International Stroke Conference Update

The International Stroke Conference 2011 has ended at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. Preliminary numbers indicate that more than 4,500 attendees have registered as of Thursday, the highest since 2007. Below are a few of the studies/media coverage that came out during the Conference.

The prevalence of ischemic stroke has declined in the middle aged and elderly, but sharply increased in children, young adults and early middle-aged people since 1994, according to an analysis by CDC researchers. Researchers are unclear on the reasons for the increase, but said obesity and hypertension may be factors.

• Associated Press
• MSN
• Cardiovascular Business News

Drinking diet soda daily is linked to a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and vascular-related deaths. High salt intake may double the risk of ischemic stroke, independent of sodium’s role in hypertension.

• Associated Press
• BC News
• MSNBC
• Fox News
• Health Day
• MedPage Today
• Herald Sun Australia

An investigational anti-clotting drug is safe and twice as effective as aspirin at preventing stroke or blood clots in atrial fibrillation patients who were unable to take stronger drugs to prevent blood clots. In these final results, researchers will also detail how the drug apixaban works in patients with previous stroke (AVERROS).

• Spice drug fights stroke damage - BBC
• How turmeric can spice up stroke treatment by protecting and regenerating brain cells – Daily Mail UK
• A DRUG derived from the popular curry spice turmeric could help aid the recovery of stroke patients, US researchers found. – The Herald Sun Australia