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Executive Impairment Is Associated with Impaired Memory Performance in Working-Aged Stroke Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2016

Katri E.A. Turunen ,
Siiri P.K. Laari ,
Tatu V. Kauranen ,
Satu Mustanoja ,
Turgut Tatlisumak  and
Erja Poutiainen
Katri E.A. Turunen*
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
Siiri P.K. Laari
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
Tatu V. Kauranen
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Lapland Central Hospital, Lapland Hospital District, Finland
Satu Mustanoja
Affiliation:
Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
Turgut Tatlisumak
Affiliation:
Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden and Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
Erja Poutiainen
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland Rehabilitation Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to:Katri Turunen, Psychology, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, P.O. Box 9, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives: Executive dysfunction is associated with impaired memory performance, but controversies remain about which aspects of memory are involved and how general intelligence influences these connections. We aimed to clarify these connections in stroke patients by comparing various memory measures in patients with and without executive impairment. Methods: Our consecutive cohort included patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke. Neuropsychological assessments were completed 6 months and 2 years after stroke. We classified patients as executively impaired, when at least two of five executive measures were defective at 6 months. At both 6 months and 2 years, we compared list learning of unrelated words, story recall, and recall of geometric figures in patients with and without executive impairment, while controlling for general intelligence. Results: Patients with executive impairment (n=66; 37%) performed worse in list learning (p=.001; partial η2=.058) and immediate recall of a logical passage (p=.010; partial η2=.037) 6 months after stroke compared to executively intact patients (n=113). At the end of the 2-year follow-up period, the patients who were executively impaired at 6 months (n=53; 37%) still performed worse than executively intact patients (n=92) in list learning (p<.001; partial η2=.096), and additionally in delayed recall of the list (p=.006; partial η2=.052) and immediate recall of geometric figures (p=.007; partial η2=.050). Conclusions: In our working-aged stroke patients, executive impairment was common. Executive impairment was associated with memory tasks that provided less inherent structure and required the use of active memory strategies. Clinicians should remember this role of executive dysfunction when interpreting memory performance. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1–10)

Keywords

NeuropsychologyExecutive functionLearningIntelligenceCognitionCohort studies
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , May 2016 , pp. 551 - 560
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2016 

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