Working Memory Impairment in Transient Ischaemic Attack: N-back as a Sensitive Measure for Detection

Laura J. Smith; Polly Gregory; Philip Clatworthy; Lucy Gallop; George Stothart

doi:10.1017/BrImp.2021.25

Working Memory Impairment in Transient Ischaemic Attack: N-back as a Sensitive Measure for Detection

Laura J. Smith, Polly Gregory, Philip Clatworthy, Lucy Gallop, George Stothart

North Bristol NHS Trust

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Abstract

Background: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) can lead to lasting changes in brain structure and function resulting in cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening tools may lack sensitivity for detecting cognitive impairments, particularly executive function, which tends to be the earliest affected domain in vascular cognitive impairment. Aim: In this preliminary study, we examine a working memory (WMem) task as a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment in TIA. Method: Patients referred to a TIA clinic for transient neurological symptoms completed a general cognitive screening tool (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA), and a WMem task (2-N-back) in a cross-sectional design. Results: TIA patients (n = 12) showed significantly reduced WMem performance on the N-back compared to patients diagnosed with mimic clinical conditions with overlapping symptoms (n = 16). No group differences were observed on the MoCA. Conclusions: Assessing WMem may provide a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment after TIA, with implications for cognitive screening in TIA services to triage patients for further neuropsychological support, or for interventions to prevent vascular dementia.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	124-131
Number of pages	8
Journal	Brain Impairment
Volume	24
Issue number	1
Early online date	15 Dec 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/BrImp.2021.25
Publication status	Published - 15 Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sector. PC is funded by a Stroke Association (UK) Thompson Family Senior Clinical Lectureship.

Keywords

N-back
sensitivity (d′)
transient ischaemic attack
Working memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Neurology
Clinical Neurology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience
Speech and Hearing

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abstract = "Background: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) can lead to lasting changes in brain structure and function resulting in cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening tools may lack sensitivity for detecting cognitive impairments, particularly executive function, which tends to be the earliest affected domain in vascular cognitive impairment. Aim: In this preliminary study, we examine a working memory (WMem) task as a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment in TIA. Method: Patients referred to a TIA clinic for transient neurological symptoms completed a general cognitive screening tool (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA), and a WMem task (2-N-back) in a cross-sectional design. Results: TIA patients (n = 12) showed significantly reduced WMem performance on the N-back compared to patients diagnosed with mimic clinical conditions with overlapping symptoms (n = 16). No group differences were observed on the MoCA. Conclusions: Assessing WMem may provide a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment after TIA, with implications for cognitive screening in TIA services to triage patients for further neuropsychological support, or for interventions to prevent vascular dementia.",

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Working Memory Impairment in Transient Ischaemic Attack: N-back as a Sensitive Measure for Detection

Abstract

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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