Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
08:29

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

Multiple brain infarcts in young adults: clues for etiologic diagnosis and prognostic impact

S Mustanoja1, J Putaala, E Haapaniemi

  • 1Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. satu.mustanoja@hus.fi

European Journal of Neurology
|October 13, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multiple brain infarcts (MBI) in young adults indicate a higher risk of poor short-term outcomes and long-term mortality. Etiology differs from older patients, highlighting distinct risk factors for MBI in younger populations.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Stroke Medicine

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the causes and clinical impact of multiple brain infarcts (MBI) in young stroke patients.
  • Young stroke patients (15-49 years) present unique etiological profiles compared to older individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the etiology of multiple brain infarcts (MBI) in young patients.
  • To determine the impact of MBI on short-term and long-term clinical outcomes in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 548 patients aged 15-49 with first-ever ischemic stroke using MRI.
  • Ischemic lesions categorized as single lesions, MBI in one territory, or MBI in multiple territories.
  • Outcomes assessed included unfavorable 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

  • MBI occurred in 33.8% of young stroke patients, with 7.5% having lesions in multiple territories.
  • Patients with MBI showed higher prevalence of cardioembolism, large-artery atherosclerosis, and artery dissections.
  • MBI independently predicted unfavorable 3-month outcomes (OR 2.84) and increased long-term risk of death (HR 3.75), but not recurrent stroke.

Conclusions:

  • Young stroke patients with MBI exhibit distinct etiologies compared to the elderly.
  • MBI is an independent predictor of poor short-term functional outcomes in young stroke survivors.
  • MBI in young adults is associated with an increased long-term risk of mortality.

More Related Videos

Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping10:25

Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping

Published on: September 25, 2019

Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images08:39

Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images

Published on: November 20, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.