Spontaneous neurocognitive retrieval of patients with sub-acute ischemic stroke is associated with dietary protein intake.
OBJECTIVE
To document the relationship between neurocognitive recovery and macronutrient intake of patients suffering from ischemic strokes.


METHODS
Thirty day prospective study of 17 patients suffering from sub-acute stroke (> 14 days from the index event; 10 males, 7 females; mean age 75 +/- 8 years) admitted to our rehabilitation unit.


RESULTS
At admission (ADM), mean energy intake was inadequate (< 24 kcal/kg) for bodily needs, whereas protein (> 0.8 g/kg) and lipid (> 0.7 g/kg) intake was appropriate. Patients were moderately deficient for neurological (NIHSS 10.3 +/- 3.5) and cognitive tests (MMSE 22.5 +/- 3.3). NIHSS correlated negatively with proteins (r = -0.47, P = 0.05 at ADM; r = -0.52, P = 0.03 at 30 days) and positively with carbohydrate/protein ratio (CHO/protein; r = +0.45, P = 0.06 at ADM; r = +0.48, P = 0.05 at 30 days). However, MMSE correlated positively with proteins (r = +0.77, P = 0.0003 at ADM; r = +0.55, P = 0.02 at 30 days) and negatively with (CHO/Prot; r = -0.57, P = 0.02 at ADM; not significant at 30 days). The relationship remained significant even when the data at ADM and at 30 days where pooled.


CONCLUSIONS
In sub-acute strokes, patient neurological and cognitive retrieval could positively be associated with protein intake.
Aquilani
Roberto
R
Servizio di Fisiopatologia Metabolico-Nutrizionale e Nutrizione Clinica, Istituto Scientifico di Montescano, Montescano, Pavia, Italy.
Scocchi
Marco
M
Iadarola
Paolo
P
Viglio
Simona
S
Pasini
Evasio
E
Condello
Salvatore
S
Boschi
Federica
F
Pastoris
Ornella
O
Bongiorno
Andria I
AI
Verri
Manuela
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins