Transient ischemic attack

A Transient Ischemic Attack is any temporary (by definition, less than 24 hours) loss of the flow of blood to any part of the brain that results in loss of brain function. Any loss of function that lasts more than 24 hours is classifed as a stroke, even if the symptoms are temporary. TIAs are usually caused by arterial plaque becoming lodged in one of the minor arteries of the brain, resulting in decreased blood flow.
The nature of the neurological symptoms depends on the area of the brain affected, and just about any part of the brain can be affected by a TIA. Common effects are temporary blindness, loss of hearing, loss of smell, and aphasia. In House Training, the patient's TIA resulted in aboulia, the loss of the ability to make choices.
A TIA can be a one time event, or a recurring event.
Category:Symptoms