| 297 Health - Stroke Resources |
| 1 in 7 strokes occurs during sleep, many go without clot-busting treatment |
| Approximately 14 percent of all strokes occur during sleep, preventing many from getting clot-busting treatment, according to a study published in the May 10, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| May 9, 2011 |
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| A Bloodthinner That May Not Stop A Different Kind Of Bleeding |
| As Boehringer Ingelheim works feverishly to promote its Pradaxa bloodthinner before rival treatments are approved, a new study suggests the medication has a problem -- cost. Treating patients with Pradaxa instead of warfarin, which is the decades-old standard of care, results in significantly higher costs per patient and higher net costs for each stroke that is avoided. |
| October 25, 2011 |
| A New Drug for Heat Stroke? Implications for Malignant Hyperthermia |
| Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening genetic muscle disorder, most commonly triggered in those at risk by certain types of drugs used during anesthesia. Heat stroke, on the other hand, most commonly occurs in individuals in response to physical exertion in hot/humid environments. |
| January 12, 2012 |
| AAN neurologist receives prestigious award at Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum |
| Moschonas received his award at the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum on January 14, 2012, in Austin, Texas, for his outstanding work in raising awareness about brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, autism, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. |
| January 17, 2012 |
| ABCD2 score to identify people at risk of stroke has limited clinical application |
| The ABCD2 score used to identify people at risk of stroke after suffering a transient ischemic attack — a "mini" or "warning" stroke — is not sensitive enough to distinguish between high- and low-risk patients and has limited clinical application, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). |
| June 6, 2011 |
| ACCF/AHA release updated guideline to promote better management of peripheral artery disease |
| Peripheral artery disease, or "PAD," is a common and dangerous condition that affects tens of millions of Americans -- often unknowingly -- and can restrict blood flow to the legs, kidneys or other vital organs. PAD, which remains underdiagnosed, is often a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in the heart, brain or legs and, if untreated, it is one of the most common causes of preventable heart attack, stroke, leg amputations and death. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| ACP recommends new approach to prevent venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients |
| In a new clinical practice guideline published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that doctors assess the risk of thromboembolism and bleeding in patients hospitalized for medical illnesses, including stroke, before initiating therapy to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). |
| October 31, 2011 |
| Actress invites public to vote for projects that increase AF-related stroke awareness |
| Today, actress Jane Seymour invites the public to vote for projects that increase awareness of the link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. AF is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder worldwide and leads to as many as 3 million strokes worldwide each year. Seymour, who has herself been touched by tragic effects of AF-related stroke, pledges her support for 1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke, a first-of-its-kind disease awareness effort. The global initiative will provide up to €1 million for projects, to be selected by public vote, which fulfill the overall mission of helping prevent as many as 1 million AF-related strokes through information campaigns. It is supported by over 40 third party organisations around the world and is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| Acute Stroke Therapy at Crossroads, Researchers Write |
| Acute stroke therapy is at a crossroads, a University of Cincinnati (UC) researcher writes in a national medical journal, with clinical practice increasingly using approaches that have not been proven clinically effective while conduct of clinical trials to provide critical data is impeded. |
| November 9, 2011 |
| After a Stroke: Medications to Reduce Arm Spasticity |
| When it comes to stroke rehabilitation, one medication doesn't fit all. Your stroke rehab team will work with you to find out which medications, if any, can help you regain control of your extremities after a stroke. It's important to remember these medications are not a cure. They are ongoing treatments that relieve the symptoms of spasticity. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| Alternating training improves motor learning |
| Learning from one's mistakes may be better than practicing to perfection, according to a study in the Oct. 19 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. The study found that forcing people to switch from a normal walking pattern to an unusual one -- and back again -- made them better able to adjust to the unusual pattern the following day. The findings may help improve therapy for people relearning how to walk following stroke or other injury. |
| October 18, 2011 |
| ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis |
| Novartis announced today the early termination of the ALTITUDE trial, which was testing the effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren in type 2 diabetics at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. |
| December 20, 2011 |
| An apple or pear a day may keep strokes away |
| Apples and pears may keep strokes away. That's the conclusion of a Dutch study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association in which researchers found that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables with white flesh may protect against stroke. |
| September 15, 2011 |
| Anti-clotting Drug Warfarin May Be Safe for Elderly |
| Studies Suggest Warfarin May Be Underused for Patients Over 80 |
| August 31, 2011 |
| Apixaban Gains Priority FDA Review for Stroke and VTE Prevention in AF |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer announced today that the FDA will give a priority-review to the new drug application for apixaban for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in AF patients. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| Apples, Pears May Reduce Stroke Risk |
| Eating lots of white-fleshed fruit such as apples and pears may significantly reduce the risk of stroke. |
| September 15, 2011 |
| ASSERT Sheds Light on the Role of Subclinical AF in Stroke |
| A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine sheds some much-needed light on the precise role of subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) in the prognosis and development of ischemic stroke. ASSERT (Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Evaluation in Pacemaker Patients and the Atrial Fibrillation Reduction Atrial Pacing Trial) followed 2580 patients with a newly implanted pacemaker or ICD and with no previous diagnosis of AF. |
| January 11, 2012 |
| ATGL produces key signaling molecules essential for regulation of lipid, energy metabolism |
| Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are daunting modern-day epidemics. In Western Europe more than 50% of the population is overweight and approximately 15 million people die from cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke every year. These conditions are often caused by disorders of fat metabolism, resulting in a massive accumulation of fat in various tissues and of cholesterol in the walls of arteries. |
| August 22, 2011 |
| Atrial arrhythmias detected by pacemakers increase risk of stroke |
| An irregular heartbeat that you don't even feel but can be picked up by a pacemaker is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke, says a new McMaster University study. |
| January 11, 2012 |
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| Bayer's oral contraceptives may increase risk of blood clots, stroke or heart attack |
| Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is aware of two studies published today in The British Medical Journal, ONLINE FIRST. These papers are "Risk of venous thromboembolism in users of oral contraceptives containing drospirenone or levonorgestrel: nested case-control study based on UK General Practice Research Database" by Lianne Parkin et al; and "Risk of non-fatal venous thromboembolism in women using oral contraceptives containing drospirenone compared with women using oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel: case-control study using United States claims data" by Susan S. Jick et al. |
| April 25, 2011 |
| Beneficial or not beneficial: that is the question for IL-1 inhibition in atherosclerosis |
| Atherosclerosis is a disease of the major arterial blood vessels. It is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. |
| December 27, 2011 |
| Benefits of aspirin more modest than previously believed |
| People without a history of cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack or stroke) are unlikely to benefit from a regular dose of aspirin, given the associated risk of internal bleeding. This is the finding of the largest study to date into the effects of aspirin in people without established cardiovascular conditions. |
| January 16, 2012 |
| Better diagnostics could reduce risky surgery for asymptomatic carotid stenosis |
| New research from Neurologist Dr. David Spence of The University of Western Ontario has shown that using 3-D ultrasound to identify ulcers in the carotid arteries is an effective way to pinpoint the small number of high-risk patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) who would benefit from surgery to prevent stroke. ACS is a blocking or narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck from which there have been no symptoms such as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The research is published in the August 17th online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| August 17, 2011 |
| Biomarker-guided heart failure treatment significantly reduces complications |
| Adding regular testing for blood levels of a biomarker of cardiac distress to standard care for the most common form of heart failure may significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications, a new study finds. The report from investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Heart Center, appearing in the Oct. 25 Journal of the American College of Cardiology, describes how adjusting therapy to keep levels of the protein NT-proBNP below 1,000 pg/ml reduced hospitalizations for heart failure symptoms by half, along with lowering rates of arrhythmias, stroke, heart attack and cardiac death. Preliminary results of the study — results of which were so striking that enrollment was halted halfway through the planned schedule — were presented in November at the American Heart Association 2010 Scientific Sessions. |
| October 17, 2011 |
| Blood pressure slightly above normal? You may still be at increased risk of stroke |
| People with prehypertension have a 55 percent higher risk of experiencing a future stroke than people without prehypertension, report researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in a new meta-analysis of scientific literature published in the September 28 online issue of the journal Neurology. |
| September 28, 2011 |
| Blood Protein Levels May Predict Risk of a Cardiovascular Event |
| Increased levels of a protein that helps regulate the body's blood pressure may also predict a major cardiovascular event in high-risk patients, according to a study led by St. Michael's Hospital's cardiovascular surgeon Subodh Verma. Measuring the amount of the protein, known as plasma renin activity (PRA), in the blood stream may give doctors another tool to assess a patient's risk and help prevent a heart attack or stroke. |
| April 8, 2011 |
| Blood type may affect stroke risk, study finds |
| Your blood type might affect your risk for stroke. People with AB and women with B were a little more likely to suffer one than people with O blood - the most common type, a study found. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| Blood pressure medicines reduce stroke risk in people with prehypertension |
| Prehypertension, which affects more than 50 million adults in the United States, is blood pressure ranging between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. Hypertension is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. |
| December 8, 2011 |
| Blood-pressure-lowering drug after stroke aids recovery, study finds |
| A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth, a new University of Georgia study has found. |
| October 21, 2011 |
| Brain Injuries Increase Risk of Stroke |
| Traumatic Brain Injury Could Raise Stroke Risk Tenfold, Study Says |
| July 28, 2011 |
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| Cardiac rehabilitation programs benefit patients after mini or mild stroke |
| Cardiac rehabilitation, traditionally used after heart attack to prevent future heart problems, seems similarly effective for people who have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke, according to new research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| September 22, 2011 |
| Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee recommends FDA approval of J&JPRD's rivaroxaban |
| Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approval of rivaroxaban, a novel, once-daily, oral anticoagulant, for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The committee voted 9-2 in favor of rivaroxaban in patients with AF who are at risk of stroke and systemic embolism. |
| September 9, 2011 |
| Carbon nanotubes to the rescue: brain cells rescued by gene silencing offers new options for stroke |
| Research into the use of nanotechnology in treating stroke has produced evidence of significant motor function recovery. The use of carbon nanotubes to deliver short strands of RNA — called siRNA — and induce gene silencing of specific target areas in the brain responsible for motor functions has allowed scientists to 'switch off' proteins that contribute to neuronal tissue loss. This collaborative and highly multidisciplinary project offers the possibility of a new treatment for stroke. |
| June 20, 2011 |
| Carotid artery stenting shown to be cost-effective alternative to endarterectomy |
| Researchers determined that carotid artery stenting (CAS) with embolic protection is an economically attractive alternative to endarterectomy (END) for patients at increased surgical risk. The study, based on data from the Stenting and Angioplasty with Protection in Patients at High Risk for Endarterectomy (SAPPHIRE) trial, found that initial procedural cost was higher with CAS, but post-procedure hospital stay was shorter which significantly offset associated costs compared to END. |
| March 3, 2011 |
| Cheap drugs could save thousands of lives -- in Sweden alone |
| A major new international study involving researchers from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital has revealed that aspirin, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are prescribed far too infrequently. They are cheap, preventive medicines that could prevent a huge number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes. |
| September 7, 2011 |
| Chewing Khat Linked to Stroke, Death |
| Herbal Stimulant Raises Risk of Stroke and Death in People With Heart Disease |
| December 12, 2011 |
| Childhood stroke study identifies the contraceptive pill and smoking as risk factors |
| Researchers are calling for clear guidelines on childhood stroke after a study, published in the November issue of Acta Paediatrica, found wide variations in time lag to diagnosis, investigation and treatment. |
| November 1, 2010 |
| Cholesterol Drugs May Improve Blood Flow After Stroke |
| Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may help clot-busting drugs treat strokes, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. |
| April 26, 2011 |
| Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs can reduce the risk of stroke, but sometimes should be avoided |
| For many patients, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs can reduce the risk of strokes as well as heart attacks. But in a review article, Loyola University Health System neurologists caution that statins may not be appropriate for cetain categories of patients who are at risk for stroke. |
| August 19, 2011 |
| Coffee May Lower Stroke Risk |
| Study: 1 or More Cups of Coffee a Day Reduces Stroke Risk in Women |
| March 10, 2011 |
| Cognitive decline incidence higher in Southern stroke belt |
| New research shows that residents of the Stroke Belt—a southern portion of the U.S. with significantly elevated stroke morality rate—also have a greater incidence of cognitive decline than other regions of the country. Researchers believe shared risk factors among members of this population are to blame. Results of this study, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), are published in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| Concentric Medical launches Trevo Pro 4 device for acute ischemic stroke |
| Concentric Medical, Inc. today announced the full European launch of Trevo® Pro 4 System. This next standard in Stentriever™ technology has an enhanced design to further promote clot integration across clot types in patients suffering an acute ischemic stroke. |
| September 6, 2011 |
| Conventional approach could soon increase recurrent stroke risk after first event |
| For patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke, traditional treatment prescribes keeping subsequent blood pressure levels as low as possible to reduce the risk of another stroke. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| Crossing legs after severe stroke may be a good sign of recovery |
| People who are able to cross their legs soon after having a severe stroke appear to be more likely to have a good recovery compared to people who can't cross their legs. That's according to new research published in the October 11, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| October 10, 2011 |
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| Dabigatran etexilate superior to warfarin for stroke prevention in AF patients |
| New data from two RE-LY® trial sub-group analyses show that dabigatran etexilate provides consistent benefits in stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to well-controlled warfarin, irrespective of whether patients use antiplatelet or other concomitant therapies, such as the anti-arrhythmics amiodarone or verapamil. The relative benefits of dabigatran etexilate over well-controlled warfarin in the overall results of RE-LY® were consistent across patients using these concomitant treatments. The data was presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2011, in Paris, France. |
| August 29, 2011 |
| Decoding brain waves to eavesdrop on what we hear |
| Neuroscientists may one day be able to hear the imagined speech of a patient unable to speak due to stroke or paralysis. |
| January 31, 2012 |
| Delirium after stroke linked to poorer outcomes for patients |
| Delirium develops in about 30 percent of patients hospitalized shortly after a stroke and is linked to poorer outcomes, according to a new meta-analysis published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| January 19, 2012 |
| Dendritic cell subtype protects against atherosclerosis |
| Atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries," is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The cause of atherosclerosis is not well understood but, for some time, chronic inflammatory immune responses have been implicated in driving disease pathology. |
| November 10, 2011 |
| Depression associated with increased risk of stroke and stroke-related death |
| An analysis of nearly 30 studies including more than 300,000 patients finds that depression is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing stroke and dying from stroke, according to an article in the September 21 issue of JAMA. |
| September 20, 2011 |
| Depression, Age, Other Factors Linked to Dependence After Stroke |
| People who have a stroke are more likely to be dependent if they are depressed, older or have other medical problems, according to a study published in the March 15, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| Despite Benefits, Few Brain Aneurysm Patients Receive Specialized Care |
| The Neurocritical Care Society is releasing a comprehensive set of guidelines this week to guide physicians and hospitals on how to optimally care for patient's ruptured brain aneurysms. One of the strongest recommendations is that all patients receive specialized care at high-volume stroke centers that treat at least 60 cases per year. |
| September 19, 2011 |
| Device Could Improve Harvest of Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood |
| Johns Hopkins graduate students have invented a system to significantly boost the number of stem cells collected from a newborn's umbilical cord and placenta, so that many more patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders can be treated with these valuable cells. |
| June 20, 2011 |
| Diet Loaded With Veggies, Fruits, Whole Grains May Cut Stroke Risk |
| Study Shows Women Have Lower Risk of Stroke if Their Diet Includes Lots of Antioxidants |
| December 1, 2011 |
| Discovery of possible new strategy for treating neurologic disorders |
| What Doesn't Kill The Brain Makes It Stronger - Johns Hopkins team discovers brain defense in mice and a possible new strategy for treating neurologic disorders |
| May 23, 2011 |
| Disinhibition plus instruction improve brain plasticity |
| The healthy brain has balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals that stimulate activity but also keep it under control. Some brain diseases, like autism and Down's syndrome, have too much inhibition, which impairs cognitive functions. Reducing inhibition appears to improve cognition, and it can restore juvenile plasticity in the adult brain, making it more adaptable. Scientists want to recapture this plasticity to enhance recovery from stroke or brain injury and to treat people suffering from developmental or degenerative brain disorders. Now, a new MIT study using a common antidepressant that coincidentally reduces neural inhibition shows how this "disinhibition" works in ways that might be used therapeutically. |
| April 12, 2011 |
| Disparities in stroke care prevail among US racial/ethnic groups |
| Disparities between racial/ethnic minorities and whites cross all aspects of stroke care, according to an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific statement. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| Do-It-Yourself Brain Repair Following Stroke |
| Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death in the United States. A team of researchers -- led by Gregory Bix, at Texas A&M College of Medicine, College Station -- has identified a way to exploit one of the brain's self-repair mechanisms to protect nerve cells and enhance brain repair in rodent models of stroke. The authors suggest that this approach could provide a nontoxic treatment for stroke. |
| July 11, 2011 |
| Doctor experience matters in carotid artery procedures |
| Preventing a stroke by placing a stent in the carotid artery, a major artery of the head and neck, is a procedure that's skyrocketing in the United States, but the outcomes can be deadly if older patients are not in the right hands. |
| September 27, 2011 |
| Double duty for blood pressure drugs: how they could revolutionize how we treat valve disease |
| A type of medication known as angiotensin-receptor blockers could reduce risk of mortality in people with a heart disease called calcific aortic stenosis (AS) by 30 per cent over an eight-year period, Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Philippe Pibarot told delegates at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. The condition is currently managed with open heart surgery. |
| October 25, 2011 |
| Don't be afraid: very old patients treated with Vitamin K antagonists, if adequately managed, benefit from anticoagulati |
| Results of the EPICA Study (Elderly Patients followed by Italian Centres for Anticoagulation Study), were presented at the ESC Congress 2011 today. This is the largest study on very old patients anticoagulated with Vitamin K antagonists for the prevention of venous thromboembolism and, for the major part (75%), for the prevention of stroke because affected by atrial fibrillation. |
| August 29, 2011 |
| Drinking coffee, having sex are triggers that raise rupture risks for brain aneurysm |
| From drinking coffee to having sex to blowing your nose, you could temporarily raise your risk of rupturing a brain aneurysm — and suffering a stroke, according to a study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| May 5, 2011 |
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| E-counselling shows dramatic results in lowering blood pressure |
| E-counselling can significantly lower blood pressure, improve lifestyle and enhance quality of life, says Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Robert Nolan. |
| October 23, 2011 |
| Effects of 'mini stroke' can shorten life expectancy |
| Having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini stroke," can reduce your life expectancy by 20 percent. |
| November 10, 2011 |
| Elana Device for Intracranial Artery Bypass Gets FDA Nod |
| Based on a technology developed at UMC Utrecht, Elana, also out of Utrecht, The Netherlands, just received FDA Humanitarian Use Device approval for its commercialized product called ELANA (Excimer Laser Assisted Non-Occlusive Anastamosis) Surgical Kit, a tool that allows neurosurgeons to reroute blood flow around an aneurysm or a tumor without stopping the flow of blood. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| ESC introduces update to HeartScore application |
| The number of heart attack and stroke incidents in Europe is likely to reduce with the imminent launch of an update to the HeartScore® application. HeartScore® was first developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in 2004, and it helps clinicians rapidly estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individual patients using age, gender, basic health indicators, and lifestyle factors. The results from the model are then used to shape intervention and advice regimes aimed at lowering CVD risk. Following feedback, HeartScore® has been updated to incorporate a number of new features that will enhance its value as part of CVD prevention strategies. |
| August 26, 2011 |
| Estrogen may prevent younger menopausal women from strokes: study |
| Estrogen may prevent strokes in premature or early menopausal women, Mayo Clinic researchers say. Their findings challenge the conventional wisdom that estrogen is a risk factor for stroke at all ages. The study was published in the journal Menopause. |
| October 12, 2011 |
| Experts question whether preventive drugs are value for money |
| Experts today challenge the view that popular drugs to prevent disease - like statins and antihypertensives to prevent heart disease and stroke, or bisphosphonates to prevent fractures — represent value for money. |
| April 20, 2011 |
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| Fast track to vascular disease |
| In Western societies, atherosclerosis of the arteries is one of the leading causes of death. Chronic, localized inflammation of the blood vessel wall facilitates the growth of fibrous plaques, which leads to narrowing or occlusion of the vessel, and thereby promotes heart attacks and stroke. The persistence of the inflammatory reaction is due to a loss of control over the activity of the immune system. |
| June 3, 2011 |
| FDA Approves Rivaroxaban for Stroke Prevention in AF |
| The FDA has approved rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Johnson & Johnson) for stroke reduction in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The label will include a boxed warning that people should not discontinue taking the drug without talking with a healthcare professional. The FDA will also require that patients getting the drug receive a Medication Guide describing the risks and adverse reactions associated with the drug. |
| November 4, 2011 |
| FDA assigns priority-review designation for ELIQUIS NDA for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review a New Drug Application for ELIQUIS®, an investigational compound for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| FDA backs Vytorin for kidney disease patients |
| The Food and Drug Administration says Merck's cholesterol drug Vytorin helps reduce heart attack, stroke and related problems in patients with kidney disease, a potential new use for the blockbuster drug. |
| October 31, 2011 |
| FDA panel votes 9-2 in favor of new blood thinner drug |
| A new stroke preventer from Bayer and Johnson & Johnson — Xarelto moved one step closer to U.S. approval, but questions remained about restrictions on labeling and the need for more studies. |
| September 9, 2011 |
| FDA recommends lower doses of anemia drugs |
| Food and Drug Administration officials say doctors should use lower doses of anemia drugs when treating patients with failing kidneys due to the increased risk of stroke, blood clots and death. |
| June 24, 2011 |
| Feared spinal X-ray found to be safe, study shows |
| Medical imaging experts at Johns Hopkins have reviewed the patient records of 302 men and women who had a much-needed X-ray of the blood vessels near the spinal cord and found that the procedure, often feared for possible complications of stroke and kidney damage, is safe and effective. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Few African-Americans call 911 immediately for stroke symptoms |
| Most African-Americans say they'd call 9-1-1 if stroke symptoms occurred — but few do, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| May 5, 2011 |
| Football could contribute to strokes in adolescents |
| Researchers Dr. Jared R. Brosch and Dr. Meredith R. Golomb looked at various case studies of football players in their teens that suffered a stroke and found some potential causes for strokes in young football athletes. Some of those potential risks include: |
| December 8, 2011 |
| For stroke prevention, large medical centers may have the edge |
| Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of unruptured brain aneurysms, outcomes have remained stagnant over the last 10 years. This can be explained by the dramatic proliferation of minimally invasive endoscopic coiling procedures at lower-volume community hospitals, where outcomes are inferior. |
| January 30, 2012 |
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| 'Gifted' Natural Vitamin E Tocotrienol Protects Brain Against Stroke in 3 Ways |
| A natural form of vitamin E called alpha-tocotrienol can trigger production of a protein in the brain that clears toxins from nerve cells, preventing those cells from dying after a stroke, new research shows. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| GE and Mayo Clinic receive $5.7 million NIH grant to study dedicated MRI brain scanner technology |
| Driving new technologies that will help expand the availability of MRI scanners beyond the hospital to smaller clinic settings, GE Global Research, the technology development arm for the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), and Mayo Clinic, have received a five-year, $5.7 million grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, components of the National Institutes of Health. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| Gene Discovery Could Lead to New Stroke Treatments |
| In Study, Gene 'Signature' Linked to Unstable Plaque Associated With Strokes |
| August 4, 2011 |
| Genetic 'signature' discovered in plaque |
| Italian researchers may have identified a genetic "signature" for dangerous plaque that leads to stroke. |
| August 4, 2011 |
| Good news for rural stroke patients: Virtual stroke care appears cost-effective |
| In a first of its kind study, researchers have found that using two way audio-video telemedicine to deliver stroke care, also known as telestroke, appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals that don't have an around-the-clock neurologist, or stroke expert, on staff. The research is published in the September 14, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Good or bad: Surprises drive learning in same neural circuits |
| Primates learn from feedback that surprises them, and in a recent investigation of how that happens, neurosurgeons have learned something new. The insight they gleaned from examining the response of specific brain tissues during a learning task may inform future rehabilitative therapies after stroke or traumatic brain injury. |
| December 6, 2011 |
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| Hand Robot - a revolution of stroke therapy |
| Jointly developed by Dr Raymond Tong Kai-yu, Associate Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and the Industrial Centre, this Exoskeleton Hand Robotic Training Device works to recover the hand functions of stroke patients. It is made up of an embedded controller and a robotic hand module, which provide patients with assistive power to perform hand movements and gradually boost relearning in the brains of stroke patients. |
| August 4, 2011 |
| HDL in CAD patients different from HDL in healthy individuals |
| High levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) are associated with a decreased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) - a disease of the major arterial blood vessels that is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. This suggests that therapeutics that increase HDL levels could be clinically useful. However, such therapies have not yielded clear-cut decreases in disease, indicating that the beneficial effects of HDL are likely not related simply to its abundance. |
| June 24, 2011 |
| Health risks fade when women stop taking estrogen |
| Study finds those who take hormones for a short time don't have risks of stroke, blood clots |
| April 5, 2011 |
| Heart Disease and Stroke Worldwide Tied to National Income |
| An analysis of heart disease and stroke statistics collected in 192 countries by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the relative burden of the two diseases varies widely from country to country and is closely linked to national income, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. |
| July 8, 2011 |
| Heart Rehab Programs May Help Some Stroke Patients |
| Structured Rehab After Stroke May Save Lives, Researchers Say |
| September 23, 2011 |
| Heart surgeons-in-training benefit from hands-on homework |
| Residents in cardiac surgery who receive extra training on a take-home simulator do a better job once they get into the operating room, Dr. Buu-Khanh Lam today told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2011, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| Heart transplant surgery safe and effective: A Canadian retrospective spanning three decades |
| Heart transplantation is a very safe and effective therapy, according to a new long-term study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2011, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| Herbal amphetamine increases risk of death and stroke in those with heart disease |
| Chewing the natural stimulant khat increases the risk of death and stroke in patients with heart disease compared to those who are not users. |
| December 12, 2011 |
| High blood pressure, anemia put children with sickle cell disease at risk for silent strokes |
| A team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Vanderbilt University and elsewhere have demonstrated that high blood pressure and anemia together put children with sickle cell disease at serious danger for symptomless or so-called "silent" strokes, although either condition alone also signaled high risk. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| High levels of calcium in coronary arteries increase risk of stroke, heart attack |
| The presence of calcium in coronary arteries is a much better predictor of heart attack and stroke than C-reactive protein among people with normal levels of LDL cholesterol, according to a study of more than 2,000 people led by a Johns Hopkins heart specialist. |
| August 19, 2011 |
| High testosterone levels and lower heart risks tied together |
| A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports that higher natural levels of testosterone in elderly men may reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke. |
| October 06, 2011 |
| High-risk hearts: A South Asian epidemic |
| Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death and disability worldwide. For South Asians, though, this global killer poses an even more sinister threat. Over the past three decades, the incidence of heart attacks and strokes among South Asians has risen steeply. Today, South Asians, even those living in other countries, are considerably more likely to die prematurely from the disease than any other group. Moreover, the increase appears to be unrelenting. |
| June 30, 2011 |
| High-risk stroke patients more likely to get follow-up care after motivational talk |
| Even though many Americans learn through community health screenings that they are at high risk for having a stroke, they rarely follow-up with their doctor for care. |
| August 4, 2011 |
| Hormone Improves Long-Term Recovery from Stroke, Study Suggests |
| Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy have discovered an explanation of how stroke patients can achieve better recovery. A hormone that is associated with the growth hormone system has proved to benefit recovery during the later phases of rehabilitation after a stroke. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| Hospital team significantly reduced risk of further vascular events after 'mini strokes' |
| Patients who had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a "mini stroke", were much less likely to experience further vascular events in the first year if their care was co-ordinated by a special hospital team. |
| October 27, 2011 |
| How Long Do Stem Cells Live? |
| When patients receive a bone marrow transplant, they are getting a new population of hematopoietic stem cells. Fresh stem cells are needed when a patient is low on red blood cells, as in anemia, or white blood cells, which can be caused by cancer or even cancer treatments such as irradiation or chemotherapy. The problem is that a bone marrow transplant might not succeed because the transplanted stem cells don't live long enough or because they proliferate too well, leading to leukemia. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| HPV linked to cardiovascular disease in women |
| Women with cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke even when no conventional risk factors for CVD are present. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| HRPR before PCI procedures linked to increased risk of ischemic event in ACS patients |
| Among patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing a procedure such as angioplasty, those who received platelet function tests before receiving antithrombotic therapy to determine appropriate clopidogrel dosing and who had high residual platelet reactivity (platelets resistant to antithrombotic therapy) were at an increased risk of an ischemic event at short- and long-term follow-up of up to 2 years, according to a study in the September 21 issue of JAMA. |
| September 21, 2011 |
| Huge economic, social and personal burden of AF-related strokes across Latin America |
| Urgent coordinated action from national governments, medical societies and patient organizations is needed to avoid a public health crisis resulting from the tide of preventable strokes that leave many people with atrial fibrillation (AF) mentally and physically disabled or dead, every year. How Can We Avoid a Stroke Crisis in Latin America?, a report from Action for Stroke Prevention - a group of health experts from around the world - reveals the huge economic, social and personal burden of AF-related strokes across the region. Launched today at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 3rd Latin America Conference, the report proposes measures to tackle stroke in patients with AF, the most common, sustained abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| Huge gaps in use of simple, cheap and proven drugs worldwide |
| A global study in 17 countries led by McMaster University researchers has found too few patients are using drugs proven to give significant benefits in warding off a heart attack or stroke. |
| August 29, 2011 |
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| IL-1 gene inactivation may reduce severe clinical complications of atherosclerosis |
| Atherosclerosis is a disease of the major arterial blood vessels. It is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. The proinflammatory molecule IL-1 has been linked to atherosclerosis and a clinical trial has been launched in which an antibody specific for IL-1-beta is being studied for its effects on the severe clinical complications of atherosclerosis (i.e., heart attack and stroke). |
| December 28, 2011 |
| Imaging Utilization Affected by Patient Age and Facility Imaging Capacity, Study Suggests |
| Imaging utilization on stroke patients is affected by age and imaging capacity -- the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) machines at any given facility, according to a study in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| Improved recovery of motor function after stroke |
| After the acute treatment window closes, the only effective treatment for stroke is physical/occupational therapy. Now scientists from Children's Hospital Boston report a two-pronged molecular therapy that leads to significant recovery of skilled motor function in a rat model of stroke. Their findings are reported April 20 in the Journal of Neuroscience. |
| April 19, 2011 |
| Improving post-stroke rehabilitation with neurotransmitter |
| In many patients, fine motor skills remain impaired after a stroke. A recent study has shown that the neurotransmitter noradrenaline may be able to reduce such deficits. This finding could result in the development of a new therapeutic approach to the post-stroke rehabilitation of patients. |
| March 11, 2011 |
| Increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol reduces risk for heart attack and stroke among diabetics |
| Kaiser Permanente study also finds heart attack and stroke risk increase when 'good' cholesterol levels go down |
| October 07, 2011 |
| Increased Prevalence of Stroke Hospitalizations Seen in Teens and Young Adults |
| Ischemic stroke hospitalization rates in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 44 increased up to 37% between 1995 and 2008 according to a study conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings available September 1 in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society, report an increase in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lipid disorders, and tobacco use among this age group during the 14-year study period. |
| September 1, 2011 |
| Interactive video games appear to safely enhance physical therapy for ICU patients |
| Interactive video games, already known to improve motor function in recovering stroke patients, appear to safely enhance physical therapy for patients in intensive care units (ICU), new research from Johns Hopkins suggests. |
| October 04, 2011 |
| Interactive video games appear valuable for ICU patients |
| Interactive video games, already known to improve motor function in recovering stroke patients, appear to safely enhance physical therapy for patients in intensive care units (ICU), new research from Johns Hopkins suggests. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| International trial finds polypill halves predicted heart disease and stroke risk |
| The world's first international polypill trial has shown that a four-in-one combination pill can halve the predicted risk of heart disease and stroke. The results are published online today in the open access journal PLoS One. |
| May 25, 2011 |
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| JAMA commentary contends vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke |
| Vitamin B therapy was once widely used to lower homocysteine levels. Too much of this amino acid in the bloodstream was linked to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. But several randomized trials found lowering homocysteine levels with B vitamins did not result in a cardiovascular benefit. |
| December 21, 2011 |
| Jan Medical's Sonar-based Brain Imaging System Might Rapidly Diagnose Ischemic Strokes |
| Currently, when patients display the symptoms of an ischemic stroke, they have to go to a hospital for brain imaging before a proper diagnosis can be made. Jan Medical , Inc. claims that its new portable brain imaging system, based on a very interesting technology, will solve this problem by allowing doctors to quickly diagnose strokes in patients in the office or in those who are en route in an ambulance. |
| March 29, 2011 |
| Japanese PossessedHand Electric Wristband Moves Your Fingers For You |
| Researchers at Tokyo University, along with some help from Sony, created a device that straps onto your arm, sort of like a blood pressure cuff, and sends electrical signals to your fingers that can move them in precise ways. It's called, of course, the PossessedHand. |
| June 24, 2011 |
| JCPT publishes 'The Need for Increased Utilization of Statins After Occlusive Stroke' study |
| In the article, Hennekens points out that stroke is a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States and the recurrence rate after five years is approximately 33%. He emphasizes that increased utilization of statins for patients with stroke will produce statistically significant and clinically important reductions in their risks of future stroke, heart attack and death from cardiovascular disease. Statins produce statistically significant and clinically important beneficial effects on lipids, including decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides. |
| September 15, 2011 |
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| Large rehabilitation study looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet |
| In the largest stroke rehabilitation study ever conducted in the United States, stroke patients who had physical therapy at home improved their ability to walk just as well as those who were treated in a training program that requires the use of a body-weight supported treadmill device followed by walking practice. |
| May 25, 2011 |
| Less salt, less strokes, says new research |
| Speaking ahead of a United Nations High Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases, Professor Francesco Cappuccio from Warwick Medical School argues that lowering dietary salt intake has the potential to save millions of lives globally by substantially reducing levels of heart disease and strokes. |
| August 12, 2011 |
| Leukemia, psoriasis drugs may treat vascular diseases |
| A drug that has been on the market for decades to treat leukemia and skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis may be a possible therapy for vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. |
| May 27, 2011 |
| Limiting protein or certain amino acids before surgery may reduce risk of surgical complications |
| Limiting certain essential nutrients for several days before surgery--either protein or amino acids--may reduce the risk of serious surgical complications such as heart attack or stroke, according to a new Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) study. |
| January 25, 2012 |
| Long Periods of Estrogen Deprivation Jeopardizes Brain Receptors, Stroke Protection |
| Prolonged estrogen deprivation in aging rats dramatically reduces the number of brain receptors for the hormone as well as its ability to prevent strokes, researchers report. |
| August 2, 2011 |
| Longer-Term Follow-Up of Users of Estrogen Therapy Finds Some Changes in Risks |
| Among postmenopausal women with prior hysterectomy who had used estrogen therapy for about 6 years and then stopped, longer-term follow-up indicates that the increased risk of stroke seen during the intervention period had dissipated, the decreased risk of hip fracture was not maintained, while the decreased risk of breast cancer persisted, according to a study in the April 6 issue of JAMA. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| Lost in translation: Scientist studies the neural origins of speech disorders |
| It can be heart-wrenching to watch a loved one try to verbally express him- or herself after suffering stroke-induced brain damage known as conduction aphasia. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| Lower Stroke Death Risk in Close-Knit Neighborhoods |
| Study Suggests Health Benefits for People Who Have Supportive Neighbors |
| April 14, 2011 |
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| 'Mini Strokes' Linked to Lower Life Expectancy |
| Study Highlights the Importance of Taking Mini Strokes Seriously |
| November 14, 2011 |
| Magnet Therapy May Help Stroke Survivors Recover |
| Treatment May Help Retrain the Brain Along With Current Therapy |
| December 14, 2011 |
| Magnesium-Rich Foods May Lower Stroke Risk |
| Study: Risk for One Type of Stroke Lower in People With More Magnesium in Diet |
| January 20, 2012 |
| Magnetic treatment improves stroke patients' ability to communicate |
| Dr. Caroline Barwood, who recently completed her PhD at UQ's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, conducted the research and found significant improvement in the language skills of stroke patients after they underwent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. |
| November 15, 2011 |
| Making temporary changes to brain could speed up learning, study reports |
| In a breakthrough that may aid treatment of learning impairments, strokes, tinnitus and chronic pain, UT Dallas researchers have found that brain nerve stimulation accelerates learning in laboratory tests. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| Many Strokes Occur in Sleep, Preventing Treatment |
| Study Shows 14% of Strokes Are So-Called 'Wake-Up' Strokes |
| May 9, 2011 |
| Many Young Adults May Have High Blood Pressure |
| Study Shows Nearly 19% of Young Adults May Have Hypertension |
| May 25, 2011 |
| Maternal consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy reduces risk of childhood obesity |
| New research shows a possible connection between the risk of childhood obesity and maternal consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. Intake of the omega-3s found in seafood is also linked to reduced risk of recurrent breast cancer, stroke in women and early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These findings and more are summarized in the April 2011 PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life e-newsletters for health professionals and consumers, respectively. |
| April 27, 2011 |
| Medgadget Q&A: Novel "Through-the-Nipple" Intraductal Delivery of Breast Cancer Drugs |
| Cancer is a disease of excess. Cells become malignant when they lose the signals that tell them to stop growing and dividing; therefore, the cells most susceptible to becoming cancerous are those that are already used to proliferating. Whereas most neurons last a lifetime, epithelial cells replicate often: the skin is renewed every two months and intestinal epithelium every 3-6 days. |
| November 14, 2011 |
| Metabolic syndrome may cause kidney disease |
| Metabolic syndrome comprises a group of medical disorders that increase people's risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature death when they occur together. A patient is diagnosed with the syndrome when he or she exhibits three or more of the following characteristics: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat in the waist/abdomen, low good cholesterol, and higher levels of fatty acids (the building blocks of fat). |
| August 19, 2011 |
| Midlife Blood Pressure Predicts Future Heart Risk |
| High Blood Pressure in Middle Age Linked to Later Heart Attack, Stroke |
| December 19, 2011 |
| Mild stroke patients may live with hidden disabilities: Study |
| On the surface they appear unaffected, but people who have mild strokes may live with hidden disabilities, including depression, vision problems and difficulty thinking, according to a study released today at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| MindFrame establishes ischemic stroke Registry |
| MindFrame Inc. today announces the establishment of an ischemic stroke Registry that will collect real-world clinical and procedural data through a secure web-based portal accessible only to registered clinician members. The goal is to support clinicians in advancing knowledge around the use of mechanical thrombectomy technologies for the treatment of patients suffering from ischemic stroke. |
| December 23, 2011 |
| Mini-stroke doubles risk of heart attack |
| Patients who have suffered a "mini stroke" are at twice the risk of heart attack than the general population, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| March 24, 2011 |
| Moderate Exercise May Cut Risk of 'Silent' Stroke |
| Study Shows Moderate to Intense Activity May Decrease Chances of Having Silent Stroke |
| June 8, 2011 |
| Moderate to intense exercise may protect the brain |
| Older people who regularly exercise at a moderate to intense level may be less likely to develop the small brain lesions, sometimes referred to as "silent strokes," that are the first sign of cerebrovascular disease, according to a new study published in the June 8, 2011, online issue of Neurology. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| More neurology residents comfortable using stroke clot-busting drug |
| The percentage of graduating neurology residents comfortable treating stroke with a clot-busting drug has increased dramatically over the past 10 years, according to research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| August 4, 2011 |
| More Screening Needed to Identify Depression, Vision Loss After Mild Stroke |
| On the surface they appear unaffected, but people who have mild strokes may live with hidden disabilities, including depression, vision problems and difficulty thinking, according to a study released October 3 at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| Multitasking Meds: Scientists Discover How Drug for Leukemia, Psoriasis, May Tackle Vascular Disease |
| A drug that has been on the market for decades to treat leukemia and skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis may be a possible therapy for vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. |
| May 26, 2011 |
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| NetApp accused of short-stroking its new hardness |
| NetApp's bombshell NFS benchmark record has generated accusations that it is artificially boosting performance by short-stroking disks behind the scenes and scaling up rather than out. |
| November 8, 2011 |
| Neuro Signals Study Gives New Insight Into Brain Disorders |
| Research into how the brain transmits messages to other parts of the body could improve understanding of disorders such as epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| NeuroLogica's inSPira HD SPECT Gets European Approval |
| NeuroLogica received the European CE Mark for the inSPira HD SPECT system. The battery powered system received U.S. FDA approval two years ago. It can be moved between different hospital units as needed and provides a look at cerebral blood flow distribution in patients with Alzheimer's, epilepsy, post-stroke and other conditions.NeuroLogica claims that proprietary technology within its SPECT camera provides a considerably higher spatial resolution than any other SPECT on the market. |
| August 17, 2011 |
| Neuroscientist says a critical protein prevents secondary damage after stroke |
| One of two proteins that regulate nerve cells and assist in overall brain function may be the key to preventing long-term damage as a result of a stroke, the leading cause of disability and third leading cause of death in the United States. |
| November 2, 2011 |
| Neuroscientist Says Protein Could Prevent Secondary Damage After Stroke |
| One of two proteins that regulate nerve cells and assist in overall brain function may be the key to preventing long-term damage as a result of a stroke, the leading cause of disability and third leading cause of death in the United States. |
| November 2, 2011 |
| New book for stroke survivors, their caretakers, family and friends |
| Jeff Kagan just wrote his new book "Life After Stroke, On The Road To Recovery." It is written for stroke survivors, their caretakers, family and friends. |
| March 11, 2011 |
| New Canadian Blood Pressure Education Program a Powerful Tool in Fight to Reduce Stroke |
| This morning, Dr. Sheldon Tobe, Chair of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) and a long-standing Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher, unveiled a new and powerful tool in the management of hypertension at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) Scientific Meeting -- The Heart&Stroke Hypertension Management Program. |
| May 25, 2011 |
| New clue to brain bleeding after stroke treatment |
| The only medication currently approved for stroke treatment — tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves blood clots — is associated with an increased risk of bleeding in the brain, particularly among patients with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). A study led by Raymond A. Swanson, MD, chief of the neurology and rehabilitation service at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, provides a possible reason: high blood sugar fuels the formation of superoxide, a toxic form of oxygen, which in turn damages tissues, weakens blood vessels and promotes excess bleeding. |
| October 17, 2011 |
| New Device Uses Submarine Technology to Diagnose Stroke Quickly |
| A medical device developed by retired U.S. Navy sonar experts, using submarine technology, is a new paradigm for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of stroke, says a team of interventional radiologists at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 36th Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago, Ill. Each type of stroke and brain trauma is detected, identified and located using a simple headset and portable laptop-based console. The device's portability and speed of initial diagnosis (under a couple of minutes) make it appropriate for many uses outside of the hospital setting, including by military doctors in theater who need to assess situations quickly and efficiently in order to provide critically injured troops with treatment. |
| March 29, 2011 |
| New Drug Target for Alzheimer's, Stroke Discovered |
| A tiny piece of a critical receptor that fuels the brain and without which sentient beings cannot live has been discovered by University at Buffalo scientists as a promising new drug target for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. |
| October 11, 2011 |
| New Move to Use Robots for Stroke Rehabilitation |
| Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have just begun a three-year project, which uses robots to help people to recover from strokes. |
| December 6, 2011 |
| New report finds improvements in hospital performance |
| Meanwhile, Reuters reports on the quality of weekend care at stroke centers and nursing homes are trying to reduce their use of powerful antipsychotic drugs for patients with dementia. |
| September 16, 2011 |
| New Research to Help Stroke Patients Who Can't Swallow |
| A simple function that most of us take for granted -- swallowing -- is the focus of University of Adelaide research that could help thousands of stroke sufferers around the world. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| New sensor glove may help stroke patients recover mobility |
| People who have strokes are often left with moderate to severe physical impairments. Now, thanks to a glove developed at McGill, stroke patients may be able to recover hand motion by playing video games. The Biomedical Sensor Glove was developed by four final-year McGill Mechanical Engineering undergrads under the supervision of Professor Rosaire Mongrain. It is designed to allow patients to exercise in their own homes with minimal supervision, while at the same time permitting doctors to monitor their progress from a distance, thus cutting down on hospital visits and costs. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| New study finds potential link between daily consumption of diet soft drinks and risk of vascular events |
| Individuals who drink diet soft drinks on a daily basis may be at increased risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular death. |
| January 31, 2012 |
| New study finds timely acute care could cut the cost of stroke cost |
| New research published in the journal Age and Ageing suggests that timely acute care immediately after a stroke reduces the level of disability in stroke survivors and the associated need for long-term care, therefore reducing aftercare costs. |
| December 1, 2011 |
| New study suggests link between chronic estrogen exposure and high blood pressure |
| For many years doctors believed the estrogen women consumed in the form of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) pills was good for their patients' hearts. Recent studies however have shown that long-term exposure to estrogen can be a danger to women as it has been associated with high blood pressure, a key link to heart- and brain-attacks (strokes). Although the process by which estrogen induces high blood pressure in females is unclear, Michigan State University (MSU) researchers have found that long-term estrogen exposure generates excessive levels of a compound, superoxide, which causes stress in the body. The build-up of this compound occurs in an area of the brain that is crucial to regulating blood pressure, suggesting that chronic estrogen induces a build up of superoxide that in turn causes blood pressure to increase. The study also found that the anti-oxidant resveratrol reverses the increase in both superoxide and blood pressure. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| New test to better predict heart attack risk in women |
| The biggest killer of women over the age of 50 is heart disease. By age 65 women have the same heart attack or stroke risk as men and a greater risk of dying from either. To help better predict heart attack risk in these women, Atherotech Diagnostics Lab has developed a new and better way to test for heart disease risk. The new test will soon be available exclusively through Atherotech Diagnostics Lab. |
| August 26, 2011 |
| New treadmill significantly improves rehabilitation |
| Learning to walk again after a stroke, broken hip or amputation can now be made a lot more realistic thanks to a new treadmill. The so-called C-Mill has been developed by NWO researcher Melvyn Roerdink (VU University Amsterdam) and is gradually entering rehabilitation practice in the Netherlands and abroad. |
| September 16, 2011 |
| New Treatment Dissolves Blood Clots in Brain Tissue |
| A new treatment that treats a subset of stroke patients by combining minimally invasive surgery, an imaging technique likened to "GPS for the brain," and the clot-busting drug t-PA appears to be safe and effective, according to a multicenter clinical trial led by Johns Hopkins researchers. |
| May 27, 2011 |
| New-onset AF, severe sepsis may increase risk of stroke and mortality in hospital settings |
| A recent study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine shows an increased risk of stroke and mortality among patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and new-onset atrial fibrillation during hospitalization. |
| November 14, 2011 |
| Next generation gamers: Computer games aid recovery from stroke |
| Computer games are not just for kids. New research published in Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, a BioMed Central open access journal, shows that computer games can speed up and improve a patient's recovery from paralysis after a stroke. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| Niacin Does Not Reduce Heart Attack, Stroke Risk in Stable CV Patients |
| In patients whose bad cholesterol is very well-controlled by statins for a long time period, the addition of high-dose, extended release niacin did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. |
| November 15, 2011 |
| NIH stops clinical trial on combination cholesterol treatment |
| The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped a clinical trial studying a blood lipid treatment 18 months earlier than planned. The trial found that adding high dose, extended-release niacin to statin treatment in people with heart and vascular disease, did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and stroke. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| NIH study finds stroke risk factors may lead to cognitive problems |
| High blood pressure and other known risk factors for stroke also increase the risk of developing cognitive problems, even among people who have never had a stroke, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health has found. |
| November 7, 2011 |
| Noninvasive brain stimulation may improve swallowing after stroke |
| Stroke patients who received electrical brain stimulation coupled with swallowing exercises showed greater improvement in swallowing ability than patients who did not receive this stimulation, according to a pilot study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| March 24, 2011 |
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| Older people who engage in moderate to intense exercise less likely to have silent strokes |
| Older people who regularly exercise at a moderate to intense level may be less likely to develop the small brain lesions, sometimes referred to as "silent strokes," that are the first sign of cerebrovascular disease, according to a new study published in the June 8, 2011, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). |
| June 9, 2011 |
| Olive oil could lower stroke risk: study |
| Older people who eat olive oil have a lower risk of stroke than those who do not, suggested a study of more than 7,000 French people that was published Wednesday in the United States. |
| June 15, 2011 |
| Omega-3s Reduce Stroke Severity, Study Suggests |
| A diet rich in omega-3s reduces the severity of brain damage after a stroke, according to a study conducted by Université Laval researchers. The team, co-directed by professors Jasna Kriz and Frédéric Calon, showed that the extent of brain damage following a stroke was reduced by 25% in mice that consumed DHA type omega-3s daily. Details of the study can be found on the website of the journal Stroke. |
| August 25, 2011 |
| Optimism associated with lower risk of having stroke |
| A positive outlook on life might lower your risk of having a stroke, according to new research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| July 21, 2011 |
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| Patients with type 2 diabetes can benefit from metformin than other drugs |
| New research suggests that several commonly prescribed drugs for type 2 diabetes may not be as effective at preventing death and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and stroke, as the oral anti-diabetic drug, metformin. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| Persons With Sleep Apnea Have Twice the Risk of Suffering a Stroke |
| According to research presented at the School of Medicine and the University of Navarra Hospital by Dr. Roberto Muñoz, a physician of the Neurology Service of the Hospital Complex of Navarra, those persons with serious cases of sleep apnea have 2.5 times more the possibility of suffering an ischemic stroke. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| Pioneering stroke stem cell study moves to next stage |
| A ground-breaking clinical study into the effects of a new stem cell therapy has received approval to progress to its next stage of development. |
| September 2, 2011 |
| Professional dental cleanings may reduce risk of heart attack, stroke |
| Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study (Abstract 17704) from Taiwan presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011. |
| November 13, 2011 |
| Portable robotic device, videogames can help patients to recover from stroke |
| Today 15 million persons throughout the world suffer from an ictus every year and 5 million are left with chronic disabilities. FIK designed a system for alleviating neuromuscular disability amongst these patients from their homes and by which these can be permanently supervised by the therapist who will be able to carry out a quantitative evaluation of the therapy. To this end, they have brought together new technologies and entertainment and a greater quality of rehabilitation. |
| July 20, 2011 |
| Post-Stroke Depression Threatens Independence |
| Severe Depression May Affect Function in Stroke Patients, Making Them More Dependent on Others for Help |
| March 15, 2011 |
| Potential stroke treatment may extend time to prevent brain damage |
| A naturally occurring substance shrank the size of stroke-induced lesions in the brains of experimental mice — even when administered as much as 12 hours after the event, Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have shown. The substance, alpha-B-crystallin, acts as a brake on the immune system, lowering levels of inflammatory molecules whose actions are responsible for substantial brain damage above and beyond that caused by the initial oxygen deprivation of a stroke. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| Prehypertension may increase risk of stroke |
| Even people with blood pressure that is slightly above normal may be at an increased risk of stroke, according to a review of studies published in the September 28, 2011, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| Prevention measures needed to address major risk of falls after stroke |
| Almost 60 per cent of people who have a stroke experience one or more falls afterwards — most often in their own homes — and some are left with serious injuries, according to a study released today at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| Psoriasis may increase stroke risk, study says |
| The skin condition psoriasis may increase the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, a new Danish study says. |
| August 18, 2011 |
| Putting stroke patients in charge improves quality of life |
| Community rehabilitation interventions for stroke patients have not had a great track record of delivering measurable improvements. But new research from New Zealand focused on Maori and Pacific populations shows how a cheap and simple intervention that puts the patient and families in charge can make a difference to their quality of life. |
| November 15, 2011 |
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| RBC transfusion linked to improved survival after intracerebral hemorrhage |
| In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)—a type of stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain—transfusion with red blood cells may improve the chances of survival, reports a study in the May issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health. |
| May 3, 2011 |
| RE-LY trial results suggest Pradaxa capsule reduces risk of stroke in AF patients |
| Two new retrospective subanalyses of the RE-LY® trial, involving Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules, suggested that the reduction in stroke risk achieved with PRADAXA 150mg over warfarin occurred irrespective of CHA2DS2-VASc risk score and the type of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) (permanent, persistent and paroxysmal). The results were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 60th Annual Scientific Session. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| Regeneration after a stroke requires intact communication channels between the two halves of the brain |
| The structure of the corpus callosum, a thick band of nerve fibres that connects the two halves of the brain with each other and in this way enables the rapid exchange of information between the left and right hemispheres, plays an important role in the regaining of motor skills following a stroke. |
| November 21, 2011 |
| Regional Differences in the Care of Acute Stroke Patients |
| Considerable regional differences exist in the treatment of patients with acute cerebral infarction. This is the finding presented by Erwin Stolz and his co-authors in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. |
| September 9, 2011 |
| Regular aspirin may not be good for all: Study |
| Researchers suggest that healthy individuals who take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke could be doing more harm than good. An analysis of more than 100,000 patients, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded the risk of internal bleeding was too high. The UK-led study said only people with a history of heart problems or stroke should take the tablets. Experts however added that any decision should be made with a doctor. |
| January 11, 2012 |
| Repeated stress produces long-lasting resistance to stroke damage in the brain |
| An innate protective response that makes the brain resistant to injury from stroke can be made to last for months longer than previously documented, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report. |
| March 24, 2011 |
| Research Identifies Key Reasons Racial Disparities Exist in Emergent Stroke Treatment |
| African-Americans are less likely than whites to receive critical stroke treatment primarily because they do not get to a hospital soon enough for time-sensitive treatment and because of preexisting medical conditions, according to new research. For patients who are eligible for treatment, no racial disparity was found. |
| June 30, 2011 |
| Researchers Develop New Treatment for Stroke-Affected Patients Using Carbon Nanotubes |
| Researchers of the Nanomedicine Lab at the University of London's The School of Pharmacy and the Neuroscience Institute at the National Research Centre in Pisa, Italy, have utilized carbon nanotubes to rescue brain cells by silencing genes, resulting in a new treatment for stroke. |
| June 21, 2011 |
| Researchers Focus On Secondary Stroke Prevention After Study Reveals Room for Improvement |
| A year after hospital discharge, the majority of stroke patients are listening to doctor's orders when it comes to taking their prescribed secondary stroke prevention medications, new data out of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows. However, there is room for improvement, according to investigators. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| Researchers identify drug target for atherosclerosis |
| UC Davis researchers have made a significant step forward in the search for ways to reduce heart attack and stroke risk. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| Researchers identify structure of apolipoprotein |
| Using a sophisticated technique of x-ray crystallography, researchers Xiaohu Mei, PhD, and David Atkinson, PhD, from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have for the first time obtained an "image" of the structure and the precise arrangement of the atoms in a truncated form of the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) molecule. The findings, which appear in the November issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, may lead to the development of new drugs to treat obesity, stroke and diabetes. |
| November 4, 2011 |
| Researchers rewrite textbook on location of brain's speech processing center |
| Scientists have long believed that human speech is processed towards the back of the brain's cerebral cortex, behind auditory cortex where all sounds are received -- a place famously known as Wernicke's area after the German neurologist who proposed this site in the late 1800s based on his study of brain injuries and strokes. |
| January 30, 2012 |
| Researchers supply major results for understanding the thalamus, the 'relay center' of the brain |
| The thalamus is the central translator in the brain: Specialized nerve cells receive information from the sensory organs, process it, and transmit it deep into the brain. Researchers from the Institute of Toxicology and Genetics of KIT have now identified the genetic factors Lhx2 and Lhx9 responsible for the development of these neurons. |
| December 14, 2011 |
| Researchers, clinicians seek progress on vasospasm |
| The commonly heard phrase "complications from stroke" can cover a wide variety of medical issues, including seizures and swelling of the brain. |
| July 8, 2011 |
| Retraining the brain -- All is not lost, despite aging, injuries, or mental illness |
| Our mature brains may not be so old and inflexible after all. Scientists are discovering that the human brain can improve its performance to counter the consequences of cognitive impairment and even the trauma of stroke-induced brain damage. |
| November 18, 2011 |
| Review of stroke treatment could save lives |
| Doctors are underutilising crucial medication to prevent deadly strokes in those with a common type of heart condition, new research says, leading to fresh calls for a review of current treatment strategies and more research into stroke prevention. |
| September 30, 2011 |
| Rewiring the brain to regain control after stroke |
| Kris Appel was a federal employee for 17 years, working for the National Security Agency, when she realized she wanted to join the ranks of America's entrepreneurs. |
| September 23, 2011 |
| Risk for Heart Attack, Stroke May Be Underestimated |
| Study: Someone at Low Risk for Heart Disease in the Short-Term May Be at High Risk Later in Life, if They Have Just One or Two Risk Factors |
| January 25, 2012 |
| Risk Measurement Tool for Heart Attacks and Strokes Updated |
| The number of heart attack and stroke incidents in Europe is likely to reduce with the imminent launch of an update to the HeartScore® application. HeartScore® was first developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in 2004, and it helps clinicians rapidly estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individual patients using age, gender, basic health indicators, and lifestyle factors. The results from the model are then used to shape intervention and advice regimes aimed at lowering CVD risk. Following feedback, HeartScore® has been updated to incorporate a number of new features that will enhance its value as part of CVD prevention strategies. |
| August 26, 2011 |
| Risk of blood clots in veins hereditary |
| Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke. Researchers at the Centre for Primary Health Care Research in Malmo have mapped the significance of hereditary factors for venous thromboembolism in the entire Swedish population by studying the risk of VTE in children of parents with VTE compared with the children of parents who have not had VTE. |
| May 31, 2011 |
| Risk of Blood Clots in Veins: Hereditary Factors Studied in Swedish Study |
| Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke. Researchers at the Centre for Primary Health Care Research in Malmö have mapped the significance of hereditary factors for venous thromboembolism in the entire Swedish population by studying the risk of VTE in children of parents with VTE compared with the children of parents who have not had VTE. |
| May 30, 2011 |
| Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) Gets Positive Recommendation for AF and DVT in Europe |
| The European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended that rivaroxaban (Xarelto) be approved for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in AF and also for the treatment of DVT and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE following acute DVT, according to Bayer HealthCare, which is developing the drug in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson. |
| September 23, 2011 |
| Robotic therapy may provide lasting gains for immobilized stroke survivors |
| Severely impaired stroke survivors could walk better when a robotic assist system was added to conventional rehabilitation |
| December 15, 2011 |
| Russia targets beer in fight against alcoholism |
| With a stroke of the presidential pen, beer was recently reclassified as an alcoholic drink in Russia, no longer a foodstuff, and its sales are to be restricted to cut alcohol abuse. |
| September 14, 2011 |
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| SCI patients with autonomic dysfunction more likely to develop heart disease |
| New research from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation may help explain why people with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a higher risk of developing heart disease. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| Scientists Develop New Technology for Stroke Rehabilitation |
| Devices which could be used to rehabilitate the arms and hands of people who have experienced a stroke have been developed by researchers at the University of Southampton. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| Scientists discover how brain corrects bumps to body |
| Researchers have identified the area of the brain that controls our ability to correct our movement after we've been hit or bumped -- a finding that may have implications for understanding why subjects with stroke often have severe difficulties moving. |
| December 5, 2011 |
| Scientists Find Way to Block Stress-Related Cell Death: New Drug Target for Heart Attack, Stroke and Parkinson's Disease? |
| Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have uncovered a potentially important new therapeutic target that could prevent stress-related cell death, a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, as well as heart attack and stroke. |
| June 2, 2011 |
| Scientists unlock potential of frog skin to treat cancer |
| Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have discovered proteins in frog skins which could be used to treat cancer, diabetes, stroke and transplant patients by regulating the growth of blood vessels. |
| June 7, 2011 |
| Sexual activity is safe for most heart, stroke patients |
| If you have stable cardiovascular disease, it is more than likely that you can safely engage in sexual activity, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement. |
| January 19, 2012 |
| Severe psoriasis linked to major adverse cardiovascular events |
| Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, and if severe, has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, the degree to which psoriasis is associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death has not been defined. Now, new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has revealed an increased incidence of MACE in patients with severe psoriasis. |
| April 4, 2011 |
| Severe Sepsis, New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Associated With Increased Risk of Hospital Stroke, Death |
| A recent study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine shows an increased risk of stroke and mortality among patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and new-onset atrial fibrillation during hospitalization. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| Shopping simulator leads to better therapy |
| A virtual reality system that will enable occupational therapists at the Repatriation General Hospital to better assess stroke victims will be launched today by Minister for Ageing Jennifer Rankine. |
| May 13, 2011 |
| Siblings of Those With Blood Clots in Leg Have Higher Risk of Same Disorder |
| Siblings of those who have been hospitalized with potentially lethal blood clots in the legs or pelvis are more likely to also suffer the disorder than those with healthy siblings, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| August 8, 2011 |
| Simple injection could limit damage from heart attacks and stroke |
| This weeks Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) will publish a fascinating new milestone achievement in the search for novel clinical therapies to significantly reduce the loss of tissue and organ-functions following the loss of blood supply in widespread and serious human pathologies such as heart attacks (myocardial infarction) and strokes (cerebral ischemia). This new therapy was also shown to significantly improve the outcome of transplant surgery and of any surgical procedure that involves the temporary loss of blood supply. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| Simulation improves cardiac surgical training results |
| Residents in cardiac surgery who receive extra training on a take-home simulator do a better job once they get into the operating room, Dr. Buu-Khanh Lam today told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2011, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| Singing After Stroke? Why Rhythm and Formulaic Phrases May Be More Important Than Melody |
| Patients with serious speech disorders are often able to sing complete texts. However, melody may not be the decisive factor. |
| September 22, 2011 |
| SLAC invention measures stroke damage in the brain |
| A technique SLAC scientists invented for scanning ancient manuscripts is now being used to probe the human brain, in research that could lead to new medical imaging methods and better treatments for stroke and other brain conditions |
| September 28, 2011 |
| Sleep Apnea Treatment May Lower Heart Risks |
| Study: CPAP Can Lower Many Risk Factors for Heart Disease, Stroke |
| December 15, 2011 |
| SMARTPATCH May Soon Reduce Post Stroke Shoulder Pain |
| MedCity News is reporting that SPR Therapeutics of Cleveland, Ohio is close to receiving FDA regulatory approval for its SMARTPATCH Peripheral Nerve Stimulation System aimed at treating shoulder pain in patients post stroke. The device utilizes percutaneous leads to stimulate muscle activity and in turn reduce pain. |
| April 12, 2011 |
| Smoking Causes Stroke to Occur, Study Suggests |
| Not only are smokers twice as likely to have strokes, they are almost a decade younger than non-smokers when they have them, according to a study presented October 3 at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| Smokers May Get Strokes 10 Years Before Nonsmokers |
| Smoking is considered one of the major risk factors for strokes. Now research shows that smokers tend to have strokes close to one full decade earlier than nonsmokers. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| Some diabetes drugs are better than others, according to new study |
| New research suggests that several commonly prescribed drugs for type 2 diabetes may not be as effective at preventing death and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and stroke, as the oral anti-diabetic drug, metformin. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| Spinal cord injuries associated with increased risk of heart disease |
| New research from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation may help explain why people with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a higher risk of developing heart disease. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| Stenting for stroke prevention becoming safer in high-risk patients |
| Placing a stent in a key artery in the neck is safer than ever in patients ineligible for the standard surgical treatment of carotid artery disease, according to a new study published online today in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. |
| January 11, 2012 |
| Stressful Choices for Surrogate Treatment Decision Makers |
| Study Shows Long-Term Emotional Impact for People Who Make Treatment Decisions for Ill Loved Ones |
| March 2, 2011 |
| Stroke incidence higher among patients with certain type of retinal vascular disease |
| Patients with a disease known as retinal vein occlusion (RVO) have a significantly higher incidence of stroke when compared with persons who do not have RVO, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| Stroke patients benefit from family involvement in exercise therapy |
| Your family's involvement in your exercise therapy could significantly improve your function and recovery after stroke, according to a study in the March print issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| Stroke Prevention Lifestyle Tips |
| Prevention of a second stroke starts by addressing conditions that caused the first stroke, such as atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause blood to clot) or narrowing of a carotid artery in the neck. Treatment is also aimed at other factors that put you at risk, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. But it takes more than just your doctor's efforts. You also have an important role to play in preventing stroke. It's up to you to make lifestyle changes that can lower your risk. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| Stroke rate 25 percent higher for Metis |
| The stroke rate among Manitoba Metis is nearly 25 percent higher than for other Manitobans, according to a study by the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) presented today at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 04, 2011 |
| Stroke Recovery and Rehab: 10 Important Questions |
| After a stroke, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about how -- and even if -- you will recover. When will you be able to move your affected limbs? Will you ever be able to speak clearly? Is your independent life gone forever? |
| June 10, 2011 |
| Stroke Recovery: Tips for the Caregiver |
| If you are caring for a stroke survivor, you may have a lot of questions about whether your loved one will recover and what his or her needs will be in the months and years ahead. You may also worry about how you will manage in your new role. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| Stroke risk in pregnant women 2.4 times higher |
| High blood pressure during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide. |
| July 8, 2011 |
| Stroke risk increases with even small rises in blood pressure |
| Small rises of blood pressure may greatly increase a person's risk of stroke, according to new research. The study review, published in the journal Neurology, analyzed the results of 12 studies on blood pressure and stroke incidences among a total of 518,520 adults. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| Stroke survival among seniors better in sociable neighborhoods |
| The odds of surviving stroke appear to be much better for seniors living in neighborhoods where they interact more often with their neighbors and count on them for help, according to research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. |
| April 14, 2011 |
| Stroke: Restructuring the brain |
| Neuroscientists are exploring the structural changes in the brain's white and grey matter that underlie learning. Understanding the precise cellular nature of those changes may improve diagnosis of brain damage and therapeutic interventions in stroke. |
| December 6, 2011 |
| Strokes in Children and Young Adults on the Rise |
| Researchers Say Findings Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Lifestyle Improvements |
| September 1, 2011 |
| Strokes striking younger patients, but where do they turn? |
| When Kate Watts fell ill with pneumonia in both lungs last year, doctors at a hospital in Sebring, Fla., put her into a medically induced coma to help her recover. |
| March 25, 2011 |
| Studies on heart disease and stroke prevention overlook ethnic groups |
| Major clinical studies that evaluate prevention strategies for heart disease and stroke fail to consider a participant's ethnicity, a factor that can more than double the rate of death in some groups, according to research led by St. Michael's Dr. Joel Ray. |
| March 17, 2011 |
| Study Examines New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After TAVI |
| The broad enthusiasm for TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) as it enters the marketplace has been partially offset by concerns about an increased risk of stroke associated with the procedure. |
| December 14, 2011 |
| Study evaluates 'normal range' systolic bp levels after ischemic stroke and risk of recurrent stroke |
| Among patients who experienced an ischemic stroke, systolic blood pressure levels of less than 120 mm Hg, or higher than 140 mm Hg, were associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke |
| November 15, 2011 |
| Study Finds That iPhone App Can Make Accurate Stroke Diagnosis |
| Researchers from the University of Calgary have shown that doctors can make a stroke diagnosis using an iPhone application just as accurately (and faster) than they can on a traditional computer. In a study recently published by Journal of Medical Internet Research, two neuro-radiologists looked at 120 consecutive noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) scans and 70 computed tomography angiogram (CTA) head scans. One used a diagnostic workstation and the other using Calgary Scientific's ResolutionMD Mobile app. The study results showed that using the ResolutionMD app is between 94%-100% accurate in diagnosing acute stroke, compared to a medical workstation. |
| May 10, 2011 |
| Study identifies 'silent' stroke risk factors for children with sickle cell anemia |
| Factors such as low hemoglobin levels, increased systolic blood pressure, and male gender are linked to a higher risk of silent cerebral infarcts, or silent strokes, in children with sickle cell anemia, according to results from a large, first-of-its-kind study published online today in Blood |
| November 17, 2011 |
| Study of cox-2 inhibitors could lead to new class of stroke drugs |
| A study, in mice, by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine points toward potential new therapies for stroke, the nation's third-leading cause of death and foremost single cause of severe neurological disability. The study, which will be published online Oct. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, also may reveal why a much-heralded class of blockbuster drugs failed to live up to their promise. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| Study shows ability of new agent to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation |
| In the primary result from the largest double-blind study ever completed to assess a drug's effect in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm abnormality, rivaroxaban, an anti-clotting drug, was shown to be an attractive alternative to warfarin, the current standard for treatment of atrial fibrillation. |
| August 10, 2011 |
| Study shows degeneration of corpus callosum in stroke patients with impaired hand movement |
| Recovery depends on the exchange of information between the 2 halves of the brain |
| November 22, 2011 |
| Study shows stroke patients can improve walking ability |
| Stroke patients regain walking ability through at-home strength and balance exercise provided by a physical therapist just as well as when they participate in programs that practice the actual task of walking using a treadmill and partial body weight support, according to a study published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. |
| May 27, 2011 |
| Study shows stroke prevention clinics reduce one-year mortality rates by over 25 percent |
| Research led by Dr. Vladimir Hachinski of The University of Western Ontario reveals just how important it is for patients to be referred to a stroke prevention clinic following either a mild stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The study, published in the journal Stroke in November, showed a 26% reduction in one-year mortality rates among those referred to a stroke prevention clinic. |
| November 7, 2011 |
| Study suggests way to bring stroke treatment in from the cold |
| Investigating the mechanism behind a common emergency medical procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia, a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) has found a potential new target for drugs that would help protect patients against brain damage after heart attacks or stroke. |
| April 22, 2011 |
| Study uses new stem cell therapy in patients up to 19 days after stroke |
| The first Texas patient has been enrolled by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in the country's first double-blind clinical trial studying the safety and efficacy of an innovative stem cell therapy that can be given up to 19 days after an ischemic stroke. |
| July 14, 2011 |
| Study: Most at-risk patients don't adhere to statin treatment, despite real benefits |
| A new study from North Carolina State University shows that the vast majority of patients at high risk for heart disease or stroke do a poor job of taking statins as prescribed. That's especially unfortunate, because the same study shows that taking statins can significantly increase the quality and length of those patients' lives. |
| May 12, 2011 |
| Study: New Anticlotting Drug Beats Warfarin |
| Eliquis More Effective at Preventing Strokes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation |
| August 29, 2011 |
| Surgery to prevent stroke causes too many complications |
| An operation for preventing repeat strokes in high-risk patients has failed in a multi-institutional clinical trial |
| November 15, 2011 |
| Surgery to stop strokes reroutes vessels from torso to brain |
| Five-year-old Ava Menefee was suffering frightening stroke-like episodes: One side of her face would temporarily droop, or she’d lose all sensation in one hand. Although the girl had undergone surgery to fix the faulty blood flow to her brain that caused the episodes, the operation had failed. |
| December 12, 2011 |
| Surgical procedure does not appear to reduce risk of subsequent stroke after 'mini-stroke' |
| Patients with thickening and blockage of the internal carotid artery (supplies blood to the brain) and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia (insufficient blood flow to the brain, sub-type of stroke) who had a surgical procedure performed to improve blood flow in the artery did not have a reduced rate of stroke after 2 years compared to similar patients who received medical therapy alone, according to a study in the Nov. 9 issue of JAMA. |
| November 8, 2011 |
| Susceptibility-weighted imaging can improve detection of and treatment for stroke patients |
| A new study shows that susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a powerful tool for characterizing infarctions (stroke) in patients earlier and directing more prompt treatment. |
| May 4, 2011 |
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| TARDIS trial seeks new dimension in stroke treatment |
| People who suffer from acute stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA, a mini stroke) could get better treatment in the future thanks to the expansion of a large clinical trial of a new combination of drugs led by researchers at The University of Nottingham. |
| October 17, 2011 |
| Teenage stroke -- a frightening trend |
| Stroke has generally been considered a disease of the elderly, but the incidence of stroke in children and teens has increased in recent years. The American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2011 Data indicate that the unhealthy behaviors that are the risk factors for stroke begin with school-aged children. |
| August 25, 2011 |
| Telemedicine 'robot' allows stroke specialists to remotely evaluate patients in oak park |
| Acute stroke patients who arrive at Rush Oak Park Hospital's emergency room can now be seen immediately by a Rush University Medical Center stroke neurologist without the specialist actually being there. |
| May 9, 2011 |
| Telestroke appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals |
| In a first of its kind study, researchers have found that using two way audio-video telemedicine to deliver stroke care, also known as telestroke, appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals that don't have an around-the-clock neurologist, or stroke expert, on staff. The research is published in the September 14, 2011, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
| September 15, 2011 |
| Telestroke the next best thing |
| The use of long-distance video and data hookups to link remote community hospitals with stroke neurologists in large centres provides the same level of care as having everyone in the same room, according to a new study presented today at the Canadian Stroke Congress. |
| October 04, 2011 |
| Temporarily Opening Up the Blood-Brain Barrier Using Ultrasound Waves |
| The blood-brain barrier is a major hurdle for drugs targeted at areas within the brain. We previously reported on the use of focused ultrasound waves to penetrate the barrier almost five years ago, but since then some major advancements have been made. MIT Technology Review is reporting that a startup company called Perfusion Technology is now developing a technique that uses a slightly different approach, bathing the brain in ultrasound waves rather than creating focal defects. They use a specially designed headset to expose the entire brain to low-intensity ultrasound waves for an hour-long treatment session. |
| April 27, 2011 |
| The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AHA Releases Update of Heart and Stroke Statistics |
| Once again, statistics on the cardiovascular health of the United States portray a complicated picture of improvement and decline. On the one hand, deaths from cardiovascular disease continue to decline. On the other hand, ominous trends, many stemming from the increase in obesity, suggest that the good news may not last much longer. |
| December 15, 2011 |
| The Medical Minute: Pipes in the brain as treatment for aneurysms |
| Brain aneurysms are balloon-like out-pouchings that can develop off of brain arteries. Like balloons, these out-pouchings can burst causing a devastating type of stroke as blood leaks in and around the brain. |
| December 9, 2011 |
| The Medical Minute: Stroke awareness |
| A stroke is sudden brain injury caused by a sudden vascular (blood vessel) compromise. There are two major types of strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked by clot or other debris. This is the most common type, comprising approximately 85 percent of all strokes. The other type, hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when a blood vessel or aneurysm ruptures and blood spreads in and around the brain. Strokes can be mild, or can be quite disabling, even fatal, depending on the brain area involved and the type of stroke. |
| May 30, 2011 |
| The smart shoe |
| Researchers from University of Twente's MIRA research institute, The Netherlands, have developed a shoe that can show exactly how a person walks. The shoe contains a range of sensors which measure the foot's movements and the forces exerted on the ground. The shoe has primarily been developed to help the rehabilitation of stroke patients who are coping with paralysis on one side of the body. In the long term, the researchers expect to achieve many more applications, for example in sport at the highest level. Xsens, a University of Twente spin-off company, is bringing the shoe onto the market. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| THERAPY trial to evaluate benefits of catheter-based intervention for acute ischemic stroke |
| During the opening session of the SNIS Annual Meeting, J Mocco, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at The University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, announced the IDE approval and initiation of THERAPY, an industry-sponsored randomized controlled trial designed to prove the clinical benefit of interventional treatment of acute ischemic stroke. This first-ever landmark initiative could significantly impact the delivery of stroke treatment services in hospitals across the nation. |
| July 26, 2011 |
| Thirty two projects to receive €1M donation for prevention of AF-related stroke |
| Last night at an award ceremony in Paris, the 32 winning projects of the global disease awareness initiative 1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke were announced. The projects were chosen by the public and a panel of experts. They will be awarded a share of the €1 million donation to fulfil the overall mission of preventing as many as one million atrial fibrillation (AF)-related strokes through awareness campaigns. 1 Mission 1 Million is supported by over 45 third-party organisations around the world and is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. |
| August 29, 2011 |
| Three new research initiatives to study how design of neighbourhoods impact obesity |
| The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced three new research initiatives studying how the design of neighbourhoods impact obesity. The studies were funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC). |
| March 9, 2011 |
| Tibion Bionic Leg for Active Robotic Stroke Rehabilitation |
| A couple years ago we wrote about a powered knee orthosis from Tibion Bionic Technologies developed for people with muscle problems, arthritis, and those post surgery to regain missing strength. A potential use of the Tibion bionic leg that was considered in the past was to help those suffering from the residual effects of a stroke to regain walking skills. Two years since, the company has reinvented its strategy, redesigned the device, and discovered that stroke patients can benefit greatly from the therapeutic advantages of the system. |
| April 25, 2011 |
| Time is of the essence when it comes to stroke treatment |
| But a new image guided technique could help shift the criterion from one that is determined by how long after the start of symptoms a patient receives medical care, suggests a small US study published online in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. |
| September 20, 2011 |
| Tiny electric currents may aid stroke recovery |
| Tiny electric currents applied across regions of the brain can improve hand movements in recovering stroke patients for a short period, an Oxford University study has demonstrated. |
| December 8, 2011 |
| Tips for avoiding heat stroke |
| As a major heat wave sweeps over the country, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital has already treated one patient for heat stroke and is gearing up for more. |
| July 13, 2011 |
| Toshiba Launches Aplio 300 and 500 Ultrasound Systems |
| Toshiba is launching two ultrasound systems in the United States, the Aplio 300 and 500. The Aplio 300 is a pretty standard ultrasound machine that is meant to be a clinical workhorse for all routine ultrasound exams, including radiology, OB/GYN and cardiac. |
| November 28, 2011 |
| Treatment for minority stroke patients improves at top-ranked hospitals |
| After years of research have shown that minorities do not receive the same quality of health care as whites do, a new study suggests there has been some improvement in reducing the gap, at least for stroke patients. |
| June 21, 2011 |
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| UK doctors still undertreating atrial fibrillation - major risk factor for stroke |
| Despite significant improvements in stroke prevention over the past decade, and a fall in incidence and deaths, UK doctors are still undertreating one of the major risk factors - atrial fibrillation - reveals research published in BMJ Open. |
| October 13, 2011 |
| Undetected strokes increase risk |
| Everyday, 1,000 people in Canada turn 65, entering a stage of life that has increasing risk of stroke and Alzheimer's disease. |
| October 04, 2011 |
| University of Kentucky offers stroke stem cell trial |
| The University of Kentucky will be the first site in the state and one of a select few in the entire country participating in the first stages of a groundbreaking study to investigate the effects of MultiStem, a human adult stem cell product, on patients with acute ischemic stroke. The phase II clinical trial, known as Atherys stroke protocol B01-02, was recently approved by UK's institutional review board. |
| January 13, 2012 |
| Updated Guideline to Promote Better Management of Peripheral Artery Disease |
| Peripheral artery disease, or "PAD," is a common and dangerous condition that affects tens of millions of Americans -- often unknowingly -- and can restrict blood flow to the legs, kidneys or other vital organs. PAD, which remains underdiagnosed, is often a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in the heart, brain or legs and, if untreated, it is one of the most common causes of preventable heart attack, stroke, leg amputations and death. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| USC scientists explore motor memory to foster better rehabilitation for stroke patients |
| For the first time, scientists at USC have unlocked a mechanism behind the way short- and long-term motor memory work together and compete against one another. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Use of Key Clot-Busting Stroke Drug Is Rising |
| Study Shows More Americans Are Now Using tPA in the Hours After a Stroke |
| June 2, 2011 |
| UTHealth Phase I trial: Bone marrow stem cell therapy feasible, safe for acute stroke patients |
| Using a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to treat acute stroke is feasible and safe, according to the results of a ground-breaking Phase I trial at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). |
| September 2, 2011 |
| V |
| Vegetarians May Be at Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes and Stroke |
| Vegetarians experience a 36 percent lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than non-vegetarians, suggests new research from Loma Linda University published in the journal Diabetes Care. Because metabolic syndrome can be a precursor to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, the findings indicate vegetarians may be at lower risk of developing these conditions. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| Video games effective treatment for stroke patients: study |
| Patients who played video games, such as Wii and Playstation, were up to five times more likely to show improvements in arm motor function compared to those who had standard therapy. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| Virtual reality may help adults recover from stroke |
| Early results suggest that using virtual reality (VR) human-computer interfaces might help adult stroke patients regain arm function and improve their ability to perform standard tasks, when compared to patients who don't use VR. The findings are reported in a new review published in The Cochrane Library. |
| September 7, 2011 |
| W |
| What are the long term outcomes following stroke? |
| Despite the recognition of stroke as a major contributor to disability and mortality worldwide, little is known about the long-term outcomes among individuals who survive a stroke. In a research study reported by Charles Wolfe from King's College London and colleagues, the researchers examine outcomes for up to ten years in a cohort of people surviving their first-ever stroke in an inner city area of London, UK. |
| May 17, 2011 |
| Why smokers are thinner? Nicotine triggered appetite suppression site identified in brain |
| It is widely known that smoking inhibits appetite, but what is not known, is what triggers this process in the brain. Now researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, participating in a Yale University School of Medicine-led study, have identified the nicotine receptors that influence the anorexigenic signaling pathway, or appetite suppression pathway. |
| June 9, 2011 |
| Window of opportunity to treat some stroke patients may be longer than originally suspected |
| Stroke victims may have a longer window of opportunity to receive treatment to save their brain cells, demonstrates a literature review published by University of Alberta medical researchers in Lancet Neurology. |
| September 27, 2011 |
| Woman can literally feel the noise |
| A case of a 36-year-old woman who began to literally 'feel' noise about a year and a half after suffering a stroke sparked a new research project by neuroscientist Tony Ro from the City College of New York and the Graduate Center of the City University. Research and imagery of the brain revealed that a link had grown between the woman's auditory region and the somatosensory region, essentially connecting her hearing to her touch sensation. |
| May 30, 2011 |
| Women chocoholics run smaller risk of strokes: Swedish study |
| Have a sweet tooth? It could protect you from a stroke, according to a large Swedish study published Tuesday on women chocolate-lovers. |
| October 11, 2011 |
| World's best metronome enables slow-motion pictures of atoms and molecules |
| The world's most accurate metronome keeps stroke to an incredible 10 quintillionth of a second. The device enables slow-motion pictures from the world of molecules and atoms, scientists from the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) in Hamburg, Germany, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) report. The metronome, an ultrashort pulse laser, acting as an optical flywheel, is currently the most precise clock generator on short time scales. |
| January 17, 2012 |
| Y |
| Yoga helped older stroke victims improve balance, endurance |
| An Indiana University study that exposed older veterans with stroke to yoga produced "exciting" results as researchers explore whether this popular mind-body practice can help stroke victims cope with their increased risk for painful and even deadly falls. |
| June 4, 2011 |
| Young Adults' Beliefs About Their Health Clash With Risky Behaviors |
| The results are part of a survey of 1,248 Americans ages 18-44 on their attitudes about health, including influences of and beliefs about health behaviors and their risks for stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in America. |
| May 2, 2011 |