Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (723 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Localized reduction of blood flow to brain tissue due to arterial obstruction or systemic hypoperfusion. This frequently occurs in conjunction with brain hypoxia (hypoxia, brain). Prolonged ischemia is associated with brain infarction.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Brain Ischemias; Ischemia, Brain; Encephalopathy, Ischemic; Ischemic Encephalopathies; Ischemic Encephalopathy; Cerebral Ischemia; Cerebral Ischemias; Ischemias, Cerebral.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Cerebrovascular Disorders
- Narrower topics
- Brain Infarction; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
Related concepts
- Hypoxia
- Brain
- Brain Infarction
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 135,110 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Brain Ischemia” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 26,403 of them (19.5%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 43,192 records.
Reviews account for 16,060 records (11.9%) and meta-analyses for 1,909. Randomized controlled trials number 3,335 (2.5%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 35,422 |
| 2000-2009 | 30,093 |
| 2010-2019 | 43,192 |
| 2020 onward | 26,403 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 16,060 | 11.9% |
| Meta-analyses | 1,909 | 1.4% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 3,335 | 2.5% |
Method: PubMed query "Brain Ischemia"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cardiovascular medicine
Cardiovascular medicine has an unusually large body of randomized trials, so the type of outcome matters: hard clinical events such as death, heart attack and stroke carry more weight than changes in blood pressure, cholesterol or imaging markers that only predict risk. Observational studies can show associations but are confounded by age, lifestyle and other illness. Check whether a result is about prevention or treatment, the baseline risk of participants, and the absolute rather than only the relative size of any benefit.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pericyte KATP channel hyperactivity redistributes cortical blood flow in a CADASIL mouse model | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 42547848 · DOI · PMC13461346 |
| Effects of gut microbiota on the susceptibility of ischemic stroke in mice | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42429658 · DOI · PMC13483375 |
| Endovascular therapy in acute ischaemic stroke patients with prestroke dependency-an EVA-TRISP cohort study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42627880 · DOI · PMC13496238 |
| Nitric oxide in the occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular disease | 2027 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42734452 · DOI · PMC13667374 |
Pericyte KATP channel hyperactivity redistributes cortical blood flow in a CADASIL mouse model [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Cerebral hemodynamic dysfunction is a key driver of unhealthy brain aging.
- Closing excerpt
- This loss of spatial perfusion equalization, despite preserved global flow, contributed to deep-layer hypoperfusion, establishing a previously underrecognized but tractable vascular function disrupted in aging pathology.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (151 words)
Cerebral hemodynamic dysfunction is a key driver of unhealthy brain aging. Impaired microcirculatory reactivity leads to uneven perfusion, rendering deeper brain regions more vulnerable and thereby contributing to cognitive decline. Yet how capillaries contribute to these deficits remains poorly defined. Here we combined spatial transcriptomics with in vivo two-photon and three-photon imaging to measure layer-specific cerebral blood flow in control and small vessel disease model mice (CADASIL TgNotch3R169C). We found downregulation of ATP-synthesizing genes, indicating microvascular metabolic impairment that paralleled impaired pericyte bioenergetics. This energy deficit coincided with diminished tone in the arteriole-capillary transitional zone and reduced deep-layer perfusion. Complementary electrophysiology, ex vivo and in silico approaches, revealed that hyperactive KATP channels in pericytes drive a redistribution of cerebral blood flow toward superficial cortical layers. This loss of spatial perfusion equalization, despite preserved global flow, contributed to deep-layer hypoperfusion, establishing a previously underrecognized but tractable vascular function disrupted in aging pathology.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42547848 · DOI · PMC13461346
Effects of gut microbiota on the susceptibility of ischemic stroke in mice [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent disease with limited therapeutic options, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota influences stroke pathophysiology.
- Closing excerpt
- Modulating the gut microbiota may therefore represent a novel strategy for reducing stroke susceptibility.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (217 words)
Ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent disease with limited therapeutic options, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota influences stroke pathophysiology. However, whether the gut microbiota affects individual susceptibility to ischemic stroke remains unclear. Here, middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed to stratify mice into ischemic stroke-sensitive (SEN: reaching humane endpoints within day 1) and ischemic stroke-resistant (RES: surviving to day 7) groups based on post-stroke survival. SEN mice exhibited more severe brain injury than RES mice, accompanied by increased systemic inflammation and elevated intestinal permeability. Fecal microbiota from SEN or RES donors was transplanted into antibiotic-treated recipients. Mice receiving SEN microbiota developed significantly worse outcomes compared with those receiving RES microbiota. Multi-omic analyses of cecal contents, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics, identified reduced butyrate-producing bacteria and altered glutathione metabolism as potential contributors to stroke susceptibility. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that gut microbiota and microbial metabolites modulate susceptibility to ischemic stroke.ImportanceThe role of the gut microbiota in determining susceptibility to ischemic stroke has remained poorly defined. This study demonstrates that microbiota dysbiosis and metabolite alterations functionally increase vulnerability to stroke injury, highlighting the gut microbiome as a potential target for risk stratification and preventive interventions. Modulating the gut microbiota may therefore represent a novel strategy for reducing stroke susceptibility.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42429658 · DOI · PMC13483375
Endovascular therapy in acute ischaemic stroke patients with prestroke dependency-an EVA-TRISP cohort study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionAcute EVT may be withheld from stroke patients with prestroke dependency on the help of others in daily activities because of insufficient randomised evidence.
- Closing excerpt
- This suggests that EVT should not be withheld solely on the basis of prestroke dependency.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (232 words)
IntroductionAcute EVT may be withheld from stroke patients with prestroke dependency on the help of others in daily activities because of insufficient randomised evidence. Using data from a large registry, we aimed to improve evidence for EVT decision-making in these patients.Patients and methodsMulticentre international observational study from the EndoVascular Therapy and ThRombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients (EVA-TRISP) collaboration comparing prestroke-dependent (prestroke mRS 3-4) with prestroke-independent patients (prestroke mRS 0-2). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis and report odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Outcomes were poor functional outcome in survivors (defined relative to the prestroke mRS), 3 month mortality, sICH occurrence and unsuccessful recanalisation.ResultsOf 13,525 eligible patients, 1436 (10.6%) were prestroke-dependent. These patients were older (median 84 vs 73 years), more often women (61.0% vs 46.7%) and had higher NIHSS score (median 16 vs 14 points). While the odds of death (ORadjusted 2.33 [95% CI, 2.04-2.66]; 48.6% vs 19.6%) and unsuccessful recanalisation (ORadjusted 1.16 [95% CI, 1.02-1.33]; 31.0% vs 26.6%) were higher in prestroke-dependent patients, there was no evidence of increased odds of poor functional outcome in survivors (ORadjusted 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57-0.81]; 42.8% vs 40.0%) and sICH (ORadjusted 0.72 [95% CI, 0.53-0.98]; 3.8% vs 4.6%).Discussion and conclusionsDespite higher mortality and recanalisation failure, prestroke-dependent patients did not have worse functional outcomes among survivors or higher sICH risk. This suggests that EVT should not be withheld solely on the basis of prestroke dependency.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42627880 · DOI · PMC13496238
Nitric oxide in the occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular disease [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Since nitric oxide is a chemically highly reactive free radical that can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, it is assumed that it has diverse effects on biological tissues.
- Closing excerpt
- The available conflicting information allowed us to conclude that at present, there is no consensus about the role of endogenous nitric oxide in the processes occurring after ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (123 words)
Since nitric oxide is a chemically highly reactive free radical that can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, it is assumed that it has diverse effects on biological tissues. Nitric oxide is fundamentally important for the regulation of immune, reproductive and neuromuscular system functions and is the main signaling molecule and effector that can dilate blood vessels and modulate energy metabolism. This review examines the key role of nitric oxide in the mechanisms underlying the response to hypoxia, as well as in the effects of factors induced by hypoxia. The available conflicting information allowed us to conclude that at present, there is no consensus about the role of endogenous nitric oxide in the processes occurring after ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42734452 · DOI · PMC13667374
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Value of intravenous thrombolysis in endovascular treatment for large-vessel anterior circulation stroke: individual participant data meta-analysis of six randomised trials [5]
- Research article Prevalence of dysphagia and risk of pneumonia and mortality in acute stroke patients: a meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Association of gestational diabetes mellitus with overall and type specific cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Time to Treatment With Intravenous Thrombolysis Before Thrombectomy and Functional Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis [9]
- Research article Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [10]
References
- Jeffrey DA, Prince EW, Khakpour N, Ferris HR, Peters CH, Seedorf G, et al.. Pericyte KATP channel hyperactivity redistributes cortical blood flow in a CADASIL mouse model. . 2026. PMID 42547848 · DOI · PMC13461346
- Wu G, Wang H, Zhou Q, Fu J, Zhang F, Duan Z, et al.. Effects of gut microbiota on the susceptibility of ischemic stroke in mice. . 2026. PMID 42429658 · DOI · PMC13483375
- Piot I, Enz LS, Altersberger VL, Trüssel S, De Marchis GM, Dittrich T, et al.. Endovascular therapy in acute ischaemic stroke patients with prestroke dependency-an EVA-TRISP cohort study. . 2026. PMID 42627880 · DOI · PMC13496238
- Bogodvid TK, Silantyeva DI, Andrianov VV, Gainutdinov KL. Nitric oxide in the occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. . 2027. PMID 42734452 · DOI · PMC13667374
- Majoie CB, Cavalcante F, Gralla J, Yang P, Kaesmacher J, Treurniet KM, et al.. Value of intravenous thrombolysis in endovascular treatment for large-vessel anterior circulation stroke: individual participant data meta-analysis of six randomised trials. Lancet. 2023. PMID 37640037 · DOI
- Banda KJ, Chu H, Kang XL, Liu D, Pien LC, Jen HJ, et al.. Prevalence of dysphagia and risk of pneumonia and mortality in acute stroke patients: a meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr. 2022. PMID 35562660 · DOI · PMC9103417
- Xie W, Wang Y, Xiao S, Qiu L, Yu Y, Zhang Z. Association of gestational diabetes mellitus with overall and type specific cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2022. PMID 36130740 · DOI · PMC9490552
- Filler J, Georgakis MK, Dichgans M. Risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2024. PMID 38101426 · DOI
- Kaesmacher J, Cavalcante F, Kappelhof M, Treurniet KM, Rinkel L, Liu J, et al.. Time to Treatment With Intravenous Thrombolysis Before Thrombectomy and Functional Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis. JAMA. 2024. PMID 38324409 · DOI · PMC10851137
- Li Q, Abdalkader M, Siegler JE, Yaghi S, Sarraj A, Campbell BCV, et al.. Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurology. 2023. PMID 37277200 · DOI · PMC10501098
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.