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ed11563


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Tiny Silent Strokes -- More Common Than You Thought
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I worked for six years with something related to brain injury, and I find this article interesting.

No medical knowledge is needed to understand this.

 

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/837554?nlid=74404_1521&src=wnl_edit_medp_wir&uac=20010AY&spon=17

 

Tiny Silent Strokes -- More Common Than You Thought

Alan R. Jacobs, MD

January 09, 2015

 

This is the Medscape Neurology Minute. I am Dr Alan Jacobs. Researchers from the Krembil Neuroscience Centre have published a study[1] analyzing a possible cause for leukoaraiosis, the diffuse white matter damage seen on brain imaging scans of older individuals. Their study involved five patients undergoing detailed MRI scanning of their brains every week for 16 consecutive weeks. What they found through random sampling were new small white matter cerebral infarcts that were asymptomatic but that eventually took on the appearance of their pre-existing white matter diseases. The study authors concluded that tiny silent strokes are likely much more common than physicians previously appreciated and that these strokes are likely a cause of the age-related white matter disease that can lead to dementia. They also recommend aggressive management of stroke risk factors in patients found to have white matter disease on brain imaging. This has been the Medscape Neurology Minute. I'm Dr Alan Jacobs.

Abstract

References

  1. Conklin J, Silver FL, Mikulis DJ, Mandell DM. Are acute infarcts the cause of leukoaraiosis? Brain mapping for 16 consecutive weeks. Ann Neurol. 2014;76:899-904.

 

Medscape Neurology © 2015  WebMD, LLC

 

 



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lilyofcourse


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My great grand mother had several of what the doctor called silent strokes.

One of her MRI's and CT scans showed something like 20 plus in the recent time and he suspected she had been having them since she was about 50. She was 93 when she died.

Now I will also tell you that right up till the day she died she was fully cognizant and knew everyone and everything. Sharp as a razor.

The only indication of anything ever being wrong with her was balance. She would fall easily.



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aergia


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silent strokes are also known as TIA's or Transient Ischemic Attacks, as opposed to Cerebral Vascular Attacks or true Strokes. The key here is Transient. In general, general, there are no residual symptoms or signs that one occurred.

But they can be scary as hell for the witness ad the patient.

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ed11563


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aergia wrote:

silent strokes are also known as TIA's or Transient Ischemic Attacks, as opposed to Cerebral Vascular Attacks or true Strokes. The key here is Transient. In general, general, there are no residual symptoms or signs that one occurred.

But they can be scary as hell for the witness ad the patient.

My understanding of Transient Ischemic Attacks (my father had them) is that blood flow to some critical part of the brain is reduced temporarily, so the person shows symptoms, then the symptoms clear up. That is not silent, that is kind of blatant.

 

The author here is describing small areas of brain death that keep occurring and spreading, but without symptoms until a LOT of the white matter is dead. 

Uneducated as I may be, that does not sound like the same thing.

I've heard TIA's described as "mini-strokes" , not "silent" strokes.

 

 

 



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Renegade Time Lord


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I have an elderly friend whom I have power of attorney for and manage her health care decisions and treatment.  She is 83 and has had a couple of small strokes which have resulted in some degree of impairment.  Her MRIs show a number of small cerebral infarcts, so I suspect she has had a number of small silent strokes over the years.  She has difficulty with balance, and some weakness on her right side.  Her mind, however, is sharp and she is still feisty and stubborn.  Several of her sisters who have passed were diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so that is a big concern. 

I have had a few TIAs without any consequence.  I am also at risk for stroke, as I have regular episodes of atrial fibrillation, which can cause blood clots to form in my heart.



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