INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT IN THE FIRST YEAR FOLLOWING STROKE, COMPARED TO AN AGE-MATCHED POPULATION-SAMPLE

General intellectual impairment during the first year following stroke in 188 unselected, previously not demented patients aged 60-80 years was assessed with a comprehensive screening test, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and compared to an age-matched population sample. Signif icant impairment occurred in 32, 26 and 26% of the stroke patients at 1, 6 and 12 months, which correlated to subjective complaints and a de pendent life after discharge. Most patients scored stable or improved (84%), while 16% deteriorated significantly. Intellectual impairment c orrelated to CT lesion size and central atrophy, age and pre-stroke lo wer functional and social activity, as well as to stroke-induced handi cap including aphasia, neglect, and increased mood symptoms. Thus, str oke-induced brain damage influences general intellectual function but may not be the sole reason for intellectual impairment.