Some people may experience a strange moment lasting only a few minutes, such as blurred vision, sudden weakness in the hand or foot, or difficulty speaking and expressing themselves. The symptoms disappear quickly, leading the person to think it is just fatigue or a passing dizziness, but the reality is more serious. This condition, called Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) by doctors, is not just a “mild attack” but an early warning that may reveal an imminent danger threatening brain cells and future memory.

According to a report published on the Health Harvard website, a transient ischemic attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain temporarily stops for seconds or minutes before returning to normal.

Although the patient quickly regains consciousness and function, the brain during these moments experiences acute oxygen deprivation that may leave a hidden impact on neural tissue.

Doctors liken this type of attack to an “alarm bell” preceding a major stroke and consider it one of the strongest indicators of cerebral vessel weakness.

The difference between a transient ischemic attack and an actual stroke lies in duration and effect; the former is temporary and usually leaves no clear signs on MRI scans, while the latter causes actual death of brain cells. However, recent research indicates that the distinction between the two is not as sharp as previously thought, as transient attacks can leave cumulative effects impacting thinking and memory over the years.

In one of the largest studies on this topic, more than thirty thousand middle-aged individuals with no prior history of stroke or brain attack were followed for nearly fourteen years.

During this period, cases of transient ischemic attacks were recorded, and the mental and cognitive performance of these individuals was compared with two other groups: one with confirmed strokes and another who remained completely healthy.

The results showed that those who experienced a transient ischemic attack had a gradual decline in mental abilities, although slower than those who suffered a full stroke.

Those who did not experience either maintained a more stable cognitive level over the years.

Several scientific reasons attempt to explain this phenomenon:

• Blood-brain barrier disruption: Temporary interruption of blood flow increases the permeability of the protective barrier around the brain, allowing inflammatory substances to leak and affect sensitive nerve cells.
• Micro-inflammation and toxic protein accumulation: Some scientists believe the attack may trigger inflammatory processes leading to the buildup of proteins such as “amyloid,” which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Repeated unnoticed minor attacks: Some patients may suffer from repeated minor attacks without noticing, leading to cumulative damage in the tiny vessels supplying memory and planning areas.
• Vascular dementia: When these vessels are damaged long-term, the brain loses efficiency in supplying oxygen to cells, resulting in a type of dementia known as vascular dementia, characterized by memory decline and reduced calculation and organizational abilities.

A key point lending credibility to the recent study is the use of high-resolution MRI techniques that distinguished between small strokes and true transient attacks. Individuals classified as having transient attacks showed no brain lesions, confirming the dysfunction was truly temporary, yet cognitive decline signs appeared immediately after the attack. Neuropsychological follow-up is essential, as delayed diagnosis means losing the chance for early intervention.

Prevention of transient ischemic attacks begins with managing the vascular risk factors that cause major strokes.

Doctors recommend a series of simple but effective measures:

• Maintaining normal blood pressure through regular monitoring.
• Controlling blood sugar levels to avoid damage to small vessels.
• Reducing cholesterol and avoiding saturated fatty foods.
• Immediate cessation of smoking, a leading cause of artery narrowing.
• Regular exercise to improve blood flow to the brain.
• Seeing a doctor immediately if any attack symptoms appear, such as sudden weakness in a limb or speech or vision disturbances.

Rapid response can save the brain from irreversible damage; every minute of delay means losing thousands of nerve cells.

Even after overcoming a transient ischemic attack, the patient should not be left without cognitive follow-up.

Experts recommend early cognitive assessment tests to determine mental performance levels and then monitor any subsequent changes.

Early intervention with medication or cognitive behavioral therapy can help compensate for damaged skills and stimulate the brain to rebuild neural networks.

Even if symptoms disappear within minutes, the occurrence of any of the following requires immediate medical attention:

• Sudden numbness in the face, hand, or foot.
• Loss of balance or unexplained falls.
• Weakness in speech or difficulty understanding.
• Double vision or partial vision loss.
• Severe and sudden unusual headache.

These signs are not transient as some may think but an early call for the brain’s help before it’s too late.