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Changes in cognitive function during the 1-year period following endarterectomy and stenting of patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis

  • Clinical Article
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Abstract

Background

In patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, cognitive decline and changes in cognitive function before to after treatment have been noted, though the true effects of treatment in such patients remain unclear. A convenient and repeatable neuropsychological test battery is needed for such patients.

Methods

In 26 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis treated by carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and stenting (CAS), cognitive function was examined before and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. RBANS and MMSE were selected as a test battery, and changes in test scores and long-term results of revascularization were evaluated.

Results

RBANS was useful and suitable for neuropsychological testing in such patients, and yielded the following results: (1) Patients before treatment had, on average, RBANS scores rated low average, with mild but relatively diffuse cognitive impairment; (2) RBANS scores were increased significantly at 3 months after CEA and CAS, and cognitive improvement was maintained over 1 year; and (3) scores were decreased temporarily at 1 week after CEA, but not after CAS.

Conclusions

Patients with severe carotid artery stenosis exhibited mild decline in cognitive function, which was improved after CEA and CAS. RBANS is a suitable test battery for this type of patient.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Associate Professor Mie Matsui for provision of the RBANS Japanese version used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosugery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan

    Akiko Takaiwa, Nakamasa Hayashi, Naoya Kuwayama, Naoki Akioka, Michiya Kubo & Shunro Endo

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  1. Akiko Takaiwa
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  2. Nakamasa Hayashi
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  3. Naoya Kuwayama
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  4. Naoki Akioka
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  5. Michiya Kubo
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  6. Shunro Endo
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Correspondence to Nakamasa Hayashi.

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Takaiwa, A., Hayashi, N., Kuwayama, N. et al. Changes in cognitive function during the 1-year period following endarterectomy and stenting of patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis. Acta Neurochir 151, 1593–1600 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0420-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0420-4

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