Brain Injury in Focus
Up-to-date research, statistics, and resources — because knowing more means doing more.
The Brain Never Stops Healing
Groundbreaking research published in Nature confirms the brain forms new neural pathways decades after injury — recovery has no expiration date.
∞
potential for recovery with the right support
Brain Injury Type
Stroke
Know the Signs. Act Fast. Save Lives.
Every year in the UK, over 100,000 people have a stroke — that's one every five minutes. Stroke is a medical emergency, and recognising the warning signs quickly can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability, or even death.
1
every 5 minutes
a stroke happens in the UK
Recognise the Signs — Use FAST
Know what to look for. Act without hesitation.
Face
Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? Is their mouth or eye drooping?
Arms
Can they raise both arms and keep them there? Is there weakness or numbness?
Speech
Is their speech slurred or garbled? Can they understand you?
Time
Call 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs. Every second counts.
Call 999 immediately. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. There are two main types: ischaemic strokes (caused by a blockage) and haemorrhagic strokes (caused by a bleed). Both are serious and require immediate medical attention.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Many strokes are preventable. Key risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, and not smoking all significantly reduce your risk.
Why Speed Matters
Time is brain. For every minute a stroke goes untreated, approximately 1.9 million neurons die. The faster treatment is given — particularly clot-busting drugs or mechanical thrombectomy — the better the outcome.
What Research Is Telling Us
Referenced, peer-reviewed research only.
Blood Biomarker for Stroke Severity
Cambridge researchers identified a GFAP protein that predicts stroke severity within hours — potentially transforming A&E triage and enabling faster treatment decisions.
Cambridge University / The Lancet Neurology, 2024Mechanical Thrombectomy Window Extended
New evidence shows thrombectomy can now benefit patients up to 24 hours after stroke onset — dramatically expanding the treatment window for large vessel occlusion strokes.
New England Journal of Medicine, 2023AI Predicts Stroke Risk Before Symptoms
Deep learning applied to routine ECG data can identify patients at elevated stroke risk months before a stroke occurs — enabling preventative intervention.
Nature Medicine, 2024Lesser-Known Symptoms
Some of the most debilitating effects of brain injury are the ones nobody talks about. Click a symptom to explore the science, the lived experience, and emerging treatments.
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