Cognitive Recovery After Post Stroke Delirium (RECOVER)

Cognitive Recovery After Post Stroke Delirium [RECOVER] a Longitudinal Pilot Proof of Concept Study in Stroke Patients With/without Delirium

RECOVER is a Proof-of-Concept study on cognitive functioning following a longitudinal design with three measurements (during the acute- and post-acute phases of a stroke and a 3-month follow-up) and two equally-sized stroke patient groups: a post-stroke delirium(PSD), and a non-PSD group (control group). Cognitive functioning will be assessed using a multi-component neuropsychological assessment and tasked-based functional MRI (introducing a modified working memory task).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 60 years
• Ischemic stroke: Stroke Onset ≤ 96h, hospital admission ≤ 48h
• NIHSS ≥ 1
• Informed consent by patient or legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aphasia
• Pre-existing conditions such as Dementia, psychiatric disorders (e.g., Depression, Schizophrenia)
• MRI contraindication such as certain metal implants
• Reduced consciousness, defined as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤ 8
• Delirium onset before study enrollment