Stroke

WHAT IS A STROKE?

The brain needs oxygen to keep nerve cells alive and healthy.  Hence, when the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain is disrupted – because of a blood clot or a bleed in the brain – a stroke can occur.

The size and location of a stroke will determine how much damage it causes – some strokes are barely noticeable while others lead to paralysis, coma and even death.  Further, a stroke can affect a person’s ability to speak or control the muscles on one side of their body. 

A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) – which is also referred to as a ‘minor’ or ‘mini’ stroke – describes strokes where the symptoms disappear within 24 hours.  Unfortunately many people ignore TIA symptoms as they disappear quickly, however one in five people who have a TIA will suffer a major stroke within three months. 

Strokes are medical emergencies and help should be sought immediately.

QBI RESEARCH

After a stroke, patients experience both acute (necrotic) and delayed (apoptotic) cell death, which causes people to struggle with simple tasks, such as walking and speaking. 

QBI neuroscientist Dr Elizabeth Coulson has uncovered a novel cell death-signaling pathway, mediated by the p75 neurotrophin receptor protein, which is active in dying neurons.  Research is now underway to find ways in which to prevent this death from occurring.    

“p75 causes apoptotic death that occurs after a stroke,” explained Dr Coulson.

“As this cell death can be responsible for an ongoing decline in patients abilities after the initial ischemic event, preventing it should improve patient prognosis.”

Further, the Institute’s cognitive neuroscientists are studying the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in an effort to improve understanding of how the brain copes with neurological conditions, such as stroke.

By mapping the brain in this way, neuroscientists hope to better understand how networks of brain areas involved in perceiving sensory information, learning, attending and controlling movement co-ordinate their activity during tasks of everyday living.

Researcher Professor Jason Mattingley said: “By comparing patterns of brain activity in neurological patients with those in healthy volunteers, we hope to uncover the critical brain areas that mediate sensory and cognitive processes. This research is vital if we are to develop more effective approaches to rehabilitation following acquired brain injury.”

 

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