Being distracted can predict your risk of silent stroke

Toronto: Have you often lost the thread of thought or are you often distracted? In fact, this may be a sign of a condition called "silent stroke," the leading cause of dementia and stroke, warns a study. The disease called small cerebral vessels is one of the most common neurological aging disorders. This type of stroke causes changes in blood flow to the brain and damages the white matter of the brain (responsible for communication between regions), which can lead to memory problems and cognitive impairment over time .

Individuals with white matter brain lesions, caused by silent strokes, have been poor in their attention and have been distracted more frequently in daily tasks. Despite these problems, approximately half of the adults (aged 55 to 80 years) are identified with white matter lesions badessed within normal limits during formal laboratory attention badessments. and executive function, according to an article recently published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging. .

"Our results indicate that in many cases of people at higher risk of silent stroke and having one, they found a noticeable difference in their ability to stay focused even before symptoms become detectable. with the help of a neuropsychological test, "said lead author Ayan. Dey, a graduate student from the University of Toronto in Canada.

Strokes are "silent" because they do not cause lasting major changes, such as those that affect the ability to speak or paralysis. Typically, this type of stroke is accidentally discovered by MRI or once brain damage has worsened, said Dey.

"There is no effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but it is possible to prevent or reduce cerebral vascular changes through smoking cessation, exercise, to management of diet and stress, as well as to the control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, "said Brian Levine, professor. at the university.

"With the right diagnosis, these interventions and lifestyle changes offer seniors at risk of cognitive decline some options for maintaining brain health."