Stroke associated with acute, accelerated long-term cognitive decline

THURSDAY, Oct. 3, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Stroke is associated with acute and accelerated long-term cognitive decline in older stroke survivors, according to a study published online Oct. 2 JAMA network opened.

In a study using harmonized and pooled data from 14 population-based cohort studies, Jessica W. Lo from the University of New South Wales in Sydney and colleagues mapped the course of cognitive function before and after stroke in global cognition and four cognitive domains. Analyzes included 20,860 participants (mean age 72.9 years) who were followed for 7.51 years.

The researchers observed an association between stroke and a significant acute decline in global cognition (-0.25 standard deviation). [SD]), the Mini-Mental State Examination and all cognitive domains (ranging from −0.17 to −0.22 SD) compared to a stroke-free cognitive trajectory. In addition, there was an accelerated decline in global cognition (−0.038 SD per year) and all domains except memory (ranging from −0.020 to −0.055 SD per year). Compared with the rate of decline in individuals without stroke, no significant difference in the prestroke slope was found in stroke survivors on all cognitive measures. In global cognition, the average rate of decline without prior stroke was −0.049 SD per year.

“Targeting modifiable vascular risk factors at an early stage may reduce the risk of stroke, but also the later risk of stroke-related cognitive decline and cognitive impairment,” the authors write.

Several authors revealed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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