Cerebral angiography and neuropsychological measurement: the twain may meet

In a sample of 31 cerebral revascularization candidates, severity and dissemination of atherosclerosis on the cerebral angiogram were correlated with two of three global indicators of neurobehavioral impairment. Additionally, the angiographic rating was correlated with age and with an index of medical risk factors, but not with duration of the longest symptomatic episode. It seems likely that several variables, particularly collateral circulation, help to determine whether a given pattern of stenoses results in neuropsychological dysfunction and what type of behavioral deficit occurs. In many cases, the configuration of neuropsychological test scores may not directly mirror the pattern of cerebrovascular stenoses.