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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
Published on: June 18, 2021
Cognitive dysfunction in a patient with brainstem hemorrhage
Shinichiro Maeshima1, Aiko Osawa, Katsuzo Kunishio
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurosurgery, Kawasaki Medical School, Kawasaki Hospital, Okayama, Japan. maeshima@saitama-med.ac.jp
Summary
A brainstem hemorrhage in the pons can cause secondary cognitive deficits, such as amnesia and executive dysfunction, in distant brain regions. This phenomenon, known as diaschisis, highlights the interconnectedness of brain function following stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Brainstem hemorrhage is a critical neurological event.
- Cognitive impairments following brainstem stroke are not fully understood.
Observation:
- A patient with brainstem hemorrhage presented with vertigo, vomiting, attention deficits, and anterograde amnesia.
- MRI revealed pontine hematoma; SPECT showed reduced perfusion in the brainstem, frontal, and temporal lobes.
Findings:
- Pontine hemorrhage led to diaschisis, causing reduced activity in distant cerebral areas.
- Cognitive symptoms (amnesia, executive dysfunction) improved with recovery of regional cerebral blood flow.
Implications:
- Pontine lesions can induce remote functional deficits via diaschisis.
- Understanding diaschisis is crucial for managing cognitive impairments after brainstem strokes.
- This case underscores the importance of assessing global brain function post-brainstem hemorrhage.
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