Cognitive impairment after stroke in young adults

A stroke at a young age can have serious and lasting consequences. Around 10–20% of all strokes occur in young adults between 18 and 50 years old. Many young survivors experience cognitive problems, such as problems with memory, language, or processing speed. This thesis demonstrates that these issues are common, even among individuals who recover well physically. Our findings show that cognitive function after stroke usually not improves over time. Most young adults remain stable after the first few months. 

We also found that stroke lesions affecting multiple brain regions, including the cerebellum, are associated with cognitive impairment. This may explain why patients with lesions in different locations can all experience cognitive problems.  In addition, we found that lower white matter integrity outside the stroke lesion, particularly in the affected hemisphere, may contribute to cognitive impairment. Importantly, major cognitive problems are associated with unemployment. Early recognition and support of young adults with cognitive impairment after stroke can lead to more personalized care for young stroke survivors.