Strokesaurus

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Sub-cortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy is an inherited disorder caused by mutations in a gene called Notch 3. CADASIL causes thickening of blood vessel walls blocks the flow of blood to the brain.  It is the most common genetic cause of stroke and vascular dementia in adults. CADASIL is characterised by migraine headaches and multiple strokes.

Capacity refers to a level of cognitive ability required before a person can lawfully do various things. If a person has capacity, they are able to make decisions for themselves. If they do not, an alternative decision maker may be needed.

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A doctor who specialises in treating disorders of the heart, including heart disease.

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Composed of the heart and blood vessels, the cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body to supply it with oxygen and nutrients.

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Artery located on either side of the neck that supplies the brain with blood.

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Also known as a carotid duplex. An ultrasound test that looks at the arteries in the neck that supply the brain. This is to see how well the blood flows through these arteries.

For similar information see Types of stroke

Also known as a carotid doppler. An ultrasound test that looks at the arteries in the neck that supply the brain. This is to see how well the blood flows through these arteries.

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An operation to unblock narrowed carotid arteries in your neck.

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Small tube for withdrawing or introducing fluids.

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Part of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and cranial nerves.

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Pain caused by damage to an area in the thalamus. The pain is a mixture of sensations, including heat and cold, burning, tingling, numbness, and sharp stabbing and underlying aching pain.

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Headache.

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The part of the brain that controls the complex, voluntary movement of the muscles and helps maintain posture and balance.

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This is a build-up of a protein called amyloid in small blood vessels in the brain. The protein can damage the blood vessels and lead to bleeding, which can cause a haemorrhagic stroke.

Often the bleeding from CAA is very small and known as “microbleeds”. You might not know you have had microbleeds until they are picked up by brain imaging.

CAA is more common in older people and in people who have dementia, but sometimes it can be inherited.

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A contrast (dye) is injected into the blood vessels of the brain. This outlines them for the X-ray machine to take pictures.

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A bleed in the brain following a ruptured blood vessel.

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An area of brain tissue that has not received its blood supply and as a result it has been damaged. An infarct can be tiny or affect a larger part of the brain.

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The brain.

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Damage to the brain.

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A reduction in the supply of blood to the brain either by narrowing of the arteries through the buildup of plaque on the inside walls of the arteries  (stenosis) or through blockage of an artery due to a blood clot.

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A fatty substance present in blood. If cholesterol levels become too high the fatty substance can build up along artery walls.

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Continuing for a long time or constantly recurring.

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A research program conducted with patients to evaluate a new medical treatment, drug or device.

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The process of administering the drug rt-PA intravenously to break up a blood clot.

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A procedure used to return blood flow to the brain. A tiny tube is inserted through an artery to the blocked blood vessel in the brain. A wire stent or suction device captures the blood clot and allows it to be pulled back out.

See Procedures

Coagulation or clotting is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel.

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Thinking ability, including memory, thinking, language and judgment.

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Short term, solution-focused approach to counselling that helps individuals to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and learn or relearn healthier skills and habits.

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Difficulty with thinking, memory, thinking, language and judgment.

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Information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

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Also known as a CT scan. X-ray imaging technique that uses a computer to produce cross-sectional images. It can be used to identify the blood vessels in the brain affected by stroke.

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Automatic control of bladder and bowel function.

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Shortening of a muscle, resulting in the joint becoming fixed in one position.

For similar information see Arm and hand function or Leg functioning

Medical reasons that prevents a person from using a certain drug or treatment.

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Research that involves at least two groups: one that receives the intervention being evaluated and the other that receives either a placebo or another intervention.

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Seizures, epileptic fit.

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See Warfarin.

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CT stands for computerised tomography. X-ray imaging technique that uses a computer to produce cross-sectional images. It can be used to identify the blood vessels in the brain affected by stroke.

For similar information see Procedures