http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/stroke/ Latest medical research on stroke risk and treatments. Read about the symptoms of mini-strokes, stroke rehabilitation and recovery. en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:05:01 EST Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/stroke/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091122161821.htm Scientists have uncovered new information about the mechanism by which brain cells die following a stroke, as well as a possible way to mitigate that damage. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091122161821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161118.htm Until recently, scientists believed that, following a stroke, a patient had about six months to regain any lost function. After that, patients would be forced to compensate for the lost function by focusing on their remaining abilities. Although this belief has been refuted, an occupational therapy professor believes that the current health system is still not giving patients enough time to recover. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161118.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116205246.htm New data in humans shows that all doses of aspirin used in clinical practice increase nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is released from the blood vessel wall and may decrease the development and progression of plaques leading to heart attacks and strokes. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116205246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163204.htm Patients with coronary heart disease who practiced the stress-reducing transcendental meditation technique had nearly 50 percent lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to nonmeditating controls, according to the results of a first-ever study. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163204.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094455.htm Pooling results from 21 studies, involving 622,381 men and women, researchers have affirmed that migraine headaches are associated with more than twofold higher chances of the most common kind of stroke: those occurring when blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off by the buildup of plaque or a blood clot. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094455.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085038.htm Researchers found that patients with very low levels of Vitamin D were 77 percent more likely to die, 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease, and 78 percent were more likely to have a stroke than patients with normal levels. Patients with very low levels of Vitamin D were also twice as likely to develop heart failure than those with normal Vitamin D levels. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116114534.htm The incidence of stroke or mini-stroke related to a coronary angioplasty remained steady over a 15-year period, according to a new study. Researchers say this is good news because physicians now are performing the artery-opening procedure on older patients who are sicker and need more complicated treatment. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116114534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173712.htm Cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to a new report. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121626.htm Perceived poor managerial leadership increases not only the amount of sick leave taken at a workplace, but also the risk of sickness amongst employees later on in life. The longer a person has had a "poorer" manager, the higher his or her risk of for example suffering a heart attack within a ten-year period, according to new research. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110210509.htm Depression occurs in as many as one-third of patients after a stroke, and women are at somewhat higher risk, according to a large new review of studies. Post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110210509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171715.htm A new study shows that a long period of estrogen deprivation can lead to loss of sensitivity and protective effects in the brain and weaken areas normally resistant to stroke damage. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210331.htm New research, using an existing and inexpensive drug could help thousands of stroke patients to recover their mobility at a faster rate. Medical researchers are investigating whether L-Dopa (commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease) could help in this new context. There is existing evidence to show that certain nerve pathways in the brain are important in learning movement skills. The drug works by enhancing the activity of these pathways and if taken at the same time as conventional physiotherapy, could increase the effect of current treatment. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121856.htm Suffering a stroke can lead to significant changes in how couples relate to each other on both a physical and emotional level, according to new University of Ulster research. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164100.htm Unstable carotid artery plaques -- those in danger of rupturing and leading to a stroke -- contain more inflammation and significantly less omega-3 fatty acids than asymptomatic plaques, according to new research. This suggests that increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in carotid artery plaques could either prevent strokes or improve the safety of treatment. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090654.htm Migraine with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke, finds a new study. Further risk factors for stroke among patients with migraine are being a woman, being young, being a smoker and using estrogen-containing contraceptives. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152820.htm Birth control pills nearly double the risk of stroke, according to a new review article. For women who take the Pill and also smoke, have high blood pressure or have a history of migraine headaches, the stroke risk is even higher. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172055.htm Glutamate is to the brain like coffee is to our bodies. A cup of Joe in the morning can wake us, but overloading on caffeine causes the stimulant to work against us. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172333.htm Scientists have countered findings of previous clinical trials by showing that giving supplemental oxygen to animals during a stroke can reduce damage to brain tissue surrounding the clot. The timing of the delivery of 100 percent oxygen -- either by mask or in a hyperbaric chamber -- is critical to achieving the benefit, however. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172101.htm People with high levels of a protein called C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation in the blood, may be at higher risk for heart attack and death but not stroke, according to a new study. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095202.htm Diabetes increases by 26 percent the likelihood that women will develop atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous irregular heart rhythm that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and chronic fatigue. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095202.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010120051.htm A large study found strong evidence that older people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), although not for stroke. This result adds to mounting evidence that AMD and cardiovascular disease may share some risk factors--smoking, high blood pressure, inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein, genetic variants such as complement factor H--and disease mechanisms. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010120051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101157.htm The world's largest quality of life study of chronic angina patients has revealed that almost one in three experience frequent chest pain, which affects their daily life. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929203024.htm The consumption of fish has no major role in the prevention of heart failure, according to results from a large prospective population study. The study, which was started in 1990 and involved all men and women over the age of 55 living in a suburb of Rotterdam, found no difference in the risk of developing heart failure between those who did eat fish and those who didn't. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929203024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm Stroke rehabilitation technology which patients can operate in their own homes while playing computer games, is being developed by academics in the UK. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161856.htm Adults who develop shingles are about 30 percent more likely to have a stroke within a year than adults who don't have shingles. When the shingles infection involves the skin around the eye and the eye itself, the risk of stroke may increase more than four-fold. Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093345.htm How far you can reach beyond your toes from a sitting position -- normally used to define the flexibility of the body -- may be an indicator of how stiff your arteries are. Because arterial stiffness often precedes cardiovascular disease, the results suggest that this could become a quick measure of a person's risk for heart attack or stroke. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005210006.htm The antibiotic minocycline may revolutionize the treatment of strokes. A new study describes the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the drug in animal models. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005210006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001101502.htm Many patients urgently admitted to hospital with cerebral infarction state that they were under great stress over a prolonged period prior to suffering their stroke, is shown in a unique patient study. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001101502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172342.htm One out of every eight strokes is preceded by a "warning stroke," which is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke, according to new research. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172342.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917161733.htm Stroke in infants and children may be two to four times more common than previously reported. Most studies rely on diagnostic codes for billing data to assess stroke rates, but this study also considered records of head imaging -- which revealed additional strokes. Researchers say stroke in children is still rare and parents need not be alarmed. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917161733.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153117.htm In a small "proof of principle" study, stroke researchers have found that a simple, one-minute eye movement exam performed at the bedside worked better than an MRI to distinguish new strokes from other less serious disorders in patients complaining of dizziness, nausea and spinning sensations. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153117.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082554.htm There has been much debate about the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep. Three new studies explore GERD's effect on sleep quality and the health-care system as well as how a widely prescribed sleeping pill may mask the disease. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135013.htm A Japanese research group has found that after a cerebral stroke in one side of a mouse brain, another side of the brain rewires its neural circuits to recuperate from damaged neural function. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170715.htm Depressed stroke patients who received medication and psychosocial therapy improved significantly in the short term and a year later, compared to those receiving medication alone. The psychosocial therapy focused on depression education, problem-solving and increasing pleasant experiences. Depression is common after stroke and can impede recovery. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180739.htm Measuring blood flow in the ankle may identify stroke survivors at risk of subsequent events. This test, the ankle brachial index, compares blood flow in the ankle to blood flow in the arm to detect poor circulation caused by fatty plaque buildup in the lower body, a condition known as peripheral artery disease. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180732.htm The blood thinner warfarin can prevent strokes in most individuals with abnormal heart rhythms, but the drug may have the opposite effect in kidney disease patients on dialysis, according to a new study. The results suggest that warfarin should be prescribed with caution in patients with kidney failure. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180811.htm Healthy middle-aged women with feelings of hopelessness appear to experience thickening of the neck arteries, which can be a precursor to stroke, according to new research. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073254.htm A new study may have uncovered the reason why beta-blockers are less effective at preventing stroke in older people with high blood pressure, when compared to other drugs for high blood pressure. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825081119.htm Researchers in Finland have identified an effective new treatment option using stent-assisted coil embolization on patients who have suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening event, according to a new study. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825081119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824182430.htm High blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people over 45, according to new research. The study found that people with high diastolic blood pressure, which is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading, were more likely to have cognitive impairment, or problems with their memory and thinking skills, than people with normal diastolic readings. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824182430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115807.htm "Thick" blood can cause heart attack and stroke, but also prevent them. Scientists have explained the mechanism of this clinical paradox for the first time on an animal model. Mice with a greater tendency to form blood clots have larger plaques in their vessels, but they are more stable. Thus, there is less risk that these plaques will rupture and obstruct circulation. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115807.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825112832.htm Minorities have poorer results and higher rates of unnecessary surgery from a common procedure used to remove plaque from inside the carotid artery, according to a new study. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825112832.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807165836.htm Medical researchers have completed a pilot study using transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound to treat 10 patients with neuropathic pain. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807165836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817184547.htm A preliminary study suggests that a negative, inhibited personality type (type D personality) appears to predict an increased risk of death over four years among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to a new report. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817184547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142455.htm Possible neurological complications of heart surgery, ranging from headaches to strokes, are detailed in a new report. For example, complications from bypass surgery can include vision problems, paralysis, hoarseness, movement disorders and disturbances in learning, memory, attention, concentration and mental agility. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142455.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161856.htm Areas of brain damage seen on brain scans and originally thought to be related to stroke may help doctors predict a person's risk of memory problems in old age, according to new research. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170713.htm Stroke survivors have about twice the risk of breaking a hip or thigh bone as people who haven't had a stroke. Risk of hip/femur fracture is even higher in younger patients, women and within three months of a stroke. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170713.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803132750.htm Brain scientists and cardiac surgeons have evidence from 227 heart bypass surgery patients that long-term memory losses and cognitive problems they experience are due to the underlying coronary artery disease itself and not ill after-effects from having used a heart-lung machine. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803132750.htm