Effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on post-stroke cognitive impairment and vascular dementia: A meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2020 Feb 7;15(2):e0227820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227820. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a common complication observed after a stroke. Currently there are no definitively proven pharmacologic therapies for recovery from post-stroke cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of cholinesterase inhibitors in their improvement of cognition in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. We conducted a meta-analysis using seven eligible studies from 305 published articles. We investigated the differences in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores, before and after cholinergic augmentation in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. MMSE and ADAS-cog scores were also compared during the subsequent follow-up periods. MMSE score of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment was increased after cholinergic augmentation throughout the 24 weeks with mean differences [MD] of 3.000, 1.732, 1.578 1.516, and 1.222, at 4, 4-8, 8-12, 12-18, and 18-24 weeks, respectively. In addition, ADAS-cog scores decreased at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks by pharmaceutical augmentation, but not with placebo with mean differences [MD] of -2.333, -2.913, -2.767, -2.416, and -1.859, respectively. This meta-analysis shows that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors maintain a stable pattern of improved cognitive function in patients with post stroke cognitive impairment and vascular dementia without the increased risk of side effects.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / etiology*
  • Dementia, Vascular / drug therapy*
  • Dementia, Vascular / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Status and Dementia Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Stroke / complications*

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.