Stroke
An Introduction to Stroke
Most strokes (85%) are caused by acute ischaemia due to blockage of a cerebral artery, leading to loss of oxygenation in downstream brain tissue, and ultimately causing neuronal cell death and irreversible neurological damage. The remainder are haemorrhagic strokes, caused by intracerebral or subarachnoid haemorrhage. Treatment of ischaemic stroke has been transformed by advances in imaging technology, as well as the emergence of thrombolytics and subsequent mechanical thrombectomy, sometimes facilitating complete recovery. Increasingly, oral anticoagulants are preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Therapies targeting neuroinflammation after brain ischaemia (e.g. transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells) are also emerging as potentially useful.
Browse our gallery of video highlights and short articles from the conference hub, providing latest expert insights from major conferences and peer-reviewed articles from the journal portfolio.
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Leading experts share their perspectives on the most important therapeutic and treatment updates at AAN 2026 and discuss how these findings may shape the future of neurologic care At American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, April 18–22, 2026, major ...
Emerging data from AAN 2026 across neuroimmunology, epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, movement disorders and neuroinfectious disease highlighted the continued evolution of neurology toward more precise, personalized and mechanism-driven care. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, from April 18–22, 2026, ...
ESOC 2026 highlights: Blood pressure management, neuroprotection and widening inequalities shape stroke discussions in Maastricht #VoiceOfStroke [caption id="attachment_101685" align="alignright" width="300"] © European Stroke Organisation #VoiceOfStroke[/caption] At the 12th European Stroke Organisation Conference 2026, late-breaking clinical trial data and population-level analyses ...
The late-breaking science sessions at AAN Annual Meeting 2026, Chicago, IL, USA brought together a wide range of pivotal and practice-shaping data spanning rare disease, neuroimmunology, headache, epilepsy, neurodegeneration and neuromuscular medicine. Several presentations reported positive phase III findings, while others ...
We often focus on clinical excellence, but spend less time developing broader skills that could help us better lead with purpose and build more fulfilling, impactful careers. In this episode, part of a mini-series in partnership with LEADderm, Dr Jennifer Soung and Denise Mann explore how clinicians can engage with the media to educate, empower and extend their impact beyond the clinic.
The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) has issued a renewed call for immediate national action following the publication of the mid-term review and update of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018–2030 (SAP-E). Published in the European Stroke Journal, ...
In this year-end review, we are pleased to share personal highlights from members of the touchNEUROLOGY Editorial Board, whose perspectives offer a window into the innovations that have most influenced clinical practice and research over the past 12 months. Their reflections capture not only the momentum of 2025, but also the promise of what lies ahead as the field continues to evolve.
It is my pleasure to introduce the 2025 of touchREVIEWS in Neurology, which brings together an exceptional collection of reviews, original research and congress highlights that reflect the continued evolution of neurological science and clinical innovation. This issue opens with Jelle ...
Acute ischaemic stroke management Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to direct endovascular treatment (EVT) for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes within 4.5 hours of onset have failed to show inferiority of direct ...
Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates gathered at the European Parliament in Brussels for the event “Closing the Gaps in Stroke Care: A Call to Action for Europe.” Jointly hosted by MEP Billy Kelleher (Ireland) and MEP Romana Jerković (Croatia), alongside the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), the meeting highlighted the urgent need to align national and EU health strategies around one cohesive framework, the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAPE).
At Nordic Stroke 2025, experts from across the region explored advances in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, with a strong focus on quality assessment and multidisciplinary stroke unit care. In this interview, Dr Hanne Krarup Christensen discusses emerging models of personalised stroke management and evolving standards for certification and outcome improvement.
In our inaugural touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders 2025 campaign, we celebrate the next generation of neurologists, rising stars shaping the future of clinical practice, research, and education across neurological specialties.
Dr Ellis van Etten, vascular neurologist and clinical scientist at Leiden University Medical Center, specializes in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and other types of cerebral small vessel disease. With early research training at J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a PhD on cerebral amyloid angiopathy at Leiden University, she is now actively contributing to international research, including participation in a multicentre phase II trial.
Stroke pathway transformation in Iceland, with Björn Thorarinsson: touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025
Nominated as a touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025, and in collaboration with the European Stroke Organisation (ESO), Dr Björn Logi Thorarinsson, a neurologist and stroke specialist from Iceland (Landspitali University Hospital Reykjavik) has led major innovations in acute stroke care both nationally and across Europe. Currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe, Dr Thorarinsson speaks to touchNEUROLOGY about the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the transformative impact of teamwork in implementing 24/7 stroke services in Iceland, and the future of stroke care as a multi-disciplinary, protocol-driven endeavour.
As a touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025, Dr Antonio Ciacciarelli shares what drew him to neurology, the lasting impact of mentorship, and why recent advances in stroke care are redefining outcomes. He reflects on the privilege of inspiring others, and the promise of neuroprotection as the next frontier in vascular neurology.
The 11th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) delivered ground-breaking insights across neurology, showcasing how precision medicine is reshaping clinical practice. Taken from the EAN Highlights and Breaking news session presented 24 June 2025 (PLEN03), touchNEUROLOGY summarizes the key highlights across dementia, headache, movement disorders, cerebrovascular and neuromuscular diseases.
As touchNEUROLOGY approaches 20 years of providing education for busy neurologists, we are looking to the future—and it certainly looks bright!
Prof. Simona Sacco outlines the European Stroke Organisation’s (ESO) strategic priorities to reduce disparities in stroke care across Europe. She discusses the transformative impact of the ESO East programme and the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), and also reflects on the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in stroke diagnostics and treatment pathways.
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