As usual, the month brought us a lot of interesting news about stroke. Right in line with the recent national concern about obesity, two articles warn that overweight children are at greater risk for stroke or heart attack before they reach 65. This is not so terribly surprising but it is disturbing, of course.

Obese Children Prone to Heart Attacks and Stroke as Adults
Hefty Kids Have Higher Risk of Future Heart Attack
 

The article that really got my attention is the one about the woman who suddenly stopped dreaming after her stroke. That happened to me as well. I remember telling my husband a couple of months after my own stroke in May of 2002 that I was no longer having dreams. Scientists believe that her case will help pinpoint where in the brain dreams originate.

Health note: Woman suddenly stops dreaming

Another article covers research the umbilical cord as a source of stem cells, noting that President Bush and Presidential wannabe Kerry strongly differ on this issue.
A Rich New Stem Cell Source: Research on Umbilical Cord Matrix

Finally, the value of tPA in treating ischemic strokes is confirmed in a review by U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. I can attest to that since I was given tPA within 3 hours of my stroke and all my symptoms—left side paralysis resolved within 15 minutes. Therefore, I can walk normally today!

Power of tPA for Stroke Victims Confirmed
 

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