The American Stroke Association has published research that highlights the significant role of nontraditional risk factors in unexplained strokes among young adults. According to a study published in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal, adults under 50 years old have more than double the risk of having a stroke from migraine or other nontraditional stroke risk factors compared to traditional risks such as high blood pressure.

Previous research indicates that the rate of ischemic (clot-caused) strokes among adults aged 18-49 is increasing, propelled by a corresponding rise in cryptogenic strokes (strokes of unknown cause) in adults without traditional risk factors. Up to half of all ischemic strokes in younger adults are of unknown causes and more common in women.

Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 European adults aged 18-49, with a median age of 41 years. Half of the participants had experienced a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, while half had no history of stroke. The study examined the associations of 12 traditional risk factors, 10 nontraditional risk factors, and five risk factors specific to women.

The analysis found that:

* Non-traditional risk factors contributed significantly to unexplained strokes in younger adults.
* Migraine headaches emerged as one of the leading risk factors for stroke development in this age group.
* The study’s results should inform healthcare professionals to develop a more tailored approach to risk factor assessment and management.

Lead study author Jukka Putaala emphasized the importance of careful and routine assessment of both traditional and nontraditional risk factors in younger people, as well as screening after they have had a stroke to prevent future strokes. American Heart Association chair Tracy E. Madsen noted that recognizing specific risks that affect women and those not commonly seen could change our approach to screening for these risks and educating patients throughout their lives.

The study’s limitations include being an observational study, which means it was a review and analysis of existing health data on patients enrolled in another trial or database, and the reliance on patient-reported risk factors. The findings may not be applicable to other populations due to the predominantly white European participant pool.

Overall, this research highlights the critical need for healthcare professionals to consider nontraditional risk factors, especially migraine headaches, when assessing stroke risk in younger adults, particularly women.

Uncovering Early Body Awareness: Babies Sense Their Own Heartbeat and Breathing

Researchers at the University of Vienna have made a groundbreaking discovery about the early development of body awareness in infants. A recent study has found that babies as young as 3 months can perceive their own heartbeat, and that this ability remains relatively stable throughout their first two years of life.

The perception of internal body signals is closely linked to emotional awareness, mental health, and self-perception. Early in life, the ability to perceive one’s own body signals may be particularly important, as it often forms the basis for interactions with caregivers – for example, babies rely on their caregivers to respond appropriately to signs of hunger or discomfort.

The study used innovative methods by tracking the infants’ eye movements as they watched child-friendly figures. These figures moved either in synchrony with the child’s heartbeat or breathing, or with a slight time delay. Results showed that even at an early age, babies recognize the correspondence between their own heartbeat or breathing rhythm and the animated figures.

“They looked longer at the screen when the figures were in synchrony than when they were delayed,” said Markus Tünte, lead author of the study from the University of Vienna. “The babies must have recognized that the figures moved simultaneously with their heartbeat or breathing, and then they paid more attention.”

This groundbreaking finding opens up exciting perspectives for future developmental psychology research. In particular, it is essential to explore how early body awareness relates to the development of emotional and social skills, as well as the role parents play in shaping early body perception.

In the long term, such research could be used to promote healthy body awareness and, consequently, the mental health of children. By understanding how babies perceive their own body signals, we can develop more effective strategies for supporting their emotional and social development, ultimately leading to a healthier and happier childhood.

Chronic rhinosinusitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the nasal and sinus cavities, affects millions of people worldwide. Symptoms include nasal congestion, mucus secretion, and pressure in the sinuses. In severe cases, the disease can be associated with asthma or NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD). The standard treatment involves nasally administered corticosteroids, which can be supplemented with orally administered corticosteroids for the polypoid form of the disease.

For patients who do not respond to medical treatments, endoscopic sinus surgery is often considered. However, a significant number of patients may require revision surgery due to persistent symptoms and disease progression. In fact, research suggests that up to 28% of patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis may need revision surgery within one year.

A new study published in Clinical and Translational Allergy has introduced a novel CT-scan based risk score to predict the likelihood of revision endoscopic sinus surgery. The Sinonasal Radiological Score (SR score) takes into account indicators such as non-detectable anatomy of the nasal turbinates, which is often associated with polypoid mucosal swelling, and obstructed drainage of the frontal sinus.

In comparison to the existing Lund-Mackay scoring system, the SR score provides a more accurate assessment of the risk of revision surgery. The study analyzed data from 483 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, including those who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery within one year following their CT scan. Results showed that conditions such as asthma and N-ERD increased the risk of revision surgery.

This breakthrough research highlights the importance of early prediction of disease progression and planning for further treatment. By using the new SR score in conjunction with conventional medical and surgical treatments, clinicians can identify patients at risk of revision surgery and tailor their treatment approach accordingly.