Predictors of Vascular Cognitive Impairment Poststroke in a Middle Eastern (Bahrain) Cohort: A Proposed Case-Control Comparison

Claire Donnellan; Mona Al Banna; Noor Redha; Adel Al Jishi; Isa Al Sharoqi; Safa Taha; Moiz Bakhiet; Fatema Abdulla; Patrick Walsh

doi:10.2196/resprot.5903

Predictors of Vascular Cognitive Impairment Poststroke in a Middle Eastern (Bahrain) Cohort: A Proposed Case-Control Comparison

JMIR Res Protoc. 2016 Nov 28;5(4):e223. doi: 10.2196/resprot.5903.

Authors

Claire Donnellan¹, Mona Al Banna², Noor Redha², Adel Al Jishi², Isa Al Sharoqi², Safa Taha³, Moiz Bakhiet³, Fatema Abdulla², Patrick Walsh⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
² Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Salmaniya, Bahrain.
³ Department of Molecular Medicine, Princess Al Jawhara Center for Genetics and Inherited Diseases, Salmaniya, Bahrain.
⁴ School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.

Abstract

Background: Poststroke dementia and cognitive impairment are associated with poor long-term outcomes after stroke. The contribution of genetic factors such as the presence of apolipoprotein (ApoE) ɛ4 allele and its association with cognitive impairment poststroke remains inconclusive, particularly in Middle Eastern regions.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine all correlates and potential predictors of cognitive impairment including self-awareness and regulation deficits in stroke patients and compare these functions with healthy older adults from a Middle Eastern population.

Methods: A prospective stroke sample of 200 patients (case group) and 100 healthy aging individuals (control group) will be recruited from the largest medical complex in Bahrain. A neuropsychological battery of cognitive assessments (global, executive, and metacognition) will be conducted on all participants. Participants will be categorized into 4 subgroups (nonvascular cognitive impairment, vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia) using standardized cognitive assessment scores and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, dementia criteria. Biomarkers will include ApoE genotype, soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products, neprilysin, beta-secretase 1, biochemistry, and hematology measurements.

Results: The primary study outcome is to determine early risk factors for cognitive impairment after stroke in a Bahraini cohort. The study has received full ethical approval from the Bahrain Ministry of Health and from the affiliated university.

Conclusions: With increasing stroke incidence rates in the Middle East, this research study will provide useful biological and epidemiological data for future development and planning of health policies and guidelines for stroke care within the Gulf region.

Keywords: assessment; biomarkers; cognition; protocol; stroke; vascular dementia.

©Claire Donnellan, Mona Al Banna, Noor Redha, Adel Al Jishi, Isa Al Sharoqi, Safa Taha, Moiz Bakhiet, Fatema Abdulla, Patrick Walsh. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 28.11.2016.