Characteristics of Non-linguistic Cognitive Impairment in Post-stroke Aphasia Patients

Abstract

Background: Non-linguistic cognitive training has been suggested to improve the communication skills of patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA). However, the association between language and non-linguistic cognitive functions is not fully understood. In this study, we used the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) to evaluate the characteristics of non-linguistic cognitive impairments in Chinese PSA patients. Methods: A total of 86 stroke patients were recruited in this study. Language and non-linguistic cognitive impairments were evaluated by the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and LOTCA, respectively. The patients were divided into two groups (PSA and non-PSA), and the Chinese norm (the data came from 44 Chinese individuals without neurological disorders in a previous study) was used as the control group. The LOTCA scores were compared among the three groups. Patients in the PSA group were subdivided into the fluent aphasia group (FAG) and the non-FAG according to the Chinese aphasia fluency characteristic scale. The LOTCA scores were also compared between the PSA subdivisions. Potential confounders were adjusted in the analysis of covariance. Partial correlation analysis between the subscores of WAB and LOTCA was also performed. Results: The total LOTCA scores in the PSA group (75.11 ± 17.08) were significantly lower compared with scores in the non-PSA (96.80 ± 7.75, P < 0.001) and the control group (97.65 ± 16.24, P < 0.001). The PSA group also had lower orientation, visual perception (VP), spatial perception (SP), visuomotor organization, thinking operation, and attention scores.

A voice without a mouth no more: The neurobiology of language and consciousness

“…Finally, if disorders of language are associated with a diminishment of consciousness, they should also be correlated with 'nonverbal' abilities to the extent these are consciously mediated. Though controversial, such a relationship has been observed in aphasia for cognitive (Fonseca et al, 2019;Gonzalez et al, 2020;Schumacher et al, 2019;Wall et al, 2017;Yao et al, 2020)(though see) (Fedorenko and Varley, 2016;Varley, 2014;Woolgar et al, 2018) and meta-cognitive performance (Baldo et al, 2005;Hermer-Vazquez et al, 1999;Langland-Hassan et al, 2017). For example, people with aphasia are impaired in skills like drawing, block arrangement, and visual pattern completion (Gonzalez et al, 2020).…”

Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation as an Adjunct to Verb Network Strengthening Treatment in Post-stroke Chronic Aphasia: A Double-Blinded Randomized Feasibility Study

“…As language function is closely related to other cognitive functions and post-stroke aphasia is usually accompanied by non-linguistic cognitive difficulties such as reduced attention and memory ( 64 , 65 ) changes in cognitive skills were also examined. Participants completed The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) at baseline and post-treatment.…”

Poststroke Cognitive Impairment Research Progress on Application of Brain-Computer Interface

“…Attention is controlled by a network of interconnected cortical regions, including the frontal visual field, the parietal area, some subcortical structures, the superior colliculus, and oculomotor muscles [111]. The frontal cortex region, which plays a key role in attentional control, can be detected by EEG or LFPs as an attention marker due to synchronous neuronal activity [112]. Using EEG-NF-BCI, which measures neural signals and is used to enhance attention and cognitive performance, patients can observe a graphical representation of their brain activity, which is also self-regulated by computer processing into an optimal state.…”