Stroke Aetiology and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

Which artery is associated with impairments in memory and language functions?

Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) (correct)

Cerebellar Artery

Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)

Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)

What is the primary factor causing a cerebral stroke as indicated in the content?

Dehydration of brain tissue

Increased intracranial pressure

Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid

Disturbed blood flow resulting in reduced oxygen supply (correct)

Broca's aphasia is primarily linked to damage in which part of the brain?

Cerebellar region

Middle Cerebral Artery region (correct)

Anterior Cerebral Artery region

Posterior Cerebral Artery region

Which type of stroke involves a blockage caused by a blood clot from elsewhere in the body?

Embolic stroke Signup and view all the answers

What does inertia in meaningful movements and gestures indicate?

Apraxia Signup and view all the answers

What immediate symptom might indicate a cognitive stroke?

Drooping of one side of the face Signup and view all the answers

In which cognitive domain is anterograde amnesia most commonly observed?

Learning new information Signup and view all the answers

Impairment in speech comprehension is generally attributed to which type of aphasia?

Wernicke's Aphasia Signup and view all the answers

What condition results from a reduction in the blood supply to the brain?

Cerebral ischemia Signup and view all the answers

Which side of the body is typically affected by symptoms during a cerebral stroke?

The opposite side of the brain affected Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of strokes typically occur in the area of the Middle Cerebral Artery?

80% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes one of the main consequences of a cerebral stroke?

Permanent neurological damage Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive impairment relates specifically to memory formation and retrieval?

Amnesia Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an ischemic stroke from other types of strokes?

It results from obstruction of blood flow Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is least likely to be associated with language impairment?

Cerebellar Artery Signup and view all the answers

What physiological change occurs during the initial phase of a cerebral stroke?

Acute loss of function in the affected body region Signup and view all the answers

What is a common vascular risk factor associated with small vessel disease and accelerated cognitive decline?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological change is often observed in patients with small vessel disease?

Cerebral microbleeds Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of lifestyle is considered modifiable and can influence vascular risk?

Dietary habits Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stroke is indicated by a small subcortical lesion found in the posterior limb of the left internal capsule?

Small vessel stroke Signup and view all the answers

What effect does aging have on vascular risk factors relative to cognitive health?

Increases the prevalence of vascular risk factors Signup and view all the answers

Which imaging technique was used to identify an acute small subcortical stroke in the patient?

MRI Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle factor has been correlated with an increase in small vessel disease prevalence?

Obesity Signup and view all the answers

In the context of vascular risk, which of the following statements is true regarding modifiable risk factors?

They can be managed through lifestyle alterations Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated to enhance cognitive functioning in older adults over time?

Regular physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a lack of physical activity have on cerebral perfusion?

Decreases cerebral perfusion Signup and view all the answers

What was the average age of participants in the study that examined the effects of physical activity on brain health?

78 years Signup and view all the answers

In a short exercise intervention study, how often did participants exercise per week?

Two to three times a week Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant result associated with maintaining physical activity as older adults age?

Improvement in brain health Signup and view all the answers

Following the exercise intervention for elderly participants, which cognitive functions were assessed?

Executive functioning and psychomotor speed Signup and view all the answers

What study design was primarily used to assess physical activity's effects on cognitive health in older adults?

Longitudinal cohort study Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the exercise intervention after 4 weeks?

Immediate improvement in cognitive functions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes transient ischaemic attacks (TIA)?

They are temporary events with symptoms specific to an area of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients experience cognitive impairments in the acute phase following a stroke?

49% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a determinant of cognitive recovery after a stroke?

Gender Signup and view all the answers

What is noted about patients classified as 'unimpaired' after a stroke?

They remain unimpaired after six months. Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive domain showed improvement in prevalence of impairment from the acute phase to follow-up assessment?

Perception/construction Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome for many individuals three months after a TIA?

Persistent cognitive problems reported. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cognitive recovery is emphasized based on lesion location rather than lesion volume?

Progress and dynamic recovery. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients had cognitive impairments at the follow-up assessment after a stroke?

31% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aetiology

A stroke occurs when a part of the brain is deprived of oxygen due to a disturbed blood flow.
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of cognitive stroke.

Characteristics

A blockage, blood clot, or embolism closes an artery in the brain or bloodstream.
Reduced supply of oxygen leads to damage.

Symptoms

Dropping of function of the face, body, or difficulty speaking.
Usually affects one side of the body.

Staying Conscious

FRY: Face, Right Arm, and You.

Types

Embolic stroke involves a clot that travels from another part of the body to the brain.
Large vs. small vessel disease in cerebral white matter can lead to microbleeds and hyperintensities.
Lacunes are small, deep brain infarcts that may be associated with cognitive impairment.

Vascular Risk Factors and SVD: Aging

Vascular risk factors increase with age and contribute to cognitive decline.
Unhealthy lifestyles, such as obesity and sedentary behavior, increase the risk of dementia.

Types and Severity of Cognitive Impairment

Type and severity of cognitive impairment relate to the area of the brain affected by a stroke.
Different arteries supply different regions of the brain.
The Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) is affected in 80% of strokes.

Language

The MCA supplies the left hemisphere, which is dominant for language in most people.
Damage to this area can lead to language impairments, such as Broca's aphasia (speech problems) and Wernicke's aphasia (comprehension problems).

Cerebral Perfusion and Physical Activity

More physical activity improves cerebral perfusion, which is blood flow to the brain.
Less physical activity leads to lower cerebral perfusion.

The Effect of Physical Activity on Brain Health

Consistent physical activity at older ages can improve brain health.
Study of 299 participants (average age 78) showed that those who stayed physically active had better brain health after 9 years.

Exercise as an Intervention

Short-term exercise interventions can improve cognitive functioning in older adults.
Study of 16 older adults (age 72.1) showed improved executive functioning and psychomotor speed after 4 weeks of exercise.

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

A brief ischemic event that causes temporary focal symptoms impacting a specific area of the brain.
Abnormalities often appear on brain scans.
Increased risk of having a stroke.

Cognitive Recovery after CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Many people experience cognitive problems after a TIA, even three months later.
Impairments are noticeable on neuropsychological assessments.

Cognitive Recovery After Stroke

Approximately 49% of patients experience cognitive impairments in the acute phase of a stroke, but this number decreases to 31% at follow-up.
Recovery is dependent on the affected cognitive domain and location of the stroke.
‘Unimpaired’ patients remain unimpaired after six months.
Other groups show improvement, which can be attributed to dynamic recovery and cognitive reserve.

Stroke Severity and Location

Stroke severity relates to the size of the hemorrhage and location of the rupture.
Small strategic infarcts can sometimes lead to dementia, even with a small lesion volume.
Schooling and age contribute to cognitive reserve, which can impact recovery.

Life After Stroke

A video demonstrates the impact of a stroke on a patient who experienced a stroke affecting the circle of vessels that supply the brain.
The damage led to paralysis.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the aetiology, characteristics, and symptoms of strokes, particularly ischemic strokes. Understand the types of strokes, their effects on the brain, and the vascular risk factors related to aging. Test your knowledge and learn about the critical signs and symptoms associated with stroke.