The Effects of Carotid Arteriosclerosis on Cognitive Functions and Recent Prognosis in Patients with Cerebral Infarction / 中国临床心理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of carotid arteriosclerosis on cognitive functions and current prognosis in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods: Extracranial carotid arteries were assessed using dopple ultrasongraphy in 112 patients with cerebral infarction. Cognitive functions were evaluated with the Mini-Mental state Examination (MMSE) and five neuropsychological tests assessing memory, attention, calculation psychomotor rapidity and visuospatial perception. Deficits in neurological functions were assessed on admission and 3 to 4 weeks. Results:All neuropsychological measures were found to be poorer in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis than those with no carotid arteriosclerosis, especially in cases with severe carotid arteriosclerosis and severe carotid stenosis. There was a positive relationship between severity of carotid arteriosclerosis and change in cognitive functions. The scores of SSS were higher on admission in cerebral infarction patients with carotid arteriosclerosis. Recent prognosis was also poorer in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis.Conclusions: Significant effect of carotid arteriosclerosis was shown on cognitive functions of patients with cerebral infarction. As cerebral ischemic injury is severe, prognosis in cerebral infarction patients with carotid arteriosclerosis is poor.