ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of different degrees of ischemic white matter lesions on the cognitive function in patients with lacunar infarction. Method: One hundred twelve consecutive patients with lacunar infarction were collected. Age-related white matter changes rating scale (ARWMCRs) was used, and according to the results of ARWMCRs scores, the patients were divided into mild (n = 34, 0-3 scores), moderate (n = 43, 4-7 scores), and severe (n = 35, 8-24 scores) groups. The national health institutes of stroke scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were used to assess the degree of neurological deficit. The mini-mental status scale (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used for neuropsychological tests, and event-related potential two-tone sequence auditory P300 (2t-P300) wave was used for neural electrophysiological examination. The cognitive function was evaluated. The cognitive function among all groups was compared. Results: Circled digit oneThere were significant differences in comparison of the MoCA scores among the three groups. Only the mRS score and the MMSE score in the severe group were lower than those in the mild and moderate groups. There were significant differences (P < 0.05). Circled digit twoThe latency of P300 wave in the severe group was higher than that in the moderate and mild groups, and the latency of P300 wave in the moderate group was higher than that in the mild group. There was significant difference (P <0.05). The amplitude of P300 wave in the severe group was lower than that in the moderate group and mild group. There were significant differences (P < 0.05). Circled digit threeThe ARWMCRs score in patients with white matter lesions was negatively correlated with the MMSE score, MoCA score, and amplitude of P300 wave. It was positively correlated with the latency of P300 wave and mRS score. Conclusion: White matter lesions impact the cognitive function in patients with lacunar infarction. The more severe the white matter lesions, the more significant decline in cognitive function.