Reporter Stroke? What Could Have Caused Serene Branson Video Flub?

CBS 2 reporter Serene Branson.

/ CBS

(CBS) - She's feeling fine.

That's what Serene Branson's colleagues said about her hours after the Los Angeles-based TV reporter experienced a scary-looking on-air speaking problem while covering the Grammys on Sunday night.

Branson started her report by saying, "A very heavy blurtation tonight," and it went downhill from there - until she was speaking complete gibberish.

But if Branson didn't suffer a serious health problem - one neurologist who watched the unsettling episode told CBS News that it looked like a stroke - what could it have been?

Turns out doctors have identified all sorts of conditions that can mimic strokes, including some that cause speech symptoms of the sort that Branson experienced. Here are seven common ones, as noted in Is It Stroke, or Something Else, an article published in the Jan. 2010 issue of "The Journal of Family Practice:"

• Seizures. Unlike strokes, seizures produce only transient symptoms.

• Migraine. So-called "complex" migraines can cause problems with speech, as well as vision loss and other symptoms that can mimic those caused by strokes.

• Infections. Body-wide infections can cause altered speech and other stroke-like symptoms.

• Brain tumors.

• Metabolic disorders. Low blood sugar resulting from uncontrolled diabetes (diabetic hypoglycemia) "is a classic srtoke mimic, as well as a cause of seizures," the article says.

• Psychiatric illnesses. Certain conditions can result in neurological "deficits" similar to those caused by stroke.

• Amnesia. A rare condition known as "transient global amnesia" - sometimes associated with severe physical or emotional stress - can mainly affects people over age 50.

[FMDAdvocate]

For those who would like to learn more about FMD, Fibromuscular Dysplasia please visit www.fmdsa.org

[awillis2]

I saw Serene on the Early Show on Feb. 19. I had to write to here right away. I had the same thing happen about 20 years ago. I didn't have the slurred speach but had all the other symtoms she experienced. I too thought it was a stroke and so did the Dr.'s until all the tests did not show anything. Went to a neurologist and he diagnosed me with complex migrane. Just want her to know it only happened the one time. So she needs to continue doing all the things she loves and don't dwell on it happening again. Of course it may, but like I said it only happened to me 1 time and that was 20 years ago. I am so glad she is feeling fine now.

[Jollymonso]

From all the descriptions of her episode I have read, and the video I have watched, the same exact thing happened to me about 2 months ago. I informed my family physician, and he sent me for Carotid Doppler and MRI of the brain (thought possible t.i.a even with my young age). Doppler-clear, MRI-not and I was sent for focused MRI of Pituitary-Grand Fossa. Found Microadenoma on the Pituitary. Before the neurosurgeon viewed the MRI films and I described my episode, he too told me that it sounded like my syptoms were Migraine related. He thought differently after viewing the MRI (no clouding in areas generally thought to cause Migraines, but still did not rule out migraine issues, on top of Pituitary problem. So have her go for an MRI to rule out other causes.

I will be having surgery to remove tumor when my next MRI comes back to see how much the tumor has grown. PLEASE get an MRI and doppler...this needs to be researched further than just a diagnosis of side effects caused by a Migraine. P-L-E-A-S-E do this!

[ArtfulMindBiz]

I saw the live feed of Serene and it was frightening.
I knew something was way off
I am soooo happy that Serene is doing well and continue to send all my best wishes for this beautiful young field reporter we are lucky to have here in L.A.

Vincent Medina
Managing Director
ArtfulMind.Biz

[lmruss29]

My gf had similar symptoms, turns out she has an arterial disease called fibromuscular dysplasia, which caused a dissection (or tear) in her carotid artery (neck artery), giving her stroke-like symptoms. This disease is *under* diagnosed! I'm not saying this woman has this, but it's worth checking into! People need to look past the usual suspects and dig deeper sometimes, especially with neurological events.

[FMDAdvocate]

Glad you mentioned FMD, Fibromuscular Dysplasia as a possible cause of Ms. Branson's stroke like symptoms. The NSA, National Stroke Association list Fibromuscular Dysplasia as an uncontrolled risk factor for stroke. Diagnosis is often made in women in her age group. And, unfortunately you are correct in saying this diagnosis is sometimes missed.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Maybe she just had a few...lol

[jackp32]

You forgot to include that she may need to have her dose for anti-depressants adjusted or she overdosed that particular day.

[tsigili]

There is something going on there.......and she needs to find out what it is.

[jazzjude]

I had a t.i.a. back in 1995, and my heart went to her when I watched this tape. I felt exactly the same way, but in my case I was at work, answering phones. I found I could take the message, but my right hand wasn't getting the message from the brain, i.e., couldn't write it down. I panicked so badly, couldn't remember anyone's name, etc. I spent most of the rest of the day in the E.R. having testing, and it was terrifying. I've never had a repeat of the experience, but man, I sure felt for her.

[CplDevilDog94]

Onset of a migraine. My wife does the same thing.