Abstract
Background. The syndrome of autonomic dysfunction is currently considered as a comorbid pathology of chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI), accompanying it as it develops. Changes occurring in the autonomic nervous system precede the subsequent neurological disorders and serve as a manifestation of maladaptive reactions.
Purpose. To conduct a neuropsychological study to identify cognitive impairment in patients with autonomic dysfunction at various stages of chronic cerebral ischemia.
Methods. A study was conducted on 99 patients with autonomic dysfunction in CCI. There were examined cognitive violations at help special neuropsychological scales – MMSE, MoCA, HADS. The assessment of the vegetative status was performed using the Wayne questionnaire.
Results. The results of our study revealed the absence of a direct proportional relationship between the patient's age and the stage of CCI, but there was a clear tendency towards an increase in the manifestations of CCI as the age of the patients increased. When studying the cognitive sphere with the MMSE scale, a direct correlation was noted between the worsening of cognitive impairment and the increase in the stage of chronic cerebral ischemia. The MoCA test showed memory impairment, difficulties in performing speed and attention tasks, as well as delayed recall in patients with stages II and III of chronic cerebral ischemia. Assessment of anxiety and depression using the HADS scale revealed an increase in anxiety-depressive manifestations with an increase in the severity of chronic cerebral ischemia (stage I – 8,0±1,5 points; stage II – 12,3±1,5 points and stage III – 14,2±1,7 points).
Conclusion. In patients with autonomic dysfunction in chronic cerebral ischemia, cognitive impairment was observed. For definitions expressions cognitive dysfunctions follows apply special evaluation scales. Our studies revealed direct correlation changes in the severity of cognitive impairment with an increase in the stage of CCI.