Poststroke cognitive impairment

Abstract

Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the leading causes of disability after stroke; CI is observed in more than half of patients and reaches a pronounced degree (of dementia) in every three to five patients. CI in poststroke patients is often caused not only by focal vascular lesions of the brain, but also by the presence of concomitant vascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The treatment and prevention of progressive CI are based on stroke prevention, non-drug and drug methods to improve cognitive functions. Blood pressure normalization during antihypertensive therapy is most effective in preventing the progression of CI in stroke patients. The use of Actovegin in patients with CI after stroke is discussed. The results of the author's own 5-year follow-up of 350 patients with stroke are presented.