Multiple subcortical lacunar infarcts were associated with significant deficits in executive function and frontal system dysfunction, even though only 27% met the criteria for clinical dementia.
Case-Control (n=22)
To characterize cognitive impairments following multiple subcortical lacunar infarcts (lacunes), we prospectively compared the neuropsychological performance of 11 subjects with multiple lacunes with 11 medical control subjects matched for age and education who had no clinical or computed tomographic evidence of central nervous system disease. Subjects with multiple subcortical lacunes displayed neuropsychological signs of frontal system dysfunction, even though only 27% met the criteria for clinical diagnosis of dementia. They exhibited significant deficits in shifting mental set, response inhibition, and executive function. In addition, they were more often rated apathetic on a behavior-rating scale. We propose a continuum of cognitive impairments in lacunar states, ranging from frontal systems impairment to dementia.
Wolfe et al. (Thu,) conducted a case-control in Multiple subcortical lacunar infarcts (n=22). Multiple subcortical lacunar infarcts vs. Medical control subjects with no central nervous system disease was evaluated on Neuropsychological performance (frontal system dysfunction, shifting mental set, response inhibition, executive function). Multiple subcortical lacunar infarcts were associated with significant deficits in executive function and frontal system dysfunction, even though only 27% met the criteria for clinical dementia.