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Thalamic Stroke: Precursors and Outcomes for Ten Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2014

Johanna Freeland ,
Christopher Levi  and
Mick Hunter
Johanna Freeland
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Christopher Levi
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
Mick Hunter*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Conjoint Associate Professor Mick Hunter, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine susceptibility factors in thalamic stroke, as well as outcomes in order to identify rehabilitation needs.

Methods: Ten patients with thalamic stroke were interviewed and administered the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were examined to determine location and size of the lesion, as well as basilar artery size and anatomical variances in the circle of Willis.

Results: Risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and pre-existing heart conditions were identified. Circle of Willis variations were found in 6 of the 10 participants, with MR angiography indicating that the posterior communication artery was absent or failed to join the posterior cerebral artery. Basilar artery diameter measurements were no larger than normal. All participants reported post-stroke changes, including decreased coordination and mobility, poor balance, reduced energy, memory deficits and mood changes. Participants’ overall scores on cognitive tests were significantly lower than age-matched norms. Performance on the test domains of memory, fluency, language and attention were all significantly below age norms.

Conclusions: The variability of outcome measures demonstrates the difficulty of defining patterns of relationship between risk factors and severity of functional sequelae in thalamic stroke.

Keywords

thalamusstrokecognitive changerisk factors
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , May 2014 , pp. 51 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2014 

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