Cognitive Impairment following Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke

• Author / Creator

  Sivakumar, Leka

• Background: Ischemic stroke is associated with cognitive impairment, but the acute cognitive sequelae of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke is unknown. We hypothesized that transient cognitive impairment can be predicted by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volume.

  Methods: TIA/minor stroke patients (NIH Stroke Scale ≤ 3) underwent Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental Status Examination and MRI at baseline, days 7 and 30.

  Results: One hundred patients were included. MoCA detected cognitive impairment in 54% of patients at baseline. Recall deficits resolved, while deficits in language were persistent. WMH volumes were inversely predictive of MoCA scores after 30 days (β=-0.519, p<0.0001). Patients with persisting deficits were more likely to have frontal cortical lesions (86%, p=0.038) and higher WMH volumes (9.56mL, p=0.04).

  Conclusions: TIA/minor stroke patients have evidence of temporary acute cognitive impairment. Deficits are correlated with chronic WMH load. Temporary cognitive deficits should be considered in the management of TIA/minor stroke.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Minor stroke
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Transient ischemic attack

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R39882Z4R

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.