Effect of atorvastatin on recovery of cognitive impairment after stroke

Abstract

Objective To observe the protective effect of atorvastatin on the recovery of cognitive impairment after stroke. Methods A total of seventy-eight patients with cognitive impairment after stroke in the department of neurology were selected by the Mini-Mental State Examination,were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 39 cases in each group. All of the patients received routine treatment of stroke,besides,20 mg atorvastatin tablets were given continuously for those in the treatment group after breakfast. Mini-Mental State Examination,National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index was used to examine the functions before treatment,4 and 12 weeks after treatment respectively in both groups. Results The improvement of cognitive function of patients in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group（ t=2 . 449 ,P〈0 . 05 ）. Conclusions Atorvastatin can promote the recovery of cognitive impairment after stroke. Key words: Atorvastatin; Stroke; Cognitive impairment