Stroke triggers a hidden brain change that looks like rejuvenation
Why it matters: This finding could lead to new therapies targeting brain rejuvenation in stroke survivors.
- Researchers analyzing brain scans of over 500 stroke survivors discovered that the damaged side of the brain ages faster.
- The unaffected side of the brain can actually appear younger after a stroke, indicating a potential rejuvenation process.
- This hidden brain change suggests a hopeful, intrinsic mechanism for the brain to refresh or compensate for stroke damage.
Following a stroke, the brain exhibits a surprising dichotomy: while the damaged hemisphere shows accelerated aging, the contralateral, unaffected side appears to rejuvenate. This unexpected 'refresh' mechanism, observed in over 500 stroke survivors, suggests a potential for intrinsic brain repair or compensation.
