A comparison study on cognitive function in patients with single subcortical lesion stroke of four different areas

OBJECTIVE: Comparing the characteristics of cognitive impairment of patients with single subcortical lesion stroke of four different areas, we are to explore the cognitive function of the thalamus and basal ganglia and this is help for early identification of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). METHODS: 63 patients with single subcortical lesion stroke (including 14 left thalamic stoke group, 17 left basal ganglia stroke group, 15 right thalamic stroke group, 17 right basal ganglia stroke group) and 34 healthy subjects participated in the current study, whose age, sex and education were matched. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used for evaluation. RESULTS: Compared to the normal control group, there was an overall decline of cognitive functions in patients with single subcortical lesion stroke in memory, attention/executive function, language, and visuospatial ability (P < 0.05). The scores of the left thalamic stroke group were worse than the other three stroke groups in language (BNT16.6 ± 2.6), auditory verbal learning test-immediate recall (12.8 ± 4.4), auditory verbal learning test-delayed recall (2.4 ± 2.3), listening recognition (19.1 ± 3.1), structure delayed recall (9.1 ± 4.7) and symbol digit modalities test-recall (0.9 ± 1.1) (P < 0.05). However, the left basal ganglia stroke group did better in tests manipulated by the right hand [including Trial making test (part A) score (75 ± 22), Trail making test (part B) score (204 ± 81), Clock drawing test (23.5 ± 4.6), Symbol digit modalities test (24 ± 9)] than other three stroke group, as good as the normal group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Single subcortical stroke patients may have general, non-selective cognitive impairment. But, different stroke areas have their own characteristics. The scores of the left thalamic stroke group were worse than the other three stroke groups.