Cognitive impairments in patients with prior ischemic stroke

Abstract

The authors give the data available in the literature on and the results of their studies of the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The latter occurs in 35—83% of patients; poststroke does in 6—40%. Different mechanisms of PSCI are under discussion; these are a single infarct in a strategic area of the brain; multiple focal lesion of the brain substance in restrokes; cerebral white-matter lesion as leukoaraiosis; the presence of concomitant Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The capacities for the diagnosis of concomitant AD in PSCI are analyzed. The treatment of the latter involves secondary prevention of stroke and specific therapy for cognitive, emotional-affective, and behavioral disorders. The experience with akatinol memantine used in postischemic dementia has been found to be positive.

Keywords

• poststroke cognitive disorders
• alzheimer’s disease
• akatinol memantine