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Symptoms and Signs of Thalamic Stroke - Oren Zarif - Thalamic Stroke


The thalamus is a critical structure in the brain that plays several crucial roles. It is responsible for mediating general cortical alertness responses and processes sensory information to relay it to the cortex. Thalamic stroke occurs in isolation, as well as in combination with other brain structures. Because of its complexity, thalamic infarcts can mimic several different neurological conditions. Here, we will discuss some of the symptoms and signs of thalamic stroke.

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Although no specific neurocognitive assessment tests are needed to diagnose thalamic stroke, it is important to note that there are some limitations in this study. First, the retrospective MR-study did not evaluate patients with subtle symptoms. Furthermore, the physicians who conducted the study tended to select patients with aphasia, which is a common sign of right thalamic stroke. Second, the primary care providers may have misinterpreted patients with subtle neurocognitive deficits. Third, the neuroradiological information provided by the stroke units may not have adequately accounted for the neuropsychological deficits of right-sided ITS.

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Third, thalamic stroke can lead to several secondary effects. For example, impaired sensation may develop into thermal dysregulation and severe pain. Rehabilitation will focus on compensating for these impaired abilities. Though some secondary effects will not completely disappear, recovery from a thalamic stroke can take weeks or months. However, the onset of symptoms may persist for many years. If this is the case, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

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Fourth, thalamic lesions may be caused by deep cerebral venous thrombosis (DCVT). Fortunately, such infarcts are rare. Researchers are working to improve the diagnostic accuracy and treatment for patients with thalamic infarction. A single study published in J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis evaluated twenty-four patients for thalamic stroke. Its authors found that the condition affects up to 5% of stroke patients.

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The etiology of thalamic infarction and prognosis is unclear. However, recent studies suggest that it is a rare complication of a vascular syndrome. Researchers are also still trying to understand the causes and prognoses of thalamic infarction. Despite the rarity, thalamic infarction has a high mortality rate. It is important to recognize and treat it as early as possible.

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Patients with a left polar thalamic infarction exhibited severe perseverative behaviors and "superimposition of temporally unrelated information," which results in parallel expression of mental activities. These patients also had global amnesia, decreased verbal fluency, and persistent verbal memory deficits. In addition to these clinical features, the patients exhibited disorientation, inattention, and perseveration. This suggests a thalamic-related comorbidity.

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Patients with left hemispheric stroke are overrepresented in hospitals, probably because their symptoms are more readily recognized by patients and their next-of-kin. Thus, the diagnosis of a left hemispheric stroke may be missed. By analyzing the clinical symptoms and left-right lateralization patterns of patients with isolated thalamic stroke, we hope to identify potentially missed patients who may have suffered from a thalamic stroke.

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A thalamic stroke can be difficult to deal with because it can affect the thalamus, a small but vital part of the brain. It controls speech, motivation, balance, and sensations. It is a potentially deadly type of stroke, but recent advances in medical care have made this path to recovery easier. In addition to the immediate effects, many people with this type of stroke can return to a normal life with extensive rehabilitation.

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Although a left hemisphere lesion may cause aphasia, the symptoms of the disorder are more difficult to detect. Left thalamic lesions result in impaired verbal output, decreased fluency, and impaired comprehension. Patients with left hemisphere lesions may also display semantic or phonetic errors. However, repetition is often well preserved. Some patients with left thalamic aphasia also experience an increased risk for acalculia.

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