Andreas Fhager, a biomedical engineer at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, adjusts the Strokefinder device on a test subject's head. But to pick the right treatment, doctors must find the underlying cause of the stroke fast. Most strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow in the brain. For the best results, treatment of those strokes with clotbusting drugs should start less than 90 minutes after onset. But a significant fraction of strokes around 1 in 5 are caused by burst blood vessels. In these cases, clotbusting drugs cause catastrophic bleeding. In part because of the high risk, fewer than 8 percent of stroke patients receive treatment with clotbusters. But an odd-looking device under development in Sweden may one day help doctors diagnose the cause of stroke more rapidly. The device, which researchers dubbed "Strokefinder," was inspired by computerized simulations devised to investigate the effect of cellphone radiation on the brain. "We realized that when you change the brain it changes the wave patterns from mobile phones going through the brain, and we looked into the possibility that these wave patterns could detect brain trauma," biomedical engineer and Strokefinder designer Mikael Persson tells Shots. The Strokefinder prototype consists … Continue reading →

By Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. DEAR DOCTOR K: What are the warning signs of stroke? Why is it important to be able to recognize them? DEAR READER: Nothing makes me sadder than to see someone suffer a stroke that could have been avoided. Not all strokes can be avoided, but many produce warning symptoms that can trigger preventive actions if they are recognized. Your brain relies on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood to do everything. When the blood supply to any part of your brain is suddenly interrupted, it can have serious effects. You may lose strength, have trouble coordinating your movements, and have trouble speaking or understanding what people are saying to you. You may not be able to think clearly or remember things. You may have trouble seeing or hearing. A stroke occurs when an injury to a blood vessel deprives a part of the brain of its constant blood supply. As a result, brain cells can die, taking with them the ability to move, speak, feel or think. If the brains blood supply is quickly restored, a person may recover from a stroke with little or no disability. Thats why it is vital to recognize the … Continue reading →

Stockton, CA (PRWEB) June 16, 2014 With decades of experience in neuroplasticity and emerging medical technologies, Anne Burleigh Jacobs, PT, PhD is convinced that better assisting stroke survivors begins with a change in attitude from the medical community. Jacobs new book, Highs, Lows, and Plateaus is an easy-to-understand guide to recovery after a stroke or brain injury. It challenges health care professionals who concentrate on helping patients to cope rather than understand their condition and explores breakthrough treatment options. The book provides hope and inspiration for continuum along the path of recovery, Jacobs said. Each step along the path is supported by basic science, concepts of neuroplasticity and the resilience of the human spirit. Topics discussed include but are not limited to warning signs of a stroke, emergency treatment of a stroke, potential of the brain and nervous system to reorganize and recover and lastly a variety of treatment techniques as well as mechanical, robotic, and bionic tools that Jacobs believes are the future of rehabilitation. For more information, please visit http://www.sensomotor.com. Highs, Lows, and Plateaus: A path to recovery from stroke By Anne Burleigh Jacobs, PT, PhD Price: $14.95 ISBN: 978-1-4918-6231-5 Available at: Amazon, AuthorHouse and Barnes and Noble … Continue reading →