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01-03-2022 | Stroke | Brief Communication

Predictivity of the clock drawing test in the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases on cognitive decline at a 6-month neuropsychological evaluation

Authors: Francesco Mele, Ilaria Cova, Federico Benzi, Federica Zerini, Valentina Cucumo, Michela Brambilla, Pierluigi Bertora, Emilia Salvadori, Simone Pomati, Leonardo Pantoni

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Introduction

We showed that the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) performed during the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases predicted worsening of cognitive function defined based on a clinical judgement at a 3-month follow-up. The aim of this study was to verify the predictivity of the CDT on the worsening of cognitive status assessed with an extensive neuropsychological evaluation 6 months after the acute event.

Methods

Patients with a stroke or transient ischemic attack underwent a baseline clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological assessment, including the CDT. Premorbid cognitive status was evaluated by means of the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Between 6 and 7 months after the acute event, all patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation that included tests for executive function, attention, language, memory, and visuospatial abilities.

Results

Fifty patients (29 males; mean age 72.2 years) were enrolled: 28 (56%) had no premorbid cognitive impairment, 15 (30%) had premorbid mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 4 (8%) had premorbid dementia; for 3 patients, evaluation of premorbid status was not available. At follow-up, 11 (22%) had no cognitive impairment, 28 (56%) were diagnosed with MCI, and 11 (22%) dementia. In patients who were non-demented before the event, on regression analysis, the score obtained at CDT was predictive of decline of cognitive status at the 6-month follow-up (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.08–2.52).

Discussion

Our study confirms that administering the CDT during the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases is informative with regard to the worsening of cognitive function after 6 months.

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Title: Predictivity of the clock drawing test in the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases on cognitive decline at a 6-month neuropsychological evaluation
Authors: Francesco Mele
Ilaria Cova
Federico Benzi
Federica Zerini
Valentina Cucumo
Michela Brambilla
Pierluigi Bertora
Emilia Salvadori
Simone Pomati
Leonardo Pantoni
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Stroke
Dementia
Dementia
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05809-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Predictivity of the clock drawing test in the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases on cognitive decline at a 6-month neuropsychological evaluation

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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