The causes of brain ischemia vary from sickle cell anemia to congenital heart defects.
Symptoms of brain ischemia can include unconsciousness, blindness, problems with coordination, and weakness in the body.
[7] The symptoms of brain ischemia reflect the anatomical region undergoing blood and oxygen deprivation.
[citation needed] Ventricular tachycardia represents a series of irregular heartbeats that may cause the heart to completely shut down resulting in cessation of oxygen flow.
Even a small amount of plaque build up can result in the narrowing of passageways, causing that area to become more prone to blood clots.
[citation needed] Congenital heart defects may also cause brain ischemia due to the lack of appropriate artery formation and connection.
[citation needed] Recently, Moyamoya disease has also been identified as a potential cause for brain ischemia.
Moyamoya disease is an extremely rare cerebrovascular condition that limits blood circulation to the brain, consequently leading to oxygen deprivation.
The brain is not able to switch to anaerobic metabolism and, because it does not have any long term energy stored, the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) drop rapidly, approaching zero within 4 minutes.
[3] Thrombotic and embolic are generally focal or multifocal in nature while hypoperfusion affects the brain globally.
[citation needed] Focal brain ischemia occurs when a blood clot has occluded a cerebral vessel.
[18] Partial cerebral cortex infarction from global brain ischemia typically manifests as watershed stroke.
Blood Biomarkers: Many proteins and RNA biomarkers identified are connected to ischemic stroke pathophysiology includes Central Nervous System Tissue Injury Biomarkers- S100B, Glial fibrillary acidic protein, enolase 2, Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
If hypoxia lasts for long periods of time, coma, seizures, and even brain death may occur.
Symptoms of brain hypoxia are similar to ischemia and include inattentiveness, poor judgment, memory loss, and a decrease in motor coordination.
[22] Potential causes of brain hypoxia are suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe anemia, and use of drugs such as cocaine and other amphetamines.
[8] Other causes associated with brain hypoxia include drowning, strangling, choking, cardiac arrest, head trauma, and complications during general anesthesia.
Treatment strategies for brain hypoxia vary depending on the original cause of injury, primary and/or secondary.