Takeaway
Cognitive impairment in acute stroke patients was strongly correlated with symptoms of depression. No link was found between cognitive impairment and symptoms of anxiety.
Why this matters
Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are common in post-stroke patients and are believed to hamper long-term recovery.
A commonly reported risk factor for post-stroke depression is cognitive impairment, but the research underpinning this claim is inconsistent and rarely examines cognitive impairment persisting upwards of 6 months. In addition, few studies examine depression and anxiety together, despite their common co-occurrence. There is a need for clearer answers about the link between post-stroke mood and cognitive impairment.