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, 12 May 2008 03:05:01 EDT Mon, 12 May 2008 03:05:01 EDT 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/2008/05/080508164414.htm Therapist-assisted walking rehabilitation showed greater improvements in walking ability in ambulatory stroke survivors compared to robotic-assisted therapy. Post-stroke patients in both groups improved their walking ability, but the amount of improvement in the physical therapist-assisted group was greater. Robotic devices may be best reserved for acute stroke patients who have no ability to walk on their own. Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508164414.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505224857.htm There's an electrical storm brewing inside the hearts of more than 2.2 million Americans. And just like lightning, this kind of storm can have devastating consequences. The "storm", in this case, is a condition called atrial fibrillation -- the most common form of irregular heartbeat in the United States. And the "lightning bolts" they can produce are tiny blood clots, which can form when blood pools in a heart that's not beating regularly. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505224857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430201645.htm The risks of developing Alzheimer's disease differ between the sexes, with stroke in men, and depression in women, critical factors, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430201645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502171622.htm Aerobic exercise combined with cognitive behavioral therapy may improve physical function, reduce depressive symptoms and enhance quality of life in depressed heart failure patients. Unlike other studies related to exercise in heart failure patients, all participants in the study were clinically depressed. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502171622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428162540.htm Postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy appear to have an increased risk of stroke regardless of when they started treatment, according to a new report. Compared to women who had never used hormones, women currently taking hormone therapy had an increased risk for stroke (39 percent for those taking estrogen and 27 percent for those taking estrogen with progestin). Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428162540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424104349.htm Using new 3-D ultrasound technology bioengineers can compensate for the thickness and unevenness of the skull to see in real-time the arteries within the brain that most often clog up and cause strokes. Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424104349.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424121447.htm Two new studies provide evidence that differences in people's blood levels of C reactive protein stem in part from natural variation in known metabolic genes. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424121447.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424165320.htm Higher wealth is linked with a lower risk of stroke in Americans between the ages of 50 and 64, but does not predict strokes in those over age 65, researchers reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424165320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145757.htm New research shows women who have weekly migraine are significantly more likely to have a stroke than those with fewer migraines or no migraine at all, but those with lower migraine frequency may face increased risk of heart attacks. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145757.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416081641.htm People with high cholesterol in their early 40s are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with low cholesterol. A new study found people with total cholesterol levels between 249 and 500 milligrams were one-and-a-half times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those people with cholesterol levels of less than 198 milligrams. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416081641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415130732.htm Fasting during the month of Ramadan raises the risk of a rare type of stroke, according to new research. Over one billion Muslims fast worldwide during the month of Ramadan. Other studies have shown that fasting during Ramadan does not affect the rate of arterial stroke. This study looked at cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a rare type of stroke that most often affects young adults and children and is more common in women. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415130732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152003.htm After a stroke, women are more likely to become depressed than men, but despite being depressed, women are more likely than men to take stroke medications. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414161540.htm Women who eat diets similar to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet -- which is low in animal protein, moderate in low-fat dairy products and high in plant proteins, fruits and vegetables -- appear to have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, according to a new report. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414161540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409174612.htm Like horses running down the long stretch of a race track, two different artery-opening treatments appear to be running neck-and-neck when it comes to preventing stroke among people with clogged neck arteries and other health problems. After three years, patients who had a minimally invasive procedure were just as likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack, or to die, as those who had open-neck surgery. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409174612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410140459.htm Carotid artery stenting is an effective option for high risk patients who are not eligible for surgery, according to a long-term study. Carotid artery disease, which involves clogging of the arteries in the neck that provide blood to the brain, is a significant risk factor for stroke, making these study results important for the estimated 200,000 Americans each year who would otherwise not be candidates for the treatment. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410140459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410080230.htm Inserting tiny scaffolding into the brain could dramatically reduce damage caused by strokes, according to new research. Scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry have found that combining scaffold microparticles with neural stem cells could regenerate lost brain tissue. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410080230.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080404114454.htm New studies will delve into some of the crucial issues surrounding death by brain tumors and stroke. The research will aim to find links between chemical signals in the brain and the reasons why brain tumours or strokes become fatal. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080404114454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328110036.htm Decreased sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women, is not clearly associated with cardiovascular disease. Female sexual dysfunction is a common condition and has been linked to a higher burden of medical illnesses that can cause cardiovascular disease. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328110036.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327172308.htm Researchers have identified a key player in the killing of brain cells after a stroke or a seizure. The protein asparagine endopeptidase unleashes enzymes that break down brain cells' DNA, scientists have found. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327172308.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328124547.htm Blunt cerebrovascular injuries can be diagnosed using whole body 16 multidetector CT; there's no need for an additional neck MDCT angiography examination according to a recent study. The study showed that whole body MDCT is just as accurate as neck MDCTA. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328124547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325111743.htm Beta-blockers heal the heart via the brain when administered during heart failure, according to a new study. Up to now, it was thought that beta-blockers work directly on the heart, but the new study shows that the drugs may also act via the brain, suggesting that future therapies to treat cardiovascular disease could be targeting the central nervous system. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325111743.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080326161721.htm People with larger stomachs in their 40s are more likely to have dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a new study. Those who were overweight and had a large belly were 2.3 times more likely to develop dementia than people with a normal weight and belly size. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080326161721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324124350.htm It has long been known that psoriasis, a chronic skin condition characterized by thick, red, scaly plaques that itch and bleed, can have a significant negative impact on a patient's overall quality of life. Now, dermatologists are finding that psoriasis, especially severe psoriasis, is linked with a number of serious medical conditions -- including cardiovascular disease, depression and cancer. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324124350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319170020.htm Hispanics who have even a small amount of plaque build-up in the neck artery that supplies blood to the brain are up to four times more likely to suffer or die from a stroke or heart attack than Hispanics who do not have plaque, according to a new study. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319170020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317093908.htm Researchers have found a process in the brain that may help explain the link between Alzheimer's and stroke. This finding connects the dots between a peptide called p25 and increased production of amyloid beta. This newly identified p25/cdk5 pathway could explain why the risk of Alzheimer's disease is significantly higher following a stroke. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317093908.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318114824.htm Researchers have estimated that one in six women are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease in their lifetime, while the risk for men is one in ten. Stroke and dementia are the most widely feared age-related neurological diseases, and are also the only neurological disorders listed in the ten leading causes of disease burden. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318114824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317113914.htm Researchers report the development of a new group of aspirin-like substances that may be safer and as effective as conventional aspirin for fighting heart disease, the leading cause of death in the developed world. Physicians have known for years that daily low-doses of aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, reduce the risk of developing heart attacks and stroke in some people. However, prolonged use of aspirin can damage the stomach lining, causing bleeding and ulcers that can be life-threatening. A safer form of aspirin is needed, researchers say. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317113914.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314091645.htm One way of combating atherosclerosis is to reduce levels of "bad cholesterol" in the blood. Scientists have now identified the genes that bring about this beneficial effect. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of myocardial infarction and stroke in Western nations. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314091645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310164912.htm Male smokers who consume more magnesium appear to have a lower risk for cerebral infarction, a type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, according to a new report. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310164912.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310110859.htm A new computer program will be able to identify the type of brain damage a patient has had, to calculate the probability of recovery and recommend the most effective ways to treat the patient. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310110859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306162756.htm Smoking may exacerbate the increased risk of a blood vessel bursting inside the brain (intracerebral stroke) already faced by people with high blood pressure, according to a new study in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. For every 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) increase in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading), smokers face an additional 15 percentage point increase in risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain), compared with nonsmokers. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306162756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306162752.htm Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke in China, accounting for about one in seven strokes in men. Many studies in western populations have shown that cigarette smoking is a strong and independent risk factor for stroke. But the relationship between cigarette smoking and stroke hasn't been well-studied in Asian populations -- including China, where stroke is the second leading cause of death. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306162752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303170029.htm Depressed heart attack patients have a higher risk for sudden death in the months following a heart attack. Now researchers have found that the risk continues for many years. In the five years following a heart attack, 106 patients died. Of those, 62 had been diagnosed with depression, while 44 had not. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303170029.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190656.htm Psychological distress, but not depression, may increase the risk of stroke, according to a new study published in Neurology. Previous studies have shown that stroke often leads to depression, but the evidence was mixed as to whether depression could lead to stroke. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229141756.htm Low-fat diets are more effective in preserving and promoting a healthy cardiovascular system than low-carbohydrate, Atkins'-like diets, according to a new study. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229141756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229075207.htm Researchers have determined that the level, or saturation, of oxygen in blood could be used to identify children with sickle cell anemia who are at an increased risk of stroke. In a related study, they have also found that a published method used to predict severe complications of the disease may not be adequate. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229075207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227212932.htm The progressive eye disease, age related macular degeneration, or AMD for short, doubles the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. AMD affects the center of the retina (macula) at the back of the eye, which is used for fine central vision tasks, such as reading and driving. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227212932.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228174827.htm A side effect of economic prosperity may be an increased risk of the most common type of strokes, researchers from China report in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. The changes in the stroke rate and stroke mortality occurred during a time of rapid economic development and growth in China that greatly changed people's lifestyles and healthcare. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228174827.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226102607.htm French researchers announced a striking 15 percent decrease in admissions of patients with myocardial infarction to emergency wards since the public ban on smoking came into effect last January. Researchers in Rome found an 11.2 percent reduction of acute coronary events since the January 2005 smoking ban took effect in Italy. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226102607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225213526.htm Up to 20 percent of patients taking aspirin to lower the risk of suffering a second cerebrovascular event do not have an antiplatelet response from aspirin, the effect thought to produce the protective effect, researchers at the University at Buffalo have shown. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225213526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225101129.htm Early and intensive lowering of high blood pressure has shown promising effects in stroke patients, according to results of a new stroke study. Initial results of the first large-scale investigation into managing raised blood pressure after intracerebral haemorrhage (stroke) demonstrates that rapid blood pressure lowering is well tolerated and appears to reduce the amount of bleeding in the brain, indicating that such treatment could reduce the risk of death and disability in stroke patients. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225101129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222095416.htm American adults have a higher prevalence of stroke than their European counterparts, due in part to a higher rate of stroke risk factors among Americans and barriers to care in the United States. Compared to European men, U.S. men had 61 percent higher odds of having a stroke and U.S. women had almost twice the odds of stroke as European women. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222095416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221161356.htm A moderate level of aerobic fitness can significantly reduce stroke risk for men and women, according to a large, long-running study. About 780,000 U.S. adults suffer a stroke each year, and stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. It’s often fatal, claiming about 150,000 lives and ranking as the No. 3 cause of death. Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221161356.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220161714.htm Calling a primary care doctor instead of 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke can delay patients from reaching an emergency room during the most critical period -- the first three hours after onset of stroke symptoms, researchers reported. Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220161714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203533.htm New techniques for detecting emboli (harmful blood clots/air bubbles in arteries) have played a major role in dramatically reducing stroke rates after carotid endarterectomy. This is an operation designed to remove narrowings in the main arteries supplying the brain before they can cause a stroke. Before per-operative embolus monitoring was introduced in 1992, the intra-operative stroke rate during carotid artery procedures was 4%. Today it is 0.2%. Before post-operative monitoring was introduced in 1995, the post-operative stroke rate was 2.7%. Today it is extremely rare. Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203533.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222111450.htm Older Americans with the highest risk of stroke, but those who have never suffered a stroke, also have the highest rate of cognitive decline, researchers report. The higher your stroke risk score, the more the cognitive decline, according to new research. Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222111450.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221153730.htm Regular daytime dozing forewarns of a significantly increased risk of stroke in older Americans, researchers report. Stroke risk was two- to four-fold greater in those with moderate dozing. This suggests that daytime dozing "may be an important and novel stroke risk factor," said the lead author of the study. In this study, dozing refers to a person unintentionally falling asleep. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221153730.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220161720.htm Stroke patients who enter the hospital at night and on weekends are more likely to die in the hospital than those treated during regular business hours and on weekdays, according to two new studies. "The mortality rate was remarkably lower for weekday admissions than for weekend: 7.9 percent versus 10.1 percent," said the senior author of the study. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220161720.htm