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Glite Dictionary
acute brain disorder

acute brain disorder

7.3
A sudden short-term brain problem that makes a person confused and often follows illness, injury, or medicine use
  • noun
  • /əˈkjut breɪn dɪsˈɔrdər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trastorno cerebral agudo
  • Delirium is a common type of acute brain disorder in hospitalized elderly patients.

Examples

  • She was diagnosed with an acute brain disorder after the accident.

  • Delirium is a common type of acute brain disorder that often causes confusion in elderly patients.

  • Many acute brain disorders can improve with prompt treatment of the underlying cause.

  • The sudden onset of confusion led doctors to suspect an acute brain disorder.

  • The patient suffered from acute brain disorders due to drug use.

  • The sudden onset of confusion was a clear sign of an acute brain disorder requiring immediate attention.

  • After a thorough examination, the doctor concluded that she was experiencing an acute brain disorder caused by a recent infection.

Synonyms

acute organic brain syndrome
vsacute brain disorder
  • Specialized
6.9

Temporary state of confusion and disorientation caused by short-term brain damage from infection, injury or drugs

is sudden disturbance of brain function often caused by injury drugs or infection

Surface Forms

acute brain disorder singular
acute brain disorders plural

Morphology

acute + brain + disorder

All three constituents combine compositionally: 'acute' (sudden/severe) modifies 'brain' (the organ) and 'disorder' (a medical condition), so the phrase denotes a sudden problem affecting the brain. This adjective + noun + noun pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The medical term acute brain disorder uses acute to mean 'sudden and sharp', like a quick pain, and brain disorder to mean a problem in the brain. Imagine the brain suddenly not working right and causing confusion; that's why it means a sudden brain problem that often gets better with treatment.