Doctors Look for Explanation to Serene Branson's Speech Problems

By The Editors at AOL News Posted Feb 15th 2011 01:40PM

CBS Los Angeles reporter Serene Branson says that she is doing well and that her garbled speech during a live post-Grammys report was not the result of a medical problem, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Emmy-nominated reporter, whom viewers thought may have suffered a stroke or seizure when she became completely incoherent on the air, was immediately examined by paramedics but not hospitalized after the incident.

"The Episode Should Be Taken Seriously"

Despite Branson's insistence that she's fine, doctors who have examined the now heavily circulated footage of the incident continue to express concerns.

"This is what we call a class neurological event," Dr. Keith Black, director of the Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told NBC's 'Today' show. "She was obviously aware that she was having difficulty."

According to Black, Branson's episode was likely the result of a transient ischemic attack, essentially a "blockage in blood flow going to the brain," or a "mini-seizure located in the language area."

The New York Post also spoke to doctors who viewed the tape, and they said that Branson's garbled speech could have resulted from "aphasia, which affects the ability to articulate, and that it could have been brought on by a mini-stroke, a tumor or a circulatory issue."

Tags: serene branson

Comments

(8)

Tuesday 15 February

By Sheree Gold

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If you are going to write articles about people, could you at least spell their names correctly in the headlines? Her first name is Serene, not Serena.

By Trisha

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Typo. Big deal.

By Kathy

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Serena should not be so quick to say it was not a medical problem. Obviously, if it is some of the problems Dr's are speculating it could be, simple checks by Paramedics prove nothing. It would take extensive tests in the hosptial to rule out potential problems. I hope her bosses insist she get further tests to be on the safe side.

By Daeanarah

She really should have tests. Mini-strokes, Mini-seizures should NOT be taken lightly, nor dismissed.
If she has the insurance, which will allow her to have an EEG, MRI/CT Scan, then she should have it done.
I'm still waiting for the pre-auth from my insurance to go get one.
There are many more who can't get one either!

By QueenKate

An examination by paramedics and a ride home does not equal a medical exam with a CT scan and MRI. Paramedics are not doctors. Releasing such a statement was silly and uselss on the part of the TV station.

By John

This young lady must not shake off this occurrence. She was clearly not intoxicated, which means she must have had a medical episode. This is almost certainly a TIA, which is often called a mini-stroke. But there is no such thing as a mini stroke. All are serious, and indicate a high probability of worse problems in the future.

By MaryMRevis

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God bless her and it's WONDERFUL to see that she had people who were aware around her and advised her to seek medical help. I believe she knew something was happening to her, while she was on air. She could have brushed it off saying "I'm fine", but she didn't. She took good advise and sought help, and is now getting medically diagnosed and treatment. Folks...never brush things like this off...seek help as soon as you realize something isn't right like Serene did.

Wednesday 16 February

By sandy

A few years ago my girlfriends daughter had called her and started talking jibberish just like this and out of no where.
She went thru zillions of tests,blood, cat scans etc, it turns
out she was on birth control and that this pill was doing this to her!!!! She no longer is on birth control and no longer suffers any symptoms

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