POSSIBILITIES FOR CORRECTING COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN STROKE IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD COVID-19

Abstract

Relevance. Mnestic functions in patients after stroke and coronavirus infection are not restored completely. Nowadays, the search for ways to overcome in such patients is actual. Objective: to find out the possibility of cognitive deficiency’ overcoming in persons after stroke who have suffered from COVID-19 by Phenibut pharmacocorrection and magnetic therapy. Materials and methods. 46 patients aged 40-60 years who had COVID-19 in anamnesis and ischemic stroke in the post-covid period were divided into 3 groups at the stage of comprehensive rehabilitation. In the 1st group (n=15) - the control group - no nootropic drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures were not asdministered; in group 2 (n=15), magnet stimulation procedures were performed for 20 days (frequency of basic impulses 180-195 Hz, frequency of a group of impulses 12,5-29 Hz, average induction of magnetic fields within 100 μT); group 3 (n=16) took Phenibut (β-Phenyl-GABA) one tablet (250 mg) 3 times a day for three months. The study of cognitive functions was carried out with the help of a short mental state scale - MMSE, a set of tests for the study of frontal dysfunction - FAB, a test for memorizing of 10 words according to the A.R. Luria’s method and clock drawing testing All groups were tested twice: at the beginning of the study and after three months. The obtained data were processed statistically; an ordinal logistic regression model was applied, in particular logistic regression with a cumulative relationship. The results. In group 2 the result of the subtest "Voluntary attention" improved (3,8±0,3 points vs. 3,1±0,2 in the control) and the FAB test (15, 2±1,2 points vs. 11,3±0,4 in control). In group 3, the cognitive functions in the MMSE (26,1±0,8 points vs. 21,2±0,6 in the control) and FAB (16,3±0,6 points vs. 11,3±0,4) tests probably improved. The results of the subtests "Discretionary attention" (3,8±0,1 points vs. 3,1±0,1) and "Memory" (2,6±0,2 points vs. 2,0±0,1) improved. In the test for 10 words memorizing, the difference in indicators, compared to the control, was in each subsequent presentation: 1,0±0,05; 1,1±0,09; 1,7±0,10 words, in delayed presentation 1,75±0,05 (in all cases p<0.05). Conclusions. The use of Phenibut and magnetic therapy in patients who have suffered a stroke after COVID-19 leads to regression of cognitive deficiency and depressive symptoms. The effect of Phenibut turned out to be better - the odds ratio, compared to the control, was 13,1.

Keywords

• stroke, mnestic dysfunctions, pathogenetic mechanisms of brain ischemia, post-stroke period, pharmacological correction, magnetic therapy