ScienceDaily: Stroke News

Far-reaching, microvascular damage found in uninjured side of brain after stroke

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:37:37 EDT

An animal-model study finds far-reaching microvascular damage in the uninjured side of the brain after a stroke. The findings suggest repair of the protective blood-brain barrier may help prevent this breach in the days following the acute injury.

Depression linked to almost doubled stroke risk in middle-aged women

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:16 EDT

Depression among women 47-52 years old is associated with an almost doubled risk of stroke. Researchers call for greater awareness of depression as a preventable risk factor for stroke among younger middle-aged women.

Novel brain training device to reconnect brain and paralyzed limb after stroke

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:48:48 EDT

The world’s first Brain Training Device has given a ray of new hope to the recovery of survivors after stroke. This novel device can detect brainwave and control the movement of paralyzed limbs.

Heart disease: Healthy lifestyle offsets work-related stress, study suggests

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:33:33 EDT

People with job stress and an unhealthy lifestyle are at higher risk of coronary artery disease than people who have job stress but lead healthy lifestyles, found a new study.

Missing link in signals contributes to neurodegeneration

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:13:13 EDT

In many neurodegenerative diseases the neurons of the brain are over-stimulated and this leads to their destruction. After many failed attempts and much scepticism this process was finally shown last year to be a possible basis for treatment in some patients with stroke. But very few targets for drugs to block this process are known.

Weeks after stroke, some patients develop chronic, debilitating pain

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:28:28 EDT

Nearly 1 in 10 stroke patients suffer chronic and debilitating pain, typically described as sharp, stabbing or burning. It is treatable with medications and magnetic or electrical stimulation of the brain. But physicians often fail to correctly diagnose the condition.

Sunshine could benefit health and prolong life, study suggests

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:58:58 EDT

Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke -- and even prolong life, a study suggests.

Increases in heart disease risk factors may decrease brain function

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

Increases in heart disease risk factors may decrease brain function. The association between the two was noted in young and middle-age adults as well as the elderly. Smoking and diabetes were especially linked with reduced brain function.

Five 'sudden symptoms' of stroke: Recognizing these could save a life – even a young life

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:35:35 EDT

Quickly recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical care from stroke specialists can minimize the effects of the disease or even save a life. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Nearly 20 percent of strokes occur in people younger than age 55.

Gut bacteria byproduct predicts heart attack and stroke

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:52:52 EDT

A microbial byproduct of intestinal bacteria contributes to heart disease and serves as an accurate screening tool for predicting future risks of heart attack, stroke and death in persons not otherwise identified by traditional risk factors and blood tests, according to new research.

Teen years may be critical in later stroke risk

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:11:11 EDT

The teenage years may be a key period of vulnerability related to living in the "stroke belt" when it comes to future stroke risk, according to a new study.

Binge drinking in college can lead to heart disease later in life

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:19:19 EDT

Frequent binge drinking in college can cause more than a hangover. Regularly consuming multiple drinks in a short window of time can cause immediate changes in circulation that increase an otherwise healthy young adult's risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, according to new research.

Tart cherries linked to reduced risk of stroke

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:21:21 EDT

For the millions of Americans at risk for heart disease or diabetes, a diet that includes tart cherries might actually be better than what the doctor ordered, according to new animal research.

Using nitrous oxide for anesthesia doesn't increase -- and may decrease -- complications and death, studies suggest

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:12:12 EDT

Giving nitrous oxide as part of general anesthesia for noncardiac surgery doesn't increase the rate of complications and death -- and might even decrease the risk of such events, according to a pair of new studies.

New therapy device enables stroke victims to recover further

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:54:54 EDT

Patients whose progress plateaued after undergoing conventional treatment showed new peaks in recovery under new system.

Shift of language function to right hemisphere impedes post-stroke aphasia recovery

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:19:19 EDT

In a study designed to differentiate why some stroke patients recover from aphasia and others do not, investigators have found that a compensatory reorganization of language function to right hemispheric brain regions bodes poorly for language recovery. Patients who recovered from aphasia showed a return to normal left-hemispheric language activation patterns.

Brain-imaging tool and stroke risk test help identify cognitive decline early

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:13:13 EDT

Medical researchers have used a brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to identify signs of cognitive decline early on in individuals who don't yet show symptoms of dementia.

Tests to predict heart problems and stroke may be more useful predictor of memory loss than dementia tests

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Risk prediction tools that estimate future risk of heart disease and stroke may be more useful predictors of future decline in cognitive abilities, or memory and thinking, than a dementia risk scores, according to a new study.

Eating more fiber may lower risk of first-time stroke

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:14:14 EDT

Eating more fiber may decrease your risk of first-time stroke, according to new research.

Certified stroke centers more likely to give clot-busting drugs

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:23:23 EDT

Stroke patients are three times more likely to receive clot-busting medication if they're treated at a hospital certified as a primary stroke center. There is a limited window of opportunity for using the drugs, so getting to a hospital quickly for treatment is important. Call 9-1-1 at the first sign of stroke symptoms.

Robot-delivered speech and physical therapy a success

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:26:26 EDT

In one of the earliest experiments using a humanoid robot to deliver speech and physical therapy to a stroke patient, researchers saw notable speech and physical therapy gains and significant improvement in quality of life.

Astrocyte signaling sheds light on stroke research

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:47:47 EDT

New research suggests that modifying signals sent by astrocytes, our star-shaped brain cells, may help to limit the spread of damage after an ischemic brain stroke. The study in mice determined that astrocytes play a critical role in the spread of damage following stroke.

Coffee, green tea, may help lower stroke risk, research shows

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:01:01 EDT

Green tea and coffee may help lower your risks of having a stroke, especially when both are a regular part of your diet. People who drank either green tea or coffee daily had about approximately 20~30 percent lower risk for one type of stroke, compared to those who seldom drank them.

Garbled text messages may be the only symptoms of stroke

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:49:49 EDT

Difficulty or inability to write a coherent text message, even in patients who have no problem speaking, may become a "vital" tool in diagnosing a type of crippling stroke, according to new research.

Do blood thinners and stroke treatment mean danger? Study indicates risk is low

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:53:53 EDT

Millions of Americans take drugs to reduce their risk of heart attacks caused by blood clots. A new study suggests that a fear of brain bleeding if these patients receive stroke therapy may be unfounded, at least for most patients taking common clot-preventing therapies.

Stroke risk in elderly treated with antipsychotics is newly linked to specific drug actions

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:38:38 EDT

Antipsychotic administration in the elderly is associated with an increased risk for cerebrovascular accident, more commonly known as stroke; a new study provides additional insight into this important relationship.

Robots to get stroke patients back on their feet

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:13:13 EDT

Strokes are the most common cause of physical disability among the elderly. This often result in paralysis of one side of the body, and many patients suffer much reduced physical mobility and are often unable to walk on their own. Scientists are currently developing a robotic system designed to help stroke patients re-train their bodies.

New research shows that while niacin added to statin therapy increases HDL cholesterol levels it does not improve HDL functionality

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:38:38 EDT

While two large clinical trials recently showed that adding niacin to statin therapy failed to improve clinical outcomes despite a significant increase in HDL-C levels, little is known about exactly why the increased HDL-C levels did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. Now, a small study has shown that while niacin increased measured levels of HDL-C, it did not improve the functionality of HDL. This may provide an explanation for the failure of niacin to further reduce cardiovascular risk.

Post-stroke walking program improves stroke survivors' lives

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:16:16 EST

Regular brisk walking after a stroke may improve physical fitness, mobility and quality of life. Walking with friends or family can help stroke survivors overcome a fear of falling.

Heart attack rates rise with plunging GDP in Greece's financial crisis

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:44:44 EST

Heart attack rates have spiked in Greece since the start of the country's financial crisis, especially among women and residents older than 45, according to a new study.

Higher heart attack rates continue 6 years after Katrina

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:42:42 EST

New Orleans residents continue to face a three-fold increased risk of heart attack post-Katrina -- a trend that has remained unchanged since the storm hit in 2005, according to new research.

Is it a stroke or benign dizziness? A simple bedside test can tell

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:40:40 EST

A bedside electronic device that measures eye movements can successfully determine whether the cause of severe, continuous, disabling dizziness is a stroke or something benign, according to new results.

'Very low' risk of infections in advanced brain procedures

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:32:32 EST

Patients undergoing cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures on the brain are at very low risk of infection -- even without preventive antibiotics, reports a study in the March issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Researchers link left-sided brain injury with greater risk for hospital-acquired infections

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:14:14 EST

New findings have implications for translational research into brain-mediated immune defenses, infection control practices and cognitive rehabilitation strategies after stroke and brain injury.

After a stroke, every minute counts: New national guide for care

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:34:34 EST

From the moment a person starts to experience stroke symptoms, the clock starts ticking. Every minute that passes can make a difference in how well their brain, arms, legs, speech or thinking ability recover. Now, new national guidelines for stroke treatment make it clear just how much minutes count.

Man walks again after surgery to reverse muscle paralysis

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:43:43 EST

After four years of confinement to a wheelchair, Rick Constantine, 58, is now walking again after undergoing an unconventional surgery to restore the use of his leg.

New clot removal devices show promise for treating stroke patients

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:18:18 EST

Specialists are treating patients with a new generation of blood clot removal devices that show promise in successfully revascularizing stroke patients, including those with large vessel blockages. The Solitaire Flow Restoration Device and the Trevo device, approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 to treat stroke caused by the sudden obstruction of a brain blood vessel (acute ischemic stroke) showed improved results over a previous standard and first generation clot-removal device in clinical trials.

Ability of brain to protect itself from damage revealed

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:28:28 EST

The origin of an innate ability the brain has to protect itself from damage that occurs in stroke has been explained for the first time. Researchers hope that harnessing this inbuilt biological mechanism, identified in rats, could help in treating stroke and preventing other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

Fish oil component reduces brain damage in newborns, mouse study suggests

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:49:49 EST

Scientists found the novel use of a component of fish oil reduced brain trauma in newborn mice.

Omega-3 lipid emulsions markedly protect brain after stroke in mouse study

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:47:47 EST

Triglyceride lipid emulsions rich in an omega-3 fatty acid injected within a few hours of an ischemic stroke can decrease the amount of damaged brain tissue by 50 percent or more in mice, reports a new study. The results suggest that the emulsions may be able to reduce some of the long-term neurological and behavioral problems seen in human survivors of neonatal stroke and possibly of adult stroke, as well.

Antioxidants in your diet may not reduce risk of stroke or dementia, study suggests

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:35 EST

Contrary to other research, a new study found that the total level of antioxidants in people’s diets is not related to their risk of developing stroke or dementia. Antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E are found in many foods.

Smoking cessation in old age: Less heart attacks and strokes within five years

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:34:34 EST

Smokers increase their risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke with every cigarette they smoke. Conversely, those who quit smoking even at an advanced age will have a considerable decrease in their risk after a very short time.

Taste preferences impact health, new study finds

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:21:21 EST

Individuals who have a high preference for sweets and a high aversion to bitter flavors may be at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed how two tasting profiles, sweet likers (SL) and supertasters (ST), interact and affect dietary intake and health, particularly metabolic syndrome.

Vascular brain injury greater risk factor than amyloid plaques in cognitive aging

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:23:23 EST

Vascular brain injury from conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke are greater risk factors for cognitive impairment among non-demented older people than is the deposition of the amyloid plaques in the brain that long have been implicated in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, a new study has found.

Imaging acute ischemic stroke patients' brains did not lead to improved outcomes

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:47:47 EST

The use of advanced imaging shortly after the onset of acute stroke failed to identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from a clot-removal procedure, a study has found.

Some stroke patients whose life support is withdrawn may have achieved a less-than-ideal but acceptable recovery

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:15:15 EST

Some patients whose life support ended after bleeding in the brain might have recovered some acceptable function if life support was continued. Greater patience and less pessimism may be needed, researchers suggest.

Almost 8 percent of US stroke survivors may have suicidal thoughts

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:15:15 EST

Stroke survivors are more likely to report recent suicidal thoughts or wish they were dead compared with individuals with previous heart attack, diabetes or cancer. Seven variables were important in predicting whether a person with stroke had recent suicidal thoughts: depression score, age, BMI, education level, socioeconomic status, gender and marital status.

Southern diet could raise your risk of stroke

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:14:14 EST

Eating lots of Southern cuisine is linked to increased stroke risk. A Southern-style diet includes fried foods, organ meats, sugary drinks and a lot of salt. African-Americans are five times more likely to eat Southern foods, which may help explain their higher stroke risk.

Permanent stress can cause type 2 diabetes in men, study suggests

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:44:44 EST

Men who reported permanent stress have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than men who reported no stress. This is the finding of a 35-year prospective follow-up study of 7,500 men in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Same factors influence depression in stroke patients, spouse caregivers

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:16:16 EST

Self-esteem, optimism and perceived control influence depression in stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers. Healthcare providers should assess the survivor and caregiver as a pair, not separately. Self-esteem influenced each partners' depression. Spousal optimism influenced stroke survivors' depression.

Native Hawaiians have bleeding strokes at earlier age, independent of meth use

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:10:10 EST

Native Hawaiians have more bleeding strokes at an earlier age than other people independent of methamphetamine abuse. Besides genetics, environmental factors -- such as diet, stress, unhealthy lifestyles and a lack of good healthcare could also affect the higher incidences. Researchers suggest more focus is needed on controlling high blood pressure, diabetes and weight management in this population.

Smoking marijuana associated with higher stroke risk in young adults

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:10:10 EST

Marijuana use may double the risk of stroke in young adults. The New Zealand findings are the first from a case-controlled study to indicate a potential link between marijuana and stroke.

Study of brain cooling and clot-busting drug therapy for stroke receives FDA OK to expand

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:35:35 EST

An international multicenter clinical trial on the combination of brain cooling and “clot-busting” drug therapy after stroke has received Food and Drug Administration approval to expand from 50 patients to 400. This study, which includes the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA), the only FDA-approved treatment for acute stroke, is the latest in a series of clinical trials on brain cooling – controlled hypothermia – to reduce neurological damage after stroke.

Stroke damage in mice overcome by training that 'rewires' brain centers

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:21:21 EST

Researchers have found that mice can recover from physically debilitating strokes that damage the primary motor cortex, the region of the brain that controls most movement in the body, if the rodents are quickly subjected to physical conditioning that rapidly "rewires" a different part of the brain to take over lost function.

Chemical reaction keeps stroke-damaged brain from repairing itself

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:39:39 EST

Nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule produced in the brain, can damage neurons. When the brain produces too much nitric oxide, it contributes to the severity and progression of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Researchers recently discovered that nitric oxide not only damages neurons, it also shuts down the brain's repair mechanisms.

Taking insulin for type 2 diabetes could expose patients to greater risk of health complications, study suggests

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:42:42 EST

Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin could be exposed to a greater risk of health complications including heart attack, stroke, cancer and eye complications a new study has found.

High risk of cardiovascular diseases amongst Swedish-born and immigrant MS patients

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:46:46 EST

A new study from Sweden shows that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) run a high risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure, regardless of migration background. The study is the first in the world to examine the risk of cardiovascular diseases in male and female MS patients with both non-immigrant and immigrant backgrounds.

New stroke gene discovery could lead to tailored treatments

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:08:08 EST

Scientists have identified a new genetic variant associated with stroke. By exploring the genetic variants linked with blood clotting -- a process that can lead to a stroke -- scientists have discovered a gene which is associated with large vessel and cardioembolic stroke but has no connection to small vessel stroke.

Owl mystery unravelled: Scientists explain how bird can rotate its head without cutting off blood supply to brain

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:41:41 EST

Medical illustrators and neurological imaging experts have figured out how night-hunting owls can almost fully rotate their heads -- by as much as 270 degrees in either direction -- without damaging the delicate blood vessels in their necks and heads, and without cutting off blood supply to their brains.

Dementia: Cerebrolysin shows promise

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:46:46 EST

Dementia patients may benefit from a promising new treatment called Cerebrolysin, according to the results of a systematic review. The authors brought together the most up-to-date evidence on Cerebrolysin as a treatment for vascular dementia.