- Researchers in a new study examined the long-term risk of dementia following a transient ischemic attack.
- People who experienced a transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, had a 34% higher overall risk of dementia than people without a mini-stroke or stroke.
- The finding was a correlation, though, and did not establish causation.
- About one in five participants who experienced a mini-stroke received a dementia diagnosis during a follow-up of around 7 years.
A transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke, occurs when blood flow to part of the brain becomes temporarily blocked, which causes stroke-like symptoms.
Even though symptoms typically clear up fairly quickly, a mini-stroke is still a medical emergency as it can precede having a stroke.
The authors of a new study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, note that most research on post-mini-stroke care mainly focuses on stroke prevention, so they wanted to take a closer look at dementia after a transient ischemic attack.
Their observational study found an association between mini-strokes and a higher long-term risk of dementia.
Team Health Accessible
Health & Wellness Editorial Team
HealthAccessible editorial team delivers trusted, accessible, and evidence-based health information for everyone.
