Poststroke Depression

Neuropsychological symptoms are probably among the most commonly ignored complications in stroke patients. Depression is a common yet often unrecognized neuropsychological consequence of stroke, having biological, psycho-behavioral, and social dimensions. The reported prevalence of depression following a stroke varies from 20% to 50% within the first year, with an apparent peak within the first 6 months of onset event. The disparity of reported prevalence rates significantly depends on study methodology, diagnostic assessment tools, and time elapsed after stroke onset. The etiology of depression after a stroke is complex; it is likely determined by multiple factors, including lesion location, social handicap, and family support. Depression impedes rehabilitation progress following stroke and is associated with impaired functional outcome, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. Similarly, depression has been linked to increased risk of stroke occurrence. Despite high prevalence and serious sequels, poststroke depression (PSD) remains undetected and untreated. Early diagnosis and successful intervention may improve clinical outcome and should be considered a key for better stroke care. In this article, we review the clinical presentation, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and consequences of PSD and summarize current recommendations for therapeutic intervention.