narrowed the type of encephalopathy that would automatically qualify for compensation.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2025

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

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2024

He said the family has hired Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who is credited for discovering the link between football and the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2024

Boogaard and Probert were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that researchers have linked to concussions or repeated blows to the head.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

His brain was sent to a Veterans Affairs laboratory in Boston that is known for its pioneering work documenting chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E., in athletes.

From New York Times • Mar. 6, 2024