In a new study, patients who received carotid artery stents for stroke prevention reported improvements in memory. Some said they could see colors brighter, and could think better.

The study, presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 31st Annual Scientific meeting, involved the most comprehensive measurement of pre- and post-neurocognitive effects in any study to date of carotid stenting.

Improvements in Memory, Thinking

We know from previous studies that carotid stenting can prevent a stroke in those at high risk, but what we didn't know is that the treatment makes people's brains function better, said study author Dr. Rodney Raabe, a Spokane, Wash.-based interventional radiologist.

Their memory improved, some say they see colors brighter, and they can think better.

Currently, asymptomatic patients are generally treated if their carotid artery is more than 80 percent stenosed -- blocked with plaque -- because patients with severely stenosed carotid arteries are at risk for stroke.