title: Cognitive function following stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review of the cognitive status following stroke and vascular cognitive impairment starts by questioning the concept of vascular dementia and related concepts. Our position is that in many cases these labels promote a superficial conceptualization of an inherently complex and heterogeneous phenomenon hampering a more detailed understanding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After stroke or disease of the cerebral vasculature, the cognitive and emotional outcome is dependent on a combination of three factors with the relative importance differing between causes. First, focal damage may lead to selective impairments that are dependent on the localization of the (grey matter) lesion. Second, diffuse neuronal dysfunction produces a more uniform profile of a decrease in mental speed, memory problems, and reduced executive functioning. Third, cognitive outcome is further modulated - notably in terms of severity - by patient variables such as age, sex, premorbid level of functioning, and comorbidity (e.g. hypertension).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complex character of the cognitive repercussions of stroke can be better harnessed by employing modern neuropsychological assessment procedures. This allows both a detailed categorization of the patients for the selection and effectiveness of therapeutic intervention, as well as the construction of reliable prognostic models.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University and Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.dehaan@fss.uu.nl
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.forename: Gudrun M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Nys
authors.forename: Martine J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Van Zandvoort
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015984:Causality; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*