Neuropsychological Recovery after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

This study examined the effect of demographic and clinical variables on recovery of neuropsychological functioning after SAH. Medical condition and hospital course, including disease severity and complications, were recorded prospectively. Demographics including age, sex, race/ethnicity, primary language, and years of education were obtained via interview. Three and 12 months after the SAH, participants were invited to complete a comprehensive neuropsychological battery in the patient's preferred language, English or Spanish. Overall cognition and 7 cognitive domains were assessed: attention, psychomotor speed, visuospatial skills, language, verbal and visual memory, and executive functions. Psychomotor speed and attention recovered over time. Global mental status 3 months after SAH was the best correlate of neuropsychological functioning at one year. Factors that contributed to greater cognitive impairment after SAH included older age, anterior aneurysm location, amount and location of blood, infarctions, cerebral edema, worse clinical grade, male sex, and not speaking English, but not vasospasm alone. Findings are discussed in relation to current literature.