Mild cognitive impairments in patients in the acute period of cardioembolic stroke

Aim – to study the features of moderate cognitive disorders in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the cardioembolic subtype during comprehensive neuropsychological testing in comparison with data on structural changes in brain tissue identified using visual semi-quantitative scales during magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Material and methods. The prospective observational study involved 60 patients (22 women and 38 men) diagnosed with cardioembolic stroke. The study participants were divided into two groups: patients with non-amnesic (neurodynamic) multifunctional type of moderate cognitive disorders (40 patients: 70% men, 30% women, mean age 64.3 years) and patients with amnestic multifunctional type (20 patients: 50% men, 50% women, mean age 76.1 years). All patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain using standard magnetic resonance scales. Results. Patients with non-amnestic multifunctional type of moderate cognitive disorders accounted for 67% of the examined patients (40 people), and 33% (20 people) were patients with amnestic multifunctional type. During the examination, neuropsychological features were identified in each group. 22% of patients (13 people) had infarctions in the “strategic” zones, and 45% of patients (27 people) had multiple focal ischemic strokes. In 90% of patients (54 people), there was a pronounced lesion of the white matter in the form of a hyper-intense signal from the periventricular and subcortical areas and a moderate widening of the cerebral sulci against the background of slight atrophy of the gyri. Conclusion. The comprehensive diagnostic approach, including neuropsychological testing and assessment of structural changes in the brain using visual semi-quantitative magnetic resonance scales, allows for the detection of cognitive impairments at the pre-dementia stage and the initiation of therapy aimed at preventing the progression of these impairments.