How do cardiovascular risk factors correlate with post-stroke cognitive function: Directly or indirectly through...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment affects up to one-third of stroke survivors.
• Cardiovascular risk factors and stroke severity are linked to post-stroke cognition.
• The direct vs. indirect effects of risk factors on cognition, and the role of hypertension and diabetes, remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate direct and indirect associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function post-stroke.
• To examine the mediating role of stroke severity.
• To explore the moderating effects of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Main Methods:

• A moderated mediation model was used.
• 350 stroke survivors were assessed within 7 days of stroke.
• Cognitive function was measured using the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Main Results:

• Age, atrial fibrillation, and stroke severity were directly associated with lower cognitive function.
• Vascular disease and male sex were directly associated with better cognition.
• Higher education improved cognition directly and indirectly via stroke severity; hypertension modified the association between atrial fibrillation and cognition.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first in China to explore moderated and mediating associations between cardiovascular risk factors, stroke severity, and cognitive function.
• Age, female sex, and atrial fibrillation are linked to poorer post-stroke cognition.
• Hypertension may have a beneficial effect on cognitive function after stroke.