Cognitive performance after small strokes correlates with ischemia, not atrophy of the brain.
Computerized tomographic measures of recurrent cerebral infarctions, atrophy and local perfusion were all prospectively correlated with cognitive testing during treatment of risk factors plus antiplatelet therapy among vascular dementia patients. Neurological and cognitive status were quantified among 22 demented patients with small strokes and compared with 22 age-matched normal volunteers. In vascular dementia, risk factor control plus antiplatelet therapy reduced cerebral infarctions, increased perfusion, and stabilized or improved cognitive test performance, despite age-related, progressive cerebral atrophy.
Meyer
J S
JS
Cerebrovascular Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Tex., USA.
Obara
K
K
Muramatsu
K
K
Mortel
K F
KF
Shirai
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000523:psychology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed