Science / Medicine : Antibody May Be Linked to Stroke

A certain type of antibody in the blood can apparently increase the risk of stroke, researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center reported last week at an American Heart Assn. meeting. In a study at 16 medical centers, they found that the so-called anticardiolipin antibodies were more than twice as likely to be found in stroke patients as in people hospitalized for other medical conditions.

“It seems we may have a new risk factor for stroke, one that could be as important as diabetes in increasing the chances of a stroke,” said neurologist Steven Kittner, head of the team.

The researchers believe that the antibodies interfere with the body’s blood-clotting mechanism, making it more likely that dangerous clots form and lodge in the brain. The normal function of the antibodies is unknown.