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In a groundbreaking study from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales Sydney, researchers have uncovered a strong link between stroke and both immediate and long-term cognitive decline. Published on Thursday, the study highlights the significant impact of stroke on cognitive abilities, particularly in older adults.
The research team found that first-time stroke sufferers experience a substantial and sudden drop in cognitive function, followed by an accelerated decline over time. Stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, results in brain cell damage that can have lasting effects on cognition.
According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people globally suffer from strokes each year, with 10 million either dying or being left permanently disabled.
The CHeBA study analyzed data from 14 studies spanning 11 countries, tracking the health and cognitive abilities of 20,860 adults, with an average age of 73. None of the participants had a prior history of dementia or stroke at the start of the study. Before any stroke occurred, these participants exhibited a moderate rate of cognitive decline, which researchers attributed to normal aging and various health conditions.
However, for those who experienced a stroke during the study period, the researchers observed a significant and immediate decline in all areas of cognitive performance, including memory, reasoning, and processing speed. This initial drop was followed by a faster-than-normal rate of cognitive deterioration in the long term.
“By analyzing their cognitive abilities over several assessment time points before and after stroke, we mapped out the course of changes in their thinking and memory. This allowed us to determine the specific impact of a stroke on cognitive abilities,” explained Jess Lo, a biostatistician at CHeBA and leader of the research.
Interestingly, individuals who had pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, hypertension, heart disease, or were smokers, as well as those carrying the APOE4 gene (a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease), exhibited faster cognitive decline even before experiencing a stroke. This suggests that vascular risk factors may have an earlier and more significant impact on cognitive function than previously understood.
Lo emphasized that early intervention targeting these risk factors could not only reduce the risk of stroke but also mitigate stroke-related cognitive decline. “Our findings support the hypothesis that vascular risk factors have their greatest impact on cognitive function years before the onset of stroke,” she said.
This research underscores the importance of preventive healthcare measures in managing vascular risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol to protect cognitive health in aging populations. With stroke affecting millions globally, these insights could have far-reaching implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing both stroke incidence and the cognitive decline that often follows.
