Arterial brain diseases refer to a group of medical conditions that affect the arteries supplying blood to the brain. These diseases typically involve the narrowing, blockage, or rupture of these vital blood vessels, leading to a disruption of normal blood flow to the brain. This restricted blood supply can result in damage or death of brain cells, leading to various neurological symptoms and potentially severe complications.
One of the common arterial brain diseases is atherosclerosis, which is characterized by the buildup of fatty plaque on the inner walls of arteries. This condition can eventually lead to the narrowing or complete blockage of cerebral arteries, leading to ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Ischemic strokes occur when there is a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain, often due to a blood clot or plaque dislodgement.
Another arterial brain disease is cerebral aneurysm, which is the abnormal dilation or bulging of a weakened artery in the brain. These aneurysms can potentially rupture and cause hemorrhagic stroke, leading to bleeding within the brain. This condition requires immediate medical attention, as it can be life-threatening.
Other arterial brain diseases include arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), moyamoya disease, carotid artery stenosis, and cerebral vasculitis, among others. Each of these conditions affects the arterial blood supply to the brain, and depending on the specific disease, the symptoms and required treatment can vary significantly.
Diagnosis of arterial brain diseases usually involves medical history assessment, physical examination, imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, and sometimes additional tests like angiograms to evaluate the blood vessels directly.
Treatment options for arterial brain diseases depend on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. They may
