Evaluatıon of cognıtıve functıons by neuropsychologıcal tests and event related endogen potentıals ın patıents wıth stroke

The aim of this study was to assess the cognitive function and emotional status, depressive symptoms of the post-stroke patients and to compare patients with age-, sex- and education-matched healthy controls and controls with systemic diseases. We also investigated the effect of rehabilitation interventions on cognitive functions by means of neurocognitive tests and P300 ERPs..A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and ERP records were applied to 20 patients with a first unilateral stroke, (age 40-69), and to two control groups comprising 21 healthy volunteers and 21 person with a risk factor who were compatible with patients in terms of age, sex and educational level. HADS was used to discard major depression and MMSE to discard dementia. Stroke group received physiotherapy and traditional rehabilitation therapy for 1-2 hours, five days a week for three weeks. FIM and Brunnstrom instruments were used to assess functional status. All of participants were reassessed for above mentioned parameters at the end of third week.Performance in neuropsychological tests and in ERP paradigms (Cz, Fz and Pz latencies) were lower in stroke group, in comparison to both of the control groups (p<0,001) at entry and the end of third week. All of neuropsychological tests, P300 latencies, Brunnstrom grades and FIM scores were significantly improved in stroke group. Although some of neuropsychological tests were significantly improved, P300 paradigms were not significantly improved in control groups. Percent changes in some of neuropsychological tests, P300 Cz and Pz latencies were significantly different between stroke patients and controls (p<0,016) after three weeks course of follow up.Rehabilitation interventions had a positive effect on cognition which could be documented using detailed neuropsychiatric tests.Key Words: Stroke, ERP, neuropsychological test, cognitive functions, p300