Impairment of social cognitive functions in the patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND. Cognitive impairment is common after a stroke. However, the condition of social cognitive functions, in particular theory of mind, in this group of patients has been studied insufficiently.

AIM. To study the frequency and predictors of the development of the social cognitive disorders based on theory of mind impairment in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. Theory of mind impairment was assessed using “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test in the acute period of ischemic stroke. National Institutes of Health Stroke scale was used to assess the severity of neurological deficit, modified Rankin scale — the degree of disability, Delirium Severity Rating Scale — the symptoms of delirium, Buss Perry aggressiveness scale — severity of aggressive behavior, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale — cognitive deficit. The severity of cortical atrophy was evaluated by computed tomography of the brain. The study included 86 patients, 53 males and 33 females. The average age of patients was 64 years. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21 software package. Nonparametric statistics methods were used. Binary data were compared using the chi-square parameter, categorical data were compared using the Mann–Whitney test.

RESULTS. Seventy percent of patients suffered from the impairment of social cognitive functions. Independent predictors of the impairment of theory of mind according to linear regression analysis were cognitive dysfunction according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (p=0.0001) and the severity of cortical atrophy on computed tomography of the brain (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION. Social cognitive impairment is registered in a substantial number of patients in acute period of stroke; its predictors include general cognitive impairment and cortical atrophy of the brain.