Silent Stroke and Memory Loss

  Imagine suffering a stroke without even knowing it.  One study found silent strokes affect about 10% of people by the time they reach their 69th birthday.  Although these vascular events occur without symptoms, doctors can confirm them with an MRI which reveals small areas of dead brain tissue.

  Newly published research in the journal Neurology now indicates that silent strokes may contribute to memory loss in older Americans.  The researchers set out to analyze the effects of silent strokes on memory as well as a part of the brain known as the hippocampus.  The hippocampus plays an integral role in the consolidation of information from short to long term memory. Studies have linked a smaller hippocampus to memory loss.  After analyzing more than 650 people 65 and older who had no signs of dementia, the researchers conducted language, information processing, memory and visual tests.  They also measured each patient's hippocampus size through MRI technology.  Of those studied, 174 of the participants suffered silent strokes.  These strokes were not only associated with having a smaller hippocampus, the researchers also found those who suffered a silent stroke were more likely to perform poorly on memory tests than those who did not have a silent stroke.
 The author of the study says these findings support stroke prevention as a way of preventing memory problems.  To reduce your chances of having a stroke, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise 30 minutes every day, keep your weight down and make sure your cholesterol is in a healthy range.  If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, do your best to keep those conditions under control.