Doctor: Slurring Reporter Serene Branson Suffered Migraine, Not Stroke

Neurosurgeon says a complex migraine can mirror the symptoms of a stroke

By Natalie Finn Feb 18, 2011 12:00 AMTags
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Serene Branson appears to be out of the woods. And, happily, the woods weren't as dark and scary as some suspected.

The neurosurgeon who examined the KCBS-TV reporter after an on-air incident after the station's Grammys broadcast, in which she looked fine but the words coming out of her mouth were unintelligible, concludes that the veteran newswoman did not have a stroke, but rather was suffering from a complex migraine.

Suffering being the operative word.

The symptoms of a complex migraine, such as difficulty speaking, loss of vision and weakness, can mimic those of a stroke, Dr. Neil Martin, chief of neurosurgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, told the Los Angeles Times in explaining Branson's condition.

And, of course, there's the awful headache.

Branson was examined but not hospitalized Sunday night and underwent follow-up tests the next day, telling her KCBS team that she was feeling much better.

"Serene thanks everyone for their concern and good wishes and hopes to be back on the air very soon," read a statement on the station's website.