What causes brain diseases?

What causes brain diseases?

Some common causes and risk factors of brain disease are:

• Environmental toxins and radiation: Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation may increase the risk of some brain diseases, such as brain tumors.
• Genetics: Certain genes and genetic mutations can cause or increase the risk of many brain diseases. Researchers have identified genes or specific mutations involved in brain tumors, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses. Disease-causing genes may run in families or occur spontaneously.
• Immune system function: Autoimmune brain diseases happen when your immune system attacks other cells in your body.
• Infections: Bacteria, viruses and other organisms cause brain diseases such as meningitis.
• Injuries: Accidents and injuries cause most traumatic brain injuries. An injury to your brain can also increase your risk for other brain diseases, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Unhealthy lifestyle choices: Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol use are linked to stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Healthcare providers aren’t sure why some types of brain diseases happen. For example, about 60% of epilepsy cases have no known cause (idiopathic). Researchers are actively investigating diseases of the brain to better understand their causes and how to treat them.