The assessment of cognitive functions in patients with isolated cerebellar infarctions: A follow-up study

The role of the cerebellum on cognitive functions have been well-defined; however, the information related to the progress in time process is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cognitive function of patients with isolated cerebellar infarction in both the acute stage and the follow-up period. Twenty-three patients with isolated cerebellar infarction and 22 healthy control were examined through an extensive neuropsychological assessment battery. The patients were evaluated in the acute stage and at least six months after the stroke in the follow-up period. There were no significant differences between the patients and the controls regarding age (52.2 ± 7.0 and 54.9 ± 6.6, p = 0.184) and gender (Female/Male: 6/17 and 7/15, p = 0.672). There was no statistically significant difference between patients with right cerebellar infarction and left cerebellar infarction in terms of cognitive functions. Verbal fluency, attention, and verbal and non-verbal episodic memory scores were significantly lower in patient group in the acute stage when compared to the control group. When the follow-up evaluation was compared to acute stage, it was revealed that patients had recovered in all areas; however, less improvement was seen in word reading time. Our results support that lesions of the cerebellum affect cognitive functions in the acute stage. However, the improvement was demonstrated in all cognitive functions in the follow-up period.