Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School
of Medicine, Nanjing University; Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
Note: [] Corresponding author: Huilin Cheng, Vice-professor, Department
of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University; 305
East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China. Tel.: +86 25
86069047; Fax: +86 25 84817581; E-mail: cheng_huilin@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract: A subgroup of patients who survive aneurysmal subarachnoid
hemorrhage (SAH) may have significant cognitive deficits. The aim of the
current study was to determine the efficiency of cognitive tests and frequency
of cognitive impairments associated with aneurysmal SAH in Chinese. A series of
116 patients with aneurysmal SAH were assessed before surgery. Only 37 patients
have completed all tests. The other 79 patients had discontinued because of
their clinical conditions, recurring severe headaches, refusing or
misunderstanding due to low education. We found that one or more cognitive
functions were impaired in 70.3% of the 37 patients, SAH patients were
especially impaired in functions that are related to visual reproduction,
verbal fluency, and executive functions. The results suggest that the patients
have impressive cognitive deficits after aneurysmal SAH. A battery of
appropriate cognitive tests should be developed for use by doctors and
nurses.
