Prospective study of neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms post-stroke

Stroke is a risk factor for neurocognitive disorder. Studies report that post-stroke neurocognitive disorder is present in 20 % to 80 % of cases. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are also reported, with depression being the most common. This study aims to establish the prevalence of neurocognitive disorder, depression, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with a first ischemic stroke.

Adult patients with a first ischemic stroke were evaluated at 3- and 12-months post-event using standard neuropsychological assessment, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Cummings Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Patients were classified as having normal cognitive performance and minor or major neurocognitive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.

A total of 36 patients with a mean age of 60.97 ± 16.98 years were included. Neurocognitive disorder (major and minor) was recorded in 63.8 % of cases at three months and 66.6 % at one year. Behavioral symptoms, according to the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, were observed in 69.4 % of cases at three months and 50 % at one year, while depressive symptoms, according to the Beck Depression Inventory-II, were present in 16.6 % of cases at three months and 22.2 % at one year. Arterial hypertension was the most common modifiable risk factor in this population and correlated with the presence of neurocognitive disorder.

Detecting neurocognitive disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms after a stroke is necessary based on their high prevalence reported, thereby allowing for proper management and comprehensive rehabilitation.