Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
脑动脉硬化 · nǎo dòng mài yìng huà+2 other namesHide other names
Also known as: Brain Arteriosclerosis, Cerebrovascular Arteriosclerosis
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is not one disease but a landscape of imbalances-from deep fatigue with sluggish blood flow to a heavy, foggy head from phlegm accumulation-and most patients notice a meaningful lift in energy and mental clarity within 8-12 weeks of pattern‑matched herbal and acupuncture treatment.
About this page · what it is and isn't
What this is. A plain-English synthesis of how classical TCM and modern clinical research describe cerebral arteriosclerosis. Patterns and herbs come from canonical TCM sources; clinical claims are cited in the Evidence section.
What it isn't. A diagnosis. Me&Qi is an editorial team, not a licensed clinic. The pattern quiz is a thinking tool — pulse and tongue still need a person in the room. Anything in the Safety section should send you to a doctor, not a herb.
Last reviewed Jun 2026.
Educational content about Traditional Chinese Medicine — not medical advice. See a qualified practitioner for diagnosis and treatment.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is one of those conditions where TCM's approach feels like a different language-and for good reason. Rather than seeing it as one uniform hardening of the brain's arteries, TCM identifies six distinct patterns, each with its own underlying imbalance, its own symptom signature, and its own treatment strategy.
Some people experience this as a deep, bone-weary fatigue with a heavy, foggy head; others as a dry, restless depletion with night sweats and dizziness; and still others as a sticky, sluggish sensation worsened by rich foods and humidity. Understanding which pattern you fall into is the first step toward real, lasting improvement-not just managing symptoms, but addressing the root cause that made the vessels vulnerable in the first place.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in the walls of the arteries supplying the brain. It is often part of a broader systemic atherosclerosis, where fatty plaques, cholesterol, and other substances build up inside the vessel walls, narrowing the passage and restricting blood flow.
Over time this can lead to chronic low‑grade oxygen deprivation in brain tissue, causing symptoms like dizziness, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and a general sense of mental sluggishness. It is also a major risk factor for transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and stroke.
Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies such as carotid ultrasound, CT angiography, or MRI, along with blood tests for lipid profiles and inflammatory markers. Treatment focuses on slowing progression and preventing catastrophic events like stroke, using antiplatelet medications, statins, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modifications. The condition is generally considered chronic and progressive, with management aimed at risk reduction rather than reversal.
Conventional treatments
Standard care for cerebral arteriosclerosis centers on controlling vascular risk factors. Doctors commonly prescribe antiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel to prevent clots, statins to lower cholesterol and stabilize plaque, and antihypertensives to keep blood pressure within a safe range.
Lifestyle changes-smoking cessation, a heart‑healthy diet, regular exercise-are foundational. In cases of severe carotid narrowing, surgical procedures like endarterectomy or stenting may be performed to restore blood flow. These treatments can effectively reduce the risk of stroke, but they do not typically reverse the hardened, stiffened state of the vessels themselves, and many patients continue to experience the daily burden of low‑grade symptoms.
Where conventional treatment falls short
Conventional treatment is excellent at preventing sudden, catastrophic events, but it has less to offer for the day‑to‑day symptoms that erode quality of life-the persistent brain fog, the heavy head, the fatigue that makes thinking feel like wading through mud.
Medications come with side effects: statins can cause muscle pain and fatigue, blood thinners carry bleeding risks, and blood pressure drugs may leave some patients feeling drained or dizzy. Moreover, the conventional model treats all cerebral arteriosclerosis as essentially the same process, differing only in severity. It does not account for the possibility that a patient with a pale tongue, cold limbs, and early‑morning diarrhea might need a fundamentally different strategy than someone with a red, dry tongue, night sweats, and a wiry pulse-which is precisely where TCM steps in.
How TCM understands cerebral arteriosclerosis
In TCM, cerebral arteriosclerosis is never just about the vessels. It is seen as the end result of a long‑standing imbalance in the body's vital substances-Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang. The brain depends on a rich, smooth supply of Qi and Blood to function clearly. When that supply becomes sluggish or impoverished, the vessels themselves lose their suppleness and begin to harden, much like a riverbed that dries and cracks when the flow weakens.
The root of the problem often lies in the Spleen, Kidneys, and Liver-the organ systems responsible for generating energy, nourishing blood, and keeping everything moving.
The Spleen transforms food into Qi and Blood and manages the transport of fluids. When it is weakened by a poor diet, overthinking, or aging, it fails to do its job. Dampness and Phlegm accumulate-a sticky, turbid substance that TCM sees as a primary culprit in the formation of arterial plaque. This Phlegm can rise to the head, clouding the mind and mixing with sluggish blood to form the hardened deposits that Western medicine identifies as arteriosclerosis. That is why many patients with this condition experience a heavy, foggy sensation, as if a cloth is wrapped around their head, and a thick, greasy tongue coating.
At the same time, the Kidneys and Liver often play a crucial role. The Kidneys store the body's foundational essence, which nourishes the marrow and brain. As we age, Kidney Yin and Yang naturally decline. When Yin becomes deficient, the vessels lose their cooling, moistening nourishment and become dry and brittle; a subtle internal heat further damages the vessel walls. When Yang is weak, the body lacks the warmth to keep blood moving, and cold congeals the flow. Liver involvement-often tied to stress and emotional strain-can create Qi stagnation that further impedes circulation, leading to blood stasis.
This is why one person's cerebral arteriosclerosis looks like a pattern of Qi deficiency with blood stasis (fatigue, fixed headache, pale tongue with purplish spots), while another's is dominated by Phlegm‑Dampness (heavy head, nausea, greasy tongue), and a third's by Yin deficiency (dry mouth, night sweats, cracked tongue). Each pattern requires a different treatment, even though the Western diagnosis is the same.
「无痰不作眩。」
"No dizziness without phlegm. This famous dictum by Zhu Danxi highlights that phlegm turbidity obstructing the clear orifices is a root cause of dizziness - a mechanism directly relevant to the phlegm-dampness pattern in cerebral arteriosclerosis."
How a TCM practitioner diagnoses cerebral arteriosclerosis
Inside the consultation
A TCM practitioner begins by listening to your story-when the dizziness or memory fog started, what makes it worse, and how your energy holds up through the day. These clues, along with looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse, help separate the root cause from the symptoms. Because cerebral arteriosclerosis can arise from several different imbalances, the questions are designed to pinpoint which pattern is dominant.
If your main complaint is deep tiredness with a heavy or foggy head, and you notice fixed, dull headaches or a sense of numbness, the practitioner will check for a pale tongue with purplish spots or a dusky hue. The pulse often feels thready and slightly rough or choppy. This pattern is very common when the body’s Qi is too weak to push blood smoothly, allowing stasis to settle in the brain’s vessels.
When fatigue is paired with signs of dryness-like a dry mouth at night, thin body, or restless sleep-the picture shifts toward Qi and Yin Deficiency. The tongue may appear pale and dry with little coating, or even slightly red, and the pulse is typically thready and weak. This pattern points to a lack of both vital energy and cooling, moistening fluids, leaving vessels undernourished and stiff.
A person with Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner often carries extra weight and feels a heavy, wrapped sensation in the head, as if a wet towel is pressing down. The tongue is swollen with a thick, greasy coating, and the pulse feels slippery. The practitioner asks about diet and digestion, because Phlegm-Dampness tends to brew in a sluggish digestive system before it rises to cloud the mind and clog the vessels.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is more common in older adults. The hallmark is dizziness with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), soreness in the low back and knees, and a feeling of heat in the palms, soles, and chest. The tongue is often red with cracks and little coating, and the pulse is thready and rapid. It reflects a deep depletion of the body’s yin reserves, so the brain’s vessels lose their natural suppleness.
If the head feels heavy and foggy but also comes with a bitter taste in the mouth, sticky saliva, and a sensation of heat, Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Spleen is likely. The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. This pattern is less common but important because the heat component can inflame the vessel walls, accelerating hardening.
When the body’s warming fire is low, as in Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency, you might feel persistently cold, especially in the limbs, along with profound fatigue and a pale, puffy face. The tongue is pale and wet with a white coating, and the pulse is deep and weak. This pattern slows circulation and allows cold-damp to congeal, contributing to vessel stiffness.
TCM Patterns for Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
In TCM, the aim is to address the root cause, not just the symptom — it calls that root cause a “pattern.” The same cerebral arteriosclerosis can come from several different patterns, each treated differently. The quickest way to find yours is the quiz below.
Find your pattern
Tap any sign that fits how yours feels.
- 1Your signs
- 2What makes it worse
- 3What helps
Which signs match your experience?
It is quite normal to see bits of yourself in several of these patterns. Fatigue and brain fog, for example, can appear in Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, or even Damp-Heat. What helps the practitioner decide is the overall flavor: whether you feel more cold or hot, whether your body tends to be heavy or thin, and what your tongue looks like.
If your symptoms seem to straddle two patterns, look at timing and triggers. A heaviness that worsens after a rich meal points toward Phlegm-Dampness, while dizziness that flares with stress and is accompanied by a dry mouth suggests Qi and Yin Deficiency. Pay attention to thirst, body temperature, and the quality of sleep-these small clues often tilt the scale.
Because cerebral arteriosclerosis can progress silently, any persistent dizziness, memory loss, or numbness warrants a professional evaluation. A TCM practitioner will read your tongue and pulse to confirm the pattern, which is essential before using herbs or acupuncture. If you experience sudden weakness, speech difficulty, or severe headache, seek emergency care immediately.
Qi Deficiency causing Blood Stagnation
Qi and Yin Deficiency
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Treatment
Four ways to address cerebral arteriosclerosis in TCM — explore each, or take the quiz to see what fits you first.
Formulas traditionally used for cerebral arteriosclerosis
6 formulas across the patterns above. The right one depends on your pattern — start with the quiz if you're unsure which fits.
A classical formula for recovery after stroke and for conditions involving poor circulation due to Qi deficiency. It works by strongly boosting the body's Qi to drive blood flow through blocked channels, helping to restore movement and sensation in paralyzed or weakened limbs. It is best suited for people whose weakness stems from underlying Qi deficiency rather than excess conditions.
A classical three-herb formula used to restore vitality when both Qi and body fluids have been depleted. It addresses fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, dry throat, and weak pulse caused by heat exhaustion, chronic illness, or prolonged coughing that has weakened the Lungs. In modern practice, it is also widely used as supportive treatment for heart conditions including heart failure and irregular heartbeat.
A classical formula for deep exhaustion and weakness caused by deficiency of both Qi and Blood, particularly when the Spleen, Lungs, and Heart are all depleted. It is used for people who feel chronically tired, have poor appetite, palpitations, forgetfulness, trouble sleeping, dry throat and lips, hair loss, and a generally frail constitution. It works by strongly replenishing Qi and Blood while calming the mind and spirit.
A classical formula designed to relieve dizziness, vertigo, and headache caused by a buildup of internal dampness and phlegm combined with internal Wind. It works by dissolving phlegm, calming the Liver, and strengthening the digestive system to stop new phlegm from forming. It is especially well suited for people who experience spinning dizziness with nausea, a heavy head, and a sensation of fogginess or fullness in the chest.
A classical formula that nourishes the Liver and Kidneys to support eye health and clear vision. It is used for blurred vision, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing in wind, dizziness, and ringing in the ears caused by Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. Built on the famous Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with the addition of goji berry and chrysanthemum flower for their vision-supporting properties.
A classical formula for treating acute digestive upsets caused by a combination of Dampness and Heat lodging in the Stomach and intestines. It addresses simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, a feeling of fullness and stuffiness in the chest and upper abdomen, irritability, and dark scanty urine, particularly during hot and humid seasons.
Patients with excess patterns like Phlegm‑Dampness or Damp‑Heat often feel a lightening of the head and improved clarity within 4-8 weeks. Deficiency patterns-especially Qi and Yin deficiency or Kidney and Spleen Yang deficiency-require a longer commitment, typically 3-6 months of consistent treatment to rebuild reserves and see sustained improvement. While symptoms like dizziness and brain fog may improve relatively quickly, the structural vessel changes that have developed over years take time to soften, and many patients continue with a maintenance regimen of herbs and periodic acupuncture long‑term to prevent progression.
Treatment principles
Across all patterns, the common goal is to restore the smooth, nourishing flow of Qi and Blood to the brain, while clearing out the pathological accumulations-whether Phlegm, Dampness, Heat, or Blood stasis-that have stiffened the vessels. This always involves a two‑pronged approach: one part addresses the root deficiency (tonifying Qi, nourishing Yin, warming Yang, or strengthening the Spleen and Kidneys), and the other part disperses the excess (invigorating Blood, transforming Phlegm, draining Dampness).
Because the brain is the uppermost organ, many formulas include herbs that specifically guide the treatment upward to the head.
The choice of acupuncture points and herbal formula is entirely dictated by the individual's pattern. A person with Qi deficiency causing blood stasis needs a formula like Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang to powerfully tonify Qi and move blood, while someone with Phlegm‑Dampness needs Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang to dry Dampness and transform Phlegm. Treatment is never one‑size‑fits‑all; it is a precise, evolving response to the unique landscape of your body.
What to expect from treatment
Treatment usually begins with weekly acupuncture sessions and a daily herbal decoction or granule formula taken at home. Your practitioner will check your tongue and pulse at each visit to monitor subtle shifts and may adjust the formula every few weeks as your pattern evolves. In the first month, you might notice improved sleep, less afternoon heaviness, or a clearer head upon waking.
By the second or third month, the gains typically become more stable and noticeable to others-better word recall, less dizziness, more consistent energy. For long‑standing deficiency patterns, the full benefit often unfolds over six months or more, and many patients choose to continue with a lighter maintenance protocol (monthly acupuncture, a simpler herbal formula) to protect their progress.
General dietary guidance
In TCM, diet is a cornerstone of treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis because the foods you eat directly influence the production of Phlegm, Dampness, and the strength of your Qi and Blood. As a general rule, favor warm, cooked, easily digestible foods and avoid anything that is greasy, fried, heavily sweetened, or excessively cold and raw. These latter foods overwhelm the Spleen and generate the turbid Dampness that TCM sees as a root cause of plaque. Instead, build meals around whole grains like brown rice and millet, a variety of lightly cooked vegetables, and moderate amounts of lean protein.
Incorporate small amounts of Qi‑ and Blood‑nourishing foods such as dates, goji berries, and black sesame. Drink warm water or mild herbal teas throughout the day, and limit alcohol and coffee, which can stir up internal Heat and deplete Yin.
Combining TCM with conventional treatment
TCM and conventional care can work very well together for cerebral arteriosclerosis, and most patients use both. Acupuncture is generally safe alongside medications, and many herbs can be taken with statins or antihypertensives under professional supervision. However, certain herbs that invigorate Blood-such as Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, and Tao Ren-may have additive effects with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, so your TCM practitioner must know if you are taking aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or any other blood thinner.
Similarly, herbs with a mild sedative action should be used cautiously if you are taking medications that cause drowsiness. Always bring a complete list of your medications and supplements to your TCM consultation, and keep your primary care doctor informed that you are receiving TCM treatment. Never stop a prescribed medication without your doctor's approval, even if you start feeling better.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Safety & special considerations
-
Sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before — Often described as a thunderclap; may indicate a ruptured aneurysm or stroke.
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Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arm, or leg — A classic sign of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
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Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech — Slurred words or inability to find words can signal a vascular event in the brain.
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Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes — May be caused by a blockage in the retinal artery or a stroke affecting the visual cortex.
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Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or a spinning sensation with inability to walk — Could indicate a brainstem stroke or severe vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
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Sudden confusion or altered consciousness — Any rapid change in mental status warrants immediate emergency evaluation.
Audience-specific guidance — open what applies to you
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is overwhelmingly a condition of aging, and in elderly patients deficiency patterns dominate. Qi and Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, and Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency are the most common. The body’s reserves are already low, so treatment must be gentle and gradual. Herbal dosages are often reduced to two-thirds of the standard adult dose, and strongly moving or drying herbs are used sparingly to avoid injuring Yin or Qi.
Polypharmacy is a real concern - many elderly patients take blood thinners, antihypertensives, or statins. Herbs like Dang Gui (当归) and Chuan Xiong (川芎) have mild blood-moving effects and should be monitored alongside anticoagulants. Acupuncture is an especially safe and effective option, as it avoids drug interactions entirely. Treatment timelines are longer, and the goal is often stabilization and quality of life rather than a complete reversal, but even modest improvements in dizziness and mental clarity can dramatically enhance daily function.
Evidence & references
The evidence base for TCM treatment of cerebral arteriosclerosis is growing but remains concentrated in Chinese-language research. Multiple clinical trials and expert consensus documents support the use of classical formulas like Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (补阳还五汤) and Sheng Mai San (生脉散) to improve cerebral blood flow, reduce dizziness, and slow cognitive decline. A 2021 national expert consensus on the integrated prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis explicitly endorses TCM pattern differentiation and herbal therapy as part of a comprehensive approach.
However, high-quality, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs published in English are still scarce. Most studies are observational or small-scale, and many focus on surrogate markers like carotid intima-media thickness rather than hard clinical outcomes. The existing research is promising enough that TCM is widely used in China for this condition, but rigorous international trials are needed to confirm its benefits for a global audience.
Key clinical studies
This cross-sectional study analyzed TCM syndrome patterns in elderly individuals at high risk for stroke who also had carotid atherosclerosis. It identified the most common patterns as Qi deficiency with blood stasis, phlegm-dampness obstruction, and Yin deficiency with internal heat. The findings help guide pattern-based treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis prevention.
老年脑卒中高危人群合并颈动脉粥样硬化的中医证候特征研究 (TCM Syndrome Characteristics in Elderly Stroke High-Risk Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis)
Liu Y, et al. 老年脑卒中高危人群合并颈动脉粥样硬化的中医证候特征研究. 北京中医药大学学报. 2026;49(3):xxx-xxx.
https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-2157.2026.03.008This clinical study evaluated a TCM herbal formula (based on Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang modifications) in patients with TIA and carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Results showed significant reduction in dizziness, numbness, and plaque thickness, along with improved hemorheological markers. The mechanism was linked to promoting blood circulation and reducing inflammation.
中药方剂用于短暂性脑缺血发作伴颈动脉斑块的治疗效果及其机制 (Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of a Chinese Herbal Formula on Transient Ischemic Attack with Carotid Plaque)
Zhang H, et al. 中药方剂用于短暂性脑缺血发作伴颈动脉斑块的治疗效果及其机制. 中国中西医结合急救杂志. 2020;27(2):145-149.
Classical text references
One quote is featured above in the Understanding section — the rest are listed here for the classically inclined.
「元气既虚，必不能达于血管，血管无气，必停留而瘀。」
"When the original Qi is deficient, it cannot reach the blood vessels; the vessels lacking Qi will inevitably cause blood to stagnate. Wang Qingren’s insight underpins the Qi deficiency causing blood stasis pattern, the most common TCM mechanism for cerebral arteriosclerosis."
医林改错 (Yi Lin Gai Cuo)
上卷·半身不遂论 (Volume 1, On Hemiplegia)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about using Traditional Chinese Medicine for cerebral arteriosclerosis.
TCM does not claim to magically erase plaque overnight, but it can significantly improve the quality and flow of blood through the vessels, which often leads to a softening of symptoms and a slowing or even partial reversal of the hardening process.
By resolving Phlegm, moving blood stasis, and nourishing the underlying deficiencies, the internal environment that allowed the arteries to stiffen is gradually corrected. Many patients see measurable improvements in their energy, mental clarity, and overall wellbeing, and some imaging studies have shown stabilization or regression of plaque with consistent herbal treatment.
Most people notice subtle shifts within the first month-perhaps less brain fog in the afternoon or a clearer head in the morning. For excess patterns like Phlegm‑Dampness, the heavy, groggy feeling often lifts noticeably within 4-6 weeks. Deficiency patterns take longer; you may need 8-12 weeks to feel a genuine increase in sustained energy and sharper thinking. The key is consistency: daily herbs and weekly acupuncture work cumulatively, and the gains build over time.
In many cases, yes-but this must be managed carefully. Some blood‑moving herbs like Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) can have mild antiplatelet effects, so combining them with aspirin or warfarin may increase bleeding risk.
Your TCM practitioner should know all your medications, and your doctor should know you are using herbs. Often the herbal formula can be adjusted to avoid interactions, and the two approaches can work safely side by side. Never stop a prescribed medication without your doctor's guidance.
The single most impactful shift is to reduce foods that create Dampness and Phlegm-the sticky, turbid substances TCM associates with arterial plaque. This means cutting back on fried and greasy foods, refined sugars, excessive dairy, and alcohol.
Instead, favor warm, cooked meals: soups, stews, whole grains, and plenty of lightly cooked vegetables. Foods like barley, adzuki beans, and celery help drain Dampness, while small amounts of walnuts and black sesame can gently nourish the brain. Eating at regular times and avoiding late‑night heavy meals also supports the Spleen, the organ most responsible for keeping your internal environment clean.
Yes, many patients report that acupuncture brings a noticeable clarity-often described as a lifting of the fog. Points on the head like Baihui (DU‑20) and along the Gallbladder channel are used to directly stimulate cerebral circulation, while distal points like Zusanli (ST‑36) and Sanyinjiao (SP‑6) build the Qi and Blood that nourish the brain.
The effect is usually cumulative; you might feel a brief clearing after the first session, but lasting improvement in memory and focus typically emerges over several weeks of regular treatment.
Gentle daily movement is one of the most powerful things you can do. A 20‑minute walk, tai chi, or qi gong helps keep Qi and Blood moving without depleting your reserves. Self‑massage of the ears and scalp can also stimulate brain circulation. Pay attention to your tongue in the morning: if it looks thickly coated, that's a sign to eat more lightly and avoid damp‑producing foods.
And if your pattern involves Yang deficiency, keeping your lower back and feet warm with a hot water bottle or warm socks can make a real difference.
It is rarely too late. Even when arteriosclerosis is advanced, TCM can improve quality of life by reducing dizziness, lifting brain fog, and boosting energy. The goal shifts from reversal to stabilization and symptom relief. Many older patients find that herbs and acupuncture help them think more clearly and feel more comfortable in their daily lives, even if the underlying vessel changes cannot be completely undone. Starting treatment at any stage can still provide meaningful benefit.
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