What condition is characterized by damage to the brain due to interrupted blood supply?

The condition characterized by damage to the brain due to interrupted blood supply is a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting the necessary nutrients and oxygen. This lack of blood supply can lead to the death of brain cells and loss of function in the affected areas. Strokes can be caused by several factors, including blood clots (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).

In the context of the other options, while an embolism refers to a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a clot or foreign material that travels through the bloodstream, it can lead to a stroke. A thrombus involves a clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains there, which can also cause a stroke if it obstructs blood flow to the brain. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is often referred to as a "mini-stroke" and involves temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, but it does not result in permanent damage like a full stroke does. Therefore, the most accurate and comprehensive answer to the question about brain damage due to interrupted blood supply is a stroke.