4 Accelerated Long-Term Forgetting in Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

Objective:

Long-term forgetting rates may be more sensitive for detecting memory decrements compared to short-delay memory assessments (e.g., after 20-30 minutes). To date, much research has been performed on accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) in epilepsy patients, but research in other patient groups is lacking. ALF may be promising in the field of cerebrovascular disease, as many of these patients experience cognitive complaints, yet do not show impaired performances on neuropsychological assessments.

Participants and Methods:

Here, I will present empirical findings on ALF in individuals after a TIA/minor stroke (n=30) and after stroke (n=91) using short- (20-30 min) and long-delay (1-week) memory testing.

Results:

After TIA/minor stroke, short-delay (2030 min) memory testing was unimpaired, but 1-week delayed testing showed an impaired performance compared to stroke-free controls. In the stroke group, ALF was present in 17% of the patients, compared to stroke-free controls, but more prevalent than rapid forgetting after short-delay memory testing.

Conclusions:

ALF is present in patients with cerebrovascular disease, despite normal acquisition rates. The relation with neuroimaging findings and the clinical relevance of these results will be discussed.