Memory and Emotion in Acute and Chronic Phases of Cerebrovascular Accident

Memory and Emotion in Acute and Chronic Phases of Cerebrovascular Accident

The purpose is to determine the relationship between anxiety and cognitive performances in patients with acute and chronic phases of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Data from neuropsychological assessment concerning cognitive processes (working and episodic memory) sensitive to different dimensions of anxiety will be analyzed.

The secondary purpose is to evaluate how some neurological (hemispherical lateralization of lesions), psychological (depression) and demographic (quality of life) variables can increase the effects of different dimensions of anxiety on cognitive processes, during the acute and/or chronic phase of CVA.

Data will be collected during usual neuropsychological evaluation and cerebral imagery examination (NIHSS, Rankin scale) of patients in acute (0-1 month) and chronic (6 months) phases of CVA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute phase of carotid, vertebrobasilar or lacunar cerebrovascular accident with ischemic or hemorrhagic origin
• Right-handed
• Possible cooperation: understanding of French instructions
• Normal or corrected vision
• Normal or corrected hearing
• Mini-mental state examination score higher than pathologic threshold according to age and sociocultural level of patient
• Possible follow up of patient

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hearing problems
• Vision problems
• Right hemiplegia or acute monoparesis of right upper limb
• Hemispatial neglect
• Apraxia
• Psychiatric or neurological history possibly interfering with neuropsychological evaluation
• Important defect of working memory or executive functions