Revealing The Extent Of Stroke Damage

Main Category: Stroke
Article Date: 18 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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A Hunter stroke researcher has received national recognition for his research exploring changes in brain circulation in the first few hours after stroke.

Dr Ferdinand Miteff, a Stroke Fellow with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Stroke Research Group and a Hunter New England Health Neurologist, has been awarded the New Investigator Peter Bladin Award from the Australasian Stroke Society.

The award recognises the best research presented by an early career researcher at the Australasian Stroke Society Annual Scientific Meeting.

When an artery in the brain is blocked as a result of stroke, small connections between the large brain arteries called "collaterals" allow blood to flow to the affected brain tissue, keeping it alive until the clot dissolves.

Dr Miteff and his colleagues within the HMRI Stroke Research Group are focusing on using new technology to assess the viability of the parts of the brain that have relied on these collaterals for blood flow, and whether this brain tissue can be salvaged.

"Using CT imaging doctors worldwide can already identify where the clot has formed and the effect to the blood supply in the brain," said Dr Miteff.

"Using new technology we may be able to identify the extent of damage to parts of the brain and how long potentially salvageable brain tissue will survive."

Results of Dr Miteff's research will be published in a scientific journal later this year.

"This is important and novel research which could improve patient selection for stroke treatments," said Head of the HMRI Stroke Research Group, Professor Chris Levi.

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HMRI is a partnership between Hunter New England Health, the University of Newcastle and the community.

Source: Lauren Eyles
Research Australia

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