A stroke that lasts for a short period of time. Caused by interrupted blood flow to part of the brain.
Symptoms include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.
A TIA is often a warning sign for a forthcoming serious stroke. Stroke and TIAs are associated with high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, heart disease, carotid artery disease, diabetes, and heavy use of alcohol.
Some information in above write up from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/tia_doc.htm