This 18-month study was conducted at the Army Hospital Research and Referral. Of the 224 ischemic stroke patients screened, 124 patients were followed for 3 months. Cognitive function was evaluated using MoCA at baseline and at 3 months. MoCA score below 25 were classified as cognitively impaired.

The study found that 49% of stroke survivors experienced PSCI within 3 months, with average MoCA score improving from 18.6 at baseline to 23.4 after 3 months. No significant association was found between the risk factors of stroke like Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, alcohol consumption and smoking with the development of PSCI at 3 months. Additionally, no significant differences were found between PSCI and non-impaired groups concerning age, gender, BMI, or family history of dementia. The study noted significant improvements in cognitive function, in patients who received early interventions such as thrombolysis.

The MoCA scores showed the most impairment in visuospatial/executive functions and least in naming and orientation. Orientation, attention, and delayed recall showed greatest improvement, while the abstraction domain improved the least. The study classified ischemic strokes based on etiology, with large artery atherosclerosis being the most common cause. The middle cerebral artery was the most affected region, and patients with multi-territorial strokes had the lowest MoCA scores but demonstrated the most improvement over time.

The study highlights the high incidence of PSCI in an Indian population, with nearly two-thirds at baseline and half of the patients experiencing cognitive impairment at 3 months, stressing the need for early identification, targeted intervention, and cognitive rehabilitation in comprehensive post-stroke care.