Cognitive Deficits After Stroke

Cognition is a central feature of human existence and brain function. Cognitive deficits are common after stroke and may strongly impact functional outcome. Recent years have seen substantial advances in our understanding of cognitive functions in the healthy state, and this new body of knowledge promises to open new avenues for understanding and treating poststroke impairments, including cognitive deficits. The 5 reviews in this Focused Update from an international cast of experts provide excellent updates on cognitive syndromes that commonly contribute to poststroke disability: neglect, aphasia, apraxia, loss of executive function, and memory disorders. Cognitive impairment remains a major source of morbidity after stroke; these reviews approach this problem by considering clinical presentations, pathophysiology, measurement tools, and treatment approaches. In doing so, they highlight a number of key questions and critical gaps. A number of issues emerge as common across cognitive domains poststroke and are summarized herein. There is a need for improved methods to measure cognitive impairments, as well as for improved insights into pathophysiology of symptom onset and mechanisms of recovery after stroke, including validated biomarkers. These 5 state of the art summaries are sure to prove useful toward these goals.

Automated summary

Cognition is a fundamental aspect of human existence and brain function. Stroke often leads to cognitive deficits, which can significantly impact poststroke functional recovery. Recent advancements in understanding cognitive functions in healthy individuals hold promise for improving our understanding and treatment of poststroke cognitive impairments. This article provides five reviews on commonly observed cognitive syndromes after stroke, including neglect, aphasia, apraxia, loss of executive function, and memory disorders. These reviews discuss key questions and gaps in knowledge, emphasizing the need for improved measurement tools, insights into the pathophysiology of symptom onset and recovery mechanisms, and validated biomarkers. Overall, these state-of-the-art summaries facilitate progress towards better understanding and management of poststroke cognitive impairments.