Cognitive Processes in Post-Stroke Period

Cognitive impairment is a common stroke-induced complication that aggravates the outcome of the disease. Post-stroke cognitive processes are an important research issue: unlike motor disorders, cognitive impairments prevent patients from adapting to their new state, which leads to social and professional maladjustment, as well as complicates the rehabilitation. This article describes the functioning of cognitive processes in post-stroke patients. The methods involved Schulte Table Test, Pictogram Method, Wartegg Test ("Circles"), Masselon Test, Gordon’s questionnaire, Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), McNair and Kahn’s Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R). Most participants demonstrated cognitive impairments. Moderate cognitive impairments of multifunctional amnestic type predominated; severe cognitive impairments were less numerous; mild cognitive impairments were scarce. Subjective cognitive disorders occurred very often and correlated with anxiety and depression. To test the age-dependance hypothesis, the participants were divided into two groups, i.e., those under 65 y.o. and those over 65 y.o. The 65-plusers were more prone to disorders of memory, attention, speech, thinking, imagination, gnosis, and praxis. The younger participants initially demonstrated subjective cognitive impairments, which were not confirmed by further neuropsychological tests.