An Unusual Cause of Vertebral Artery Dissection: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Brain-supplying arterial dissection is considered one of the most common vascular causes of stroke in younger patients. Dissections are usually preceded by trauma or mechanical stress; the vascular stressor may be trivial as this condition has been described in association with manipulation and stretching the neck. Here we describe a case of vertebral artery dissection and stroke following esophagogastroduodenoscopy. This case highlights a potentially serious complication that may occur after procedures that require hyperextension of the neck

Mechanism of Action and Clinical Potential of Fingolimod for the Treatment of Stroke

Fingolimod (FTY720) is an orally bio-available immunomodulatory drug currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Currently, there is a significant interest in the potential benefits of FTY720 on stroke outcomes. FTY720 and the sphingolipid signaling pathway it modulates has a ubiquitous presence in the central nervous system and both rodent models and pilot clinical trials seem to indicate that the drug may improve overall functional recovery in different stroke subtypes. Although the precise mechanisms behind these beneficial effects are yet unclear, there is evidence that FTY720 has a role in regulating cerebrovascular responses, blood brain barrier permeability, and cell survival in the event of cerebrovascular insult. In this article, we critically review the data obtained from the latest laboratory findings and clinical trials involving both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and attempt to form a cohesive picture of FTY720’s mechanisms of action in strok

Intraventricular Hemorrhage Severity as a Predictor of Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background/Objective: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) extension after spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is an independent predictor of worse outcome. However, there is a paucity of data looking at the degree of IVH severity and its impact on outcome. This study addresses the contribution of IVH severity to outcome at time of hospital discharge after sICH.Methods: Two hundred and ten patients were included in the study. Baseline demographic and radiologic characteristics were abstracted. First available CT scans were reviewed for hematoma volume and location, IVH extension and presence of hydrocephalus (HCP). IVH severity was calculated using Graeb scale. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to investigate the association of IVH severity with poor outcomes at hospital discharge, defined as modified Rankin scale score (mRS) >3.Results: Fifty-three percent of patients had IVH extension while 18% had surgical procedures done. Poor outcome (mRS >3) was seen for 56% of patients. Median IVH extension severity on the Graeb scale was two. Presence of IVH was associated with poor outcome in univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.005). Compared to patients with no IVH, IVH severity influenced outcome only when Graeb scores were ≥5 (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 0.49–3.23, p = 0.63, and OR = 2.9, 95% CI, 1.1–7.6, p = 0.03 for Graeb <5 and ≥5, respectively.Conclusions: Higher IVH severity (defined as Graeb score ≥5) is associated with worse outcome at time of hospital discharge, while lower IVH severity (Graeb scores 1–4) has similar outcomes to patients without IVH. IVH severity should be used in favor of IVH presence for prognostication purposes

Hearing Loss and Associated 7-Year Cognitive Outcomes Among Hispanic and Latino Adults

Importance: Hearing loss appears to have adverse effects on cognition and increases risk for cognitive impairment. These associations have not been thoroughly investigated in the Hispanic and Latino population, which faces hearing health disparities. Objective: To examine associations between hearing loss with 7-year cognitive change and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prevalence among a diverse cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from a large community health survey of Hispanic Latino adults in 4 major US cities. Eligible participants were aged 50 years or older at their second visit to study field centers. Cognitive data were collected at visit 1 and visit 2, an average of 7 years later. Data were last analyzed between September 2023 and January 2024. Exposure: Hearing loss at visit 1 was defined as a pure-tone average (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) greater than 25 dB hearing loss in the better ear. Main outcomes and measures: Cognitive data were collected at visit 1 and visit 2, an average of 7 years later and included measures of episodic learning and memory (the Brief-Spanish English Verbal Learning Test Sum of Trials and Delayed Recall), verbal fluency (word fluency-phonemic fluency), executive functioning (Trails Making Test-Trail B), and processing speed (Digit-Symbol Substitution, Trails Making Test-Trail A). MCI at visit 2 was defined using the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer Association criteria. Results: A total of 6113 Hispanic Latino adults were included (mean [SD] age, 56.4 [8.1] years; 3919 women [64.1%]). Hearing loss at visit 1 was associated with worse cognitive performance at 7-year follow-up (global cognition: β = -0.11 [95% CI, -0.18 to -0.05]), equivalent to 4.6 years of aging and greater adverse change (slowing) in processing speed (β = -0.12 [95% CI, -0.23 to -0.003]) equivalent to 5.4 years of cognitive change due to aging. There were no associations with MCI. Conclusions and relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that hearing loss decreases cognitive performance and increases rate of adverse change in processing speed. These findings underscore the need to prevent, assess, and treat hearing loss in the Hispanic and Latino community

Defining Optimal Brain Health in Adults A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Cognitive function is an important component of aging and predicts quality of life, functional independence, and risk of institutionalization. Advances in our understanding of the role of cardiovascular risks have shown them to be closely associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Because many cardiovascular risks are modifiable, it may be possible to maintain brain health and to prevent dementia in later life. The purpose of this American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association presidential advisory is to provide an initial definition of optimal brain health in adults and guidance on how to maintain brain health. We identify metrics to define optimal brain health in adults based on inclusion of factors that could be measured, monitored, and modified. From these practical considerations, we identified 7 metrics to define optimal brain health in adults that originated from AHA's Life's Simple 7: 4 ideal health behaviors (nonsmoking, physical activity at goal levels, healthy diet consistent with current guideline levels, and body mass index < 25 kg/m(2)) and 3 ideal health factors (untreated blood pressure < 120/< 80 mm Hg, untreated total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL, and fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL). In addition, in relation to maintenance of cognitive health, we recommend following previously published guidance from the AHA/American Stroke Association, Institute of Medicine, and Alzheimer's Association that incorporates control of cardiovascular risks and suggest social engagement and other related strategies. We define optimal brain health but recognize that the truly ideal circumstance may be uncommon because there is a continuum of brain health as demonstrated by AHA's Life's Simple 7. Therefore, there is opportunity to improve brain health through primordial prevention and other interventions. Furthermore, although cardiovascular risks align well with brain health, we acknowledge that other factors differing from those related to cardiovascular health may drive cognitive health. Defining optimal brain health in adults and its maintenance is consistent with the AHA's Strategic Impact Goal to improve cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% and to reduce deaths resulting from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20% by the year 2020. This work in defining optimal brain health in adults serves to provide the AHA/American Stroke Association with a foundation for a new strategic direction going forward in cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention

Cardiovascular disease risk exacerbates brain aging among Hispanic/Latino adults in the SOL-INCA-MRI Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino adults while reports on the prevalence of MRI infarcts are not well documented. We, therefore, sought to examine the relationships between CVD risk factors and infarcts with brain structure among Hispanic/Latino individuals. Methods: Participants included 1,886 Hispanic/Latino adults (50-85 years) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the Study of Latinos - Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging-MRI (SOL-INCA-MRI) study. CVD risk was measured approximately 10.5 years prior to MRI using the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score, a measure of 10-year CVD risk (Low (<10%), Medium (10-<20%) and High (≥20%)). MR infarcts were determined as present or absent. Outcomes included total brain, cerebral and lobar cortical gray matter, hippocampal, lateral ventricle, and total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes. Linear regression models tested associations between CVD risk and infarct with MRI outcomes and for modifications by age and sex. Results: Sixty percent of participants were at medium or high CVD risk. Medium and high CVD risk were associated with lower total brain and frontal gray matter and higher WMH volumes compared to those with low CVD risk. High CVD risk was additionally associated with lower total cortical gray matter and parietal volumes and larger lateral ventricle volumes. Men tended to have greater CVDRF-related differences in total brain volumes than women. The association of CVD risk factors on total brain volumes increased with age equal to an approximate 7-year increase in total brain aging among the high CVD risk group compared to the low risk group. The presence of infarct(s) was associated with lower total brain volumes which was equal to an approximate 5-year increase in brain aging compared to individuals without infarcts. Infarcts were also associated with smaller total cortical gray matter, frontal, and parietal volumes and larger lateral ventricle and WMH volumes. Conclusions: The high prevalence of CVD risk among Hispanic/Latino adults may be associated with accelerated brain aging

Advances and ongoing controversies in patent foramen ovale closure and cryptogenic stroke

Up to a third of strokes are cryptogenic. The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke is higher than in individuals with stroke of known origin. It has been proposed that some cryptogenic strokes can be caused by paradoxic embolism across a PFO. The treatment of PFO includes medical treatment with antithrombotic agents and percutaneous PFO closure. There is limited evidence to support PFO closure in unselected cases of cryptogenic stroke. However, large randomized clinical trials confirmed the superiority of transcatheter PFO closure compared with medical treatment in young patients with cryptogenic stroke

Advances and ongoing controversies in PFO closure and cryptogenic stroke

Approximately one-third of strokes are cryptogenic in origin. These patients have a higher prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) compared to individuals with stroke of known origin. It has been proposed that some cryptogenic strokes (CSs) can be caused by paradoxical embolism across a PFO. PFOs can be treated medically with antithrombotic agents and percutaneously with occluder devices. Large randomized clinical trials have found transcatheter PFO closure to be superior to medical treatment for the prevention of recurrent stroke in young patients with CS. However, the superiority of PFO closure over medical treatment in unselected populations has not been demonstrated. In this chapter, we review the evidence supporting PFO closure and the selection of patients for such intervention

Effect of sex on outcome after recurrent stroke in African Americans: results from the African American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study

Background: Sex-related disparities in stroke have been previously reported. However, the influence of sex on the outcome of recurrent stroke in blacks is less clear. Our objective is to investigate the effect of sex on the outcome of recurrent non-fatal stroke in the African American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study (AAASPS) Methods: The AAASPS is a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of recurrent stroke. Participants -967 black women and 842 black men- with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke were assigned to receive ticlopidine or aspirin and followed for up to two years. The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Barthel score (mBS), and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were determined at enrollment, at pre-specified times thereafter and at the time of recurrent stroke. Survival analysis was used to test for a significant difference in the time to recurrent stroke between women and men. Results: Of the total 1,809 subjects enrolled in AAASPS, 186 subjects (89 women and 97 men) suffered recurrent non-fatal stroke. At enrollment, the NIHSS (2.87 for women and 3.00 for men; p=0.73), the mBS (18.26 for women and 18.52 for men; p=0.47) and the GOS (1.49 for women and 1.51 for men; p=0.86) were not significantly different. In follow-up and at the time of stroke recurrence, the NIHSS, mBS, and GOS were similar for both groups, except for the mBS at the 6-month visit, which was lower in women (18.49) than in men (19.37) (p=0.02). In the survival analysis, no significant difference in the time to recurrent stroke was found between women and men (p=0.69). Conclusions: Although sex-related stroke disparities have been reported, in the AAASPS cohort outcomes for recurrent non-fatal non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke for women were not significantly different than for men. Differences in study populations and methodologies may explain discrepancies in results from the various studies