APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN ONGOING ISCHEMIC STROKE IN A SUBJECT OR DETECTING WHETHER A SUBJECT IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING AN ISCHEMIC STROKE

摘要

There is provided an apparatus for detecting an ongoing ischemic stroke in a subject or detecting whether the subject is at risk of developing an ischemic stroke, the apparatus comprising a processing unit configured to control a stimulus component to apply a sensory stimulation to the subject to affect the flow of blood to the left part and/or right part of the brain of the subject; obtain measurements of the blood flow in left and right parts of the head and/or neck of the subject for a time period during and/or after the sensory stimulation is applied to the subject; determine a measure of asymmetry in the blood flow in the left and right parts of the head and/or neck of the subject from the obtained measurements; and determine whether the subject has an ongoing ischemic stroke or whether the subject is at risk of developing an ischemic stroke from the determined measure of asymmetry. A corresponding method of operating an apparatus is also provided.