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Transcranial doppler ultrasound can help evaluate cerebral vasoreactivity in people with minor stroke and transient ischemic attack.
Post-stroke cognitive impairment remains a major concern, impacting both short- and long-term recovery, even after physical rehabilitation. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. Hence, a recent study by Carlo Lugnan et al. investigated the role of transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD) in assessing cerebrovascular function and predicting dementia risk by analyzing pulsatility index, resistance index, breath-holding index (BHI), and functional TCD.
The study included 43 participants—13 with minor stroke, 16 with transient ischemic attack (TIA), and 14 healthy controls. TCD parameters were measured in the middle cerebral artery within 6 days of stroke (acute phase) and again after approximately 180 days (control phase). During TCD recordings, participants completed sections of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) tests.
Key findings:
1. Acute phase:
2. Control phase:
The study highlighted altered cerebrovascular reactivity in minor stroke and TIA patients, particularly in the acute phase, where they failed to show the normal rise in MFV during cognitive tasks. While some cerebrovascular parameters normalized over time, the lack of MFV increase in minor stroke patients suggested persistent functional impairment, potentially linked to long-term cognitive decline. These findings highlight TCD’s potential in monitoring cerebrovascular function and post-stroke cognitive deficits risk.
Journal of Ultrasound
Changes in cerebrovascular reactivity as a marker of cognitive impairment risk: a transcranial Doppler study
Carlo Lugnan et al.
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