Which term describes a brief interruption of blood supply to the brain, often referred to as a mini-stroke?

Which term describes a brief interruption of blood supply to the brain, often referred to as a mini-stroke?

• A. Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)
• B. Dementia
• C. Epilepsy
• D. Glaucoma

Answer: (A)

A brief interruption of blood flow to the brain is called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, commonly referred to as a mini-stroke. The defining idea is that the neurological deficits come on suddenly but resolve quickly as blood flow returns, typically within 24 hours and often in minutes. TIAs signal that the brain has experienced ischemia and that a more serious stroke may occur soon, so they require urgent medical evaluation to identify the cause (such as carotid artery disease or atrial fibrillation) and to start preventive treatment (antiplatelet therapy if appropriate, blood pressure and cholesterol management, diabetes control, and lifestyle changes). The symptoms—sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, vision changes, or dizziness—mirror stroke signs but do not persist, which is why TIAs are treated as urgent warnings rather than lasting conditions. Other terms mentioned describe different conditions: dementia involves cognitive decline, epilepsy involves seizures from abnormal brain activity, and glaucoma is an eye disease affecting the optic nerve.