Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Stroke
Published on: August 11, 2023
[Symptoms, risk factors, and etiology of transient ischemic attack and stroke]
C H Nolte1, J Müller-Nordhorn, G J Jungehülsing
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie der Charité, Universitätsmedizin in Berlin. christian.nolte@charite.de
Background:
It is unclear whether clinical signs and symptoms differ in the presentation of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke, apart from temporal dynamics.
Methods:
Signs and symptoms of patients diagnosed with TIA or stroke were prospectively collected and compared by means of an age-adjusted logistic regression analysis. Risk factors, prehospital medication, and diagnostic workup were obtained from the charts.
Results:
Four hundred five patients diagnosed with stroke (68+/-12 years old, 45% female) and 143 diagnosed with TIA (64+/-14 years old, 48% female) were included. Signs and symptoms of patients with TIA were less often "classic" such as paresis (48% vs 71%, P<0.001) or sensory loss (38% vs 48%, P=0.03). The etiology of TIA was more often classified as "undetermined" (57% vs 46%, P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Transient ischemic attack needs special attention and intensive diagnostic workup, because it bears a considerable risk of death and disability but presents less often with classic signs and symptoms and its etiology often remains undetermined.
Related Concept Videos
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Stroke: Introduction and Types
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

