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A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis
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Published on: November 22, 2024

Rates, Risks, and Routes to Reduce Vascular Dementia: A UK-Wide Multicentre Prospective Observational Cohort Study of

Philip M Bath1,2, Ellen V Backhouse3,4, Rosalind Brown3,4

  • 1Stroke Trials Unit, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, philip.bath@nottingham.ac.uk.

Cerebrovascular Diseases Extra
|June 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Stroke significantly impacts cognition, leading to vascular dementia. This study reveals a substantial, often overlooked, cognitive burden following stroke, even in the early weeks post-event.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Stroke frequently leads to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • Understanding post-stroke cognitive decline remains a significant challenge in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the rates, risks, and potential reduction strategies for vascular dementia (R4VaD).
  • To assess cognitive function, mood, and quality of life in stroke survivors.
  • To identify predictors of cognitive impairment after stroke.

Main Methods:

  • An observational cohort study (R4VaD) involving patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
  • Recruitment within six weeks of stroke from UK hospitals.
  • Primary outcome: dementia rate and severity at two years, compared between mild and severe stroke groups based on NIHSS scores.

Main Results:

  • 2441 patients were recruited, with 99.6% having a qualifying stroke or TIA event.
  • At baseline (within 6 weeks), 53.5% had normal cognition, while 46.5% exhibited varying degrees of cognitive impairment.
  • Patients with more severe strokes were recruited later, less likely to have capacity, and more prone to intracerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

  • Baseline data from the R4VaD study underscore the significant cognitive burden associated with stroke.
  • The findings highlight an under-appreciated cognitive impact of stroke, evident even in the early post-stroke period.
Abstract

Keywords:
Intracerebral haemorrhageIschaemic strokeObservational cohort studyPost-stroke cognitive impairmentPost-stroke dementiaStrokeVascular dementia

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