Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients
Daniele Lo Coco,1 Gianluca Lopez,1 Salvatore Corrao,2,31Neurology and Stroke Unit, 2Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, Palermo, 3Centre of Research for Effectiveness and Appropriateness in Medicine (C.R.E...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2016-03-01
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| Series: | Vascular Health and Risk Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/cognitive-impairment-and-stroke-in-elderly-patients-peer-reviewed-article-VHRM |
| _version_ | 1811309955879272448 |
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| author | Lo Coco D Lopez G Corrao S |
| author_facet | Lo Coco D Lopez G Corrao S |
| author_sort | Lo Coco D |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Daniele Lo Coco,1 Gianluca Lopez,1 Salvatore Corrao,2,31Neurology and Stroke Unit, 2Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, Palermo, 3Centre of Research for Effectiveness and Appropriateness in Medicine (C.R.E.A.M.), Di.Bi.M.I.S., University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy Abstract: We reviewed current knowledge about the interaction between stroke and vascular risk factors and the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. Stroke is increasingly recognized as an important cause of cognitive problems and has been implicated in the development of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The prevalence of cognitive impairment after stroke is high, and their combined effects significantly increase the cost of care and health resource utilization, with reflections on hospital readmissions and increased mortality rates. There is also substantial evidence that vascular risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and tobacco smoking) are independently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Thus, a successful management of these factors, as well as optimal acute stroke management, might have a great impact on the development of cognitive impairment. Notwithstanding, the pathological link between cognitive impairment, stroke, and vascular risk factors is complex and still partially unclear so that further studies are needed to better elucidate the boundaries of this relationship. Many specific pharmacological treatments, including anticholinergic drugs and antihypertensive medications, and nonpharmacological approaches, such as diet, cognitive rehabilitation, and physical activity, have been studied for patients with vascular cognitive impairment, but the optimal care is still far away. Meanwhile, according to the most recent knowledge, optimal stroke care should also include cognitive assessment in the short and long term, and great efforts should be oriented toward a multidisciplinary approach, including quality-of-life assessment and support of caregivers. Keywords: cerebrovascular disease, dementia, vascular risk factors, cognitive function, aging |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:51:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf73496d581b42908e3d7931cce5e5b5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-2048 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:51:21Z |
| publishDate | 2016-03-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vascular Health and Risk Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf73496d581b42908e3d7931cce5e5b52022-12-22T02:51:36ZengDove Medical PressVascular Health and Risk Management1178-20482016-03-012016Issue 110511626140Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patientsLo Coco DLopez GCorrao SDaniele Lo Coco,1 Gianluca Lopez,1 Salvatore Corrao,2,31Neurology and Stroke Unit, 2Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, Palermo, 3Centre of Research for Effectiveness and Appropriateness in Medicine (C.R.E.A.M.), Di.Bi.M.I.S., University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy Abstract: We reviewed current knowledge about the interaction between stroke and vascular risk factors and the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. Stroke is increasingly recognized as an important cause of cognitive problems and has been implicated in the development of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The prevalence of cognitive impairment after stroke is high, and their combined effects significantly increase the cost of care and health resource utilization, with reflections on hospital readmissions and increased mortality rates. There is also substantial evidence that vascular risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and tobacco smoking) are independently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Thus, a successful management of these factors, as well as optimal acute stroke management, might have a great impact on the development of cognitive impairment. Notwithstanding, the pathological link between cognitive impairment, stroke, and vascular risk factors is complex and still partially unclear so that further studies are needed to better elucidate the boundaries of this relationship. Many specific pharmacological treatments, including anticholinergic drugs and antihypertensive medications, and nonpharmacological approaches, such as diet, cognitive rehabilitation, and physical activity, have been studied for patients with vascular cognitive impairment, but the optimal care is still far away. Meanwhile, according to the most recent knowledge, optimal stroke care should also include cognitive assessment in the short and long term, and great efforts should be oriented toward a multidisciplinary approach, including quality-of-life assessment and support of caregivers. Keywords: cerebrovascular disease, dementia, vascular risk factors, cognitive function, aginghttps://www.dovepress.com/cognitive-impairment-and-stroke-in-elderly-patients-peer-reviewed-article-VHRMstrokedementiavascular risk factorscognitive impairmentelderly |
| spellingShingle | Lo Coco D Lopez G Corrao S Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients Vascular Health and Risk Management stroke dementia vascular risk factors cognitive impairment elderly |
| title | Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| title_full | Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| title_fullStr | Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| title_short | Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| title_sort | cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients |
| topic | stroke dementia vascular risk factors cognitive impairment elderly |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/cognitive-impairment-and-stroke-in-elderly-patients-peer-reviewed-article-VHRM |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lococod cognitiveimpairmentandstrokeinelderlypatients AT lopezg cognitiveimpairmentandstrokeinelderlypatients AT corraos cognitiveimpairmentandstrokeinelderlypatients |