Biomaterial Database

Long-term cognitive and neurovascular changes after carotid endarterectomy. 2024

Kristiina Relander, and Marja Hietanen, and Petra Ijäs, and Krista Nuotio, and Pirkka Vikatmaa, and Suvi M Koskinen, and Marianne Ala-Kauhaluoma, and Teemu I Paajanen, and Jussi Virkkala, and Perttu J Lindsberg, and Lauri Soinne

Neuropsychology, HUS Neurocenter, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: kristiina.relander@hus.fi.

BACKGROUND Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been associated with both cognitive decline and improvement, but the underlying neurovascular mechanisms are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between neurovascular indices and cognitive changes after CEA. METHODS We studied 55 patients with severe (≥70%) symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis before and six months after CEA. A wide array of neuropsychological tests was arranged in eight cognitive domains and cognitive functions specific to hemisphere ipsilateral to operation. Differences in cognitive performance between patients and 38 matching healthy controls were studied with linear mixed models. Neurovascular functioning and microembolic signals were assessed with transcranial Doppler ultrasound of the middle cerebral artery. Associations between neurovascular indices and cognitive change were assessed with linear regression analyses. RESULTS On group level, the CEA patients improved more than controls in working memory, whereas no cognitive deterioration was detected. Also on individual level, improvement was most frequently observed in working memory. Worse preoperative cerebrovascular reactivity was related with improvement in cognitive functions of the ipsilateral hemisphere. Low preoperative pulsatility index was associated with improvement in executive functioning and ipsilateral cognitive functions. Poorer preoperative blood flow velocity associated with improvement in complex attention. Microembolic signals were rare. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that CEA may have beneficial long-term effects on cognition. These effects may specifically involve patients with impaired preoperative circulatory adaptive mechanisms.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002560	Cerebrovascular Circulation	The circulation of blood through the BLOOD VESSELS of the BRAIN.	Brain Blood Flow,Regional Cerebral Blood Flow,Cerebral Blood Flow,Cerebral Circulation,Cerebral Perfusion Pressure,Circulation, Cerebrovascular,Blood Flow, Brain,Blood Flow, Cerebral,Brain Blood Flows,Cerebral Blood Flows,Cerebral Circulations,Cerebral Perfusion Pressures,Circulation, Cerebral,Flow, Brain Blood,Flow, Cerebral Blood,Perfusion Pressure, Cerebral,Pressure, Cerebral Perfusion
D003071	Cognition	Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge.	Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016893	Carotid Stenosis	Narrowing or stricture of any part of the CAROTID ARTERIES, most often due to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Ulcerations may form in atherosclerotic plaques and induce THROMBUS formation. Platelet or cholesterol emboli may arise from stenotic carotid lesions and induce a TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK; CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT; or temporary blindness (AMAUROSIS FUGAX). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp 822-3)	Carotid Artery Narrowing,Carotid Ulcer,Carotid Artery Plaque,Carotid Artery Stenosis,Carotid Artery Ulcerating Plaque,Common Carotid Artery Stenosis,External Carotid Artery Stenosis,Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis,Plaque, Ulcerating, Carotid Artery,Stenosis, Common Carotid Artery,Stenosis, External Carotid Artery,Ulcerating Plaque, Carotid Artery,Artery Narrowing, Carotid,Artery Narrowings, Carotid,Artery Plaque, Carotid,Artery Plaques, Carotid,Artery Stenoses, Carotid,Artery Stenosis, Carotid,Carotid Artery Narrowings,Carotid Artery Plaques,Carotid Artery Stenoses,Carotid Stenoses,Carotid Ulcers,Narrowing, Carotid Artery,Narrowings, Carotid Artery,Plaque, Carotid Artery,Plaques, Carotid Artery,Stenoses, Carotid,Stenoses, Carotid Artery,Stenosis, Carotid,Stenosis, Carotid Artery,Ulcer, Carotid,Ulcers, Carotid
D016894	Endarterectomy, Carotid	The excision of the thickened, atheromatous tunica intima of a carotid artery.	Carotid Endarterectomy,Carotid Endarterectomies,Endarterectomies, Carotid
D056344	Executive Function	A set of cognitive functions that controls complex, goal-directed thought and behavior. Executive function involves multiple domains, such as CONCEPT FORMATION, goal management, cognitive flexibility, INHIBITION control, and WORKING MEMORY. Impaired executive function is seen in a range of disorders, e.g., SCHIZOPHRENIA; and ADHD.	Executive Control,Executive Controls,Executive Functions,Function, Executive,Functions, Executive
D020768	Middle Cerebral Artery	The largest of the cerebral arteries. It trifurcates into temporal, frontal, and parietal branches supplying blood to most of the parenchyma of these lobes in the CEREBRAL CORTEX. These are the areas involved in motor, sensory, and speech activities.	Cerebral Artery, Middle,Arteries, Middle Cerebral,Artery, Middle Cerebral,Cerebral Arteries, Middle,Middle Cerebral Arteries