Cognitive deficits following stroke in the basal ganglia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of a stroke in the basal ganglia on cognitive functioning.


METHODS
As part of a larger prospective study on the neuropsychological and psychosocial consequences of stroke, 12 patients with a stroke confined to the basal ganglia were examined.


METHODS
The patients were assessed in one of the three participating hospitals.


METHODS
The results of 12 patients with a stroke in the basal ganglia (mean age 55 years), were compared to 24 controls (mean age 54.3 years).


METHODS
Different aspects of memory, attention and concentration, visuospatial and visuoconstructive functions, language and arithmetic were assessed using neuropsychological tests.


RESULTS
The data show a significant abnormality in cognitive functioning on all cognitive domains.


CONCLUSIONS
The results stress the notion that subcortical damage may lead to substantial neuropsychological disorders and have clear implications for neurological rehabilitation.
Hochstenbach
J
J
Sint Maartenskliniek-Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van Spaendonck
K P
KP
Cools
A R
AR
Horstink
M W
MW
Mulder
T
T
D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000098:blood supply*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies