Stroke news

  • Heavy alcohol use linked to brain bleed in later life

    People who drink heavily are more likely to suffer severe brain bleeds at a younger age, with larger haemorrhages occurring about a decade earlier than in non-drinkers, new research has revealed. Patients who consumed three or more alcoholic drinks a day experienced brain bleeds at an average age of 64, compared with 75 for non-drinkers, [...]

  • The Wellington Hospital celebrates Neurological and Complex Care Awards win

    HCA UK’s The Wellington Hospital celebrated its Neurological Rehabilitation Centre’s success at the Neurological and Complex Care Awards last week, recognising the highly complex care their teams deliver every day. Their programme for patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDOC) was honoured with the 'Innovation in Neuro Rehab' award for Paolo Tomaselli’s work integrating Neurologic [...]

  • Psychedelic DMT decreases stroke damage, study finds

    DMT may protect the brain from stroke damage by stabilising the blood–brain barrier and reducing inflammation, new research suggests. The naturally occurring psychoactive compound dimethyltryptamine (DMT) significantly reduced brain damage in animal models of stroke by protecting the blood–brain barrier – the membrane that controls what passes from the bloodstream into brain tissue – and [...]

  • Common viral infections can increase stroke risk, study finds

    Common viral infections such as flu, HIV, hepatitis C and shingles can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, according to a large review of 155 studies. The meta-analysis found that people who caught flu were up to six times more likely to have a heart attack in the month after infection, while those [...]

  • Cavities and gum disease may almost double stroke risk, study suggests

    People with both gum disease and cavities face an 86 per cent higher risk of stroke compared with those with healthy mouths, a long-term study has found. The research, which tracked nearly 6,000 adults over 20 years, also linked poor oral health to a 36 per cent greater likelihood of heart attacks and other cardiovascular [...]

  • Neck size linked to increased stroke risk, experts say

    Doctors should measure patients’ neck circumference to assess stroke risk, as larger measurements could indicate serious health problems, experts have warned. Two lecturers at Kingston University say neck size offers a more accurate insight into health than body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio. They note that neck circumferences of 17 inches (43cm) or more [...]

  • Round up: Advancing neurostimulation stroke recovery therapy and more

    NR Times explores the latest business and pharmaceutical developments in the world of neurorehabilitation. New partnership to distribute of MedRhythms devices for stroke and Parkinson’s Neurorehabilitation company MedRhythms has entered a strategic partnership with Edwards Health Care Services (EHCS), a leading provider of direct-to-home medical products. The partnership enables nationwide distribution of MedRhythms' currently available [...]

  • VR training task helps stroke recovery, study finds

    A new virtual reality training task developed by researchers in Finland shows promise for helping stroke survivors with visuospatial neglect, a condition that affects awareness of one side of space. The VR-based rehabilitation tool combines audiovisual cues with physiotherapy exercises to support recovery. Visuospatial neglect (VSN) affects about 30 per cent of stroke survivors and [...]

  • Interview: Transforming stroke rehabilitation with VR technology

    Neurotechnology company Reneural is transforming stroke rehabilitation with a new digital health initiative that utilises virtual reality (VR) technology. NR Times editor Stephanie Price speaks to co-founder Heraldas Gaspariunas (above left), COO, and Victor Harabari, CEO (above right), to find out more. Technology has seen rapid advancements over the last few decades that are now beginning to [...]

  • Antipsychotic raises stroke risk in dementia patients

    Risperidone raises stroke risk without exception in patients with dementia, according to researchers who analysed GP records. A study of 165,000 patients diagnosed with dementia after the age of 65 between 2004 and 2023 found stroke risk was increased even in those with no history of heart disease or stroke. Reporting their findings, researchers from [...]