Evaluation and follow-up of cognitive functions in patients with minor stroke and transient ischemic attack

Abstract

Background and purpose: We aimed to examine the incidence of cognitive impairment among patients with stroke, the associated risk factors, progression of the cognitive impairment, and the association between the localization of the lesion(s) as detected by magnetic resonance imaging and the affected areas of cognitive function. Methods: A total of 40 patients over 18 years of age enduring a transient ischemic stroke or minor stroke within the past 3 months who had a minimum life expectancy of 1 year were included in this study. Same number, age-, and sex-matched individuals were included as controls. Patients were inquired on the presence of risk factors for stroke. A series of neuropsychological test batteries were administered in patient and control subjects for assessing cognitive functions. These tests were readministered at 6 and 12 months of follow-up to assess the progression of cognitive functions. Results: In this study among the patients with stroke, a significant impairment was seen in multiple cognitive functional tests following ischemic stroke as compared to control groups. The most common risk factors for stroke included hypertension (72.5%), hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking. The number of cognitive domains with an impairment was highest (in four cognitive tests) among those with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, followed by those who had a .50% stenosis in Doppler (three cognitive tests). These findings suggest that the frequency of risk factors associated with stroke does not correlate with the frequency of risk factors associated with cognitive dysfunction. The stroke localizations were classified among the patients with stroke and reviewed in accordance with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Neuropsychological tests, clinical findings, and imaging studies should be used to document the poststroke cognitive dysfunction.

Cognitive and Emotional Impairment after Minor Stroke and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI): A Prevalence Study

“…The prevalence of fatigue was high, but the studies were few and lacked relevant comparison groups. A prospective study from Turkey found significant cognitive impairment in patients with minor stroke and transient ischemic attack compared to controls [5], and, in a prospective Swiss study, poststroke fatigue was found in 34.7% at 12 months after a minor stroke [2].…”

“…Assessment of cognitive dysfunction and emotional symptoms is not routinely performed during follow-up and knowledge of the long-term impact of cognitive and emotional symptoms is sparse [3, 5], but attention to this issue is growing [13, 14]. There is no consensus on diagnostic criteria for minor stroke [15–19] which hampers research on this topic.…”

Protective efficacy of a single salvianolic acid A treatment on photothrombosis-induced sustained spatial memory impairments

“…Ischemic stroke, which has many sequelae including cognitive impairments, is one of the leading causes of disability in the world 1,2. However, few effective pharmacological treatments are available for promoting rehabilitation in the clinical practice 3,4.…”

“…Ischemic stroke, which has many sequelae including cognitive impairments, is one of the leading causes of disability in the world. 1 , 2 However, few effective pharmacological treatments are available for promoting rehabilitation in the clinical practice. 3 , 4 Many previous studies targeting neuroprotective therapy for ischemic stroke are focused on the salvage of the injured tissue and the improvement of functional outcome after stroke onset.…”