A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by a temporary state of
reduced blood flow in a portion of the brain. This is most
frequently caused by tiny blood clots that temporarily occlude a
portion of the brain. A primary blood supply to the brain is
through two arteries in the neck (the carotid arteries) that branch
off within the brain to multiple arteries that supply specific
areas of the brain. During a TIA, the temporary disturbance of
blood supply to an area of the brain results in a sudden, brief
decrease in brain function.
Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Daniel
B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical
School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
