How this site is written and reviewed.

All clinical content is written and reviewed by Zaka Ahmed, MD, a vascular neurology fellow at the University at Buffalo with neurology residency and stroke-research training. Full credentials, research, and publications are on the About page. Every article and clinical tool carries a visible author byline and a “last reviewed” date.

Where a topic would benefit from additional subspecialty review, that is noted on the page. As the site grows, named expert reviewers may be added for specific articles; any such review will be attributed.

Clinical statements are grounded in primary literature — randomized trials and major cohort studies — and current professional guidelines, principally those of the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association. Key claims are cited inline, and references link to PubMed so any reader can verify the original source.

We aim to be explicit about the strength of the evidence and about uncertainty. Where guidance differs between institutions or guidelines, or where the data are limited, the text says so rather than implying false precision. Drug doses, thresholds, and eligibility criteria are presented for education and may differ from your local protocol.

Medicine changes. Each page shows when it was last reviewed, and content is revised as the evidence and guidelines evolve. If you spot an error, an outdated statement, or a citation that does not support the claim it is attached to, please get in touch — corrections to clinical content are treated as a priority and made promptly.

The Vascular Brain is supported by display advertising (Google AdSense) and may include affiliate links on the recommendations page, where any affiliate relationship is disclosed. Advertising and affiliate revenue never influence clinical content: advertisers do not review, approve, or shape what is written, and any recommendation is made on clinical merit alone. Advertising is labeled and kept separate from editorial content. See the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for how advertising cookies and consent are handled.

This site is for education and information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and using it does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified clinician about your own care. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately. See the full Disclaimers.