Strokes are one of the most common causes of brain lesions because they occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced. It can cause damage to its cells, and the temporary warning signs before a stroke should be known and not ignored.
Researchers believe the 20-second test can reveal a lot about a person’s brain and predict stroke risk.
Loss of balance can be an early sign of brain changes and functional decline even in healthy people.
There are two ways a stroke can occur. Often, a blood clot forms in an artery in the brain, blocking blood flow. In some cases, the cholesterol-filled plaque breaks open, causing a clot to form inside the vein.
Researchers believe the 20-second test can reveal a lot about a person’s brain and predict stroke risk.
A study published in the journal Stroke found that people who stood on one leg for less than 20 seconds were more likely to have a stroke or brain damage.
The results came from a Japanese study of nearly 1,400 people.
Researchers found that people with mild cognitive impairment, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, were more prone to instability when standing on one leg.
In a 2009 study published in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that abnormal balance on one leg “is a sign of more advanced dementia and a predictor of greater cognitive decline.” What they haven’t determined yet is whether poor stability is linked to brain lesions.
For this, they measured standing time on one leg with eyes open, on both legs, as an indicator of postural stability. Participants were given two attempts, and the team measured the time interval it took to raise the leg twice, with a maximum of 60 seconds allowed.
The better of the two attempts was used for statistical analysis. All measurements were taken with participants barefoot and with their arms at their sides.
The results showed that standing time on one leg of less than 20 seconds was “associated with overt cerebral small vessel disease in middle-aged to elderly general healthy populations.”
The team also found that about a third of participants with more than two brain lesions had balance problems.
Looking at patients with only one brain injury, 16% of participants had difficulty balancing.
A lesion refers to damage to brain tissue caused by injury or disease, and causes a wide range of symptoms, including weakness or disturbance of many senses.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that stroke is one of the most common causes of brain lesions.
“You can often prevent stroke or at least delay when you do have a stroke or reduce its severity,” he adds.
According to the health authority, some types of brain lesions heal on their own, but others may be permanent or occur for untreatable reasons.
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