Executive Dysfunction and Left Frontal White Matter Hyperintensities Are Correlated with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Stroke Patients with Confluent White Matter Hyperintensities

Abstract

Background/Aims: This study aimed to determine the clinical and neuroimaging correlates of the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in stroke patients with age-related confluent white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Methods: The Neuropsychiatric Inventory was utilized to detect the presence of 12 symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify clinical and neuroimaging correlates of the presence of symptoms. Results: Seventy-seven stroke patients (mean WMH volume: 39.5 cm³) were recruited. Thirty patients (39%) had ≧1 neuropsychiatric symptom. Poor executive function was associated with the presence of any symptoms and symptoms other than depression. More severe left frontal WMH was associated with depression. Conclusion: Executive dysfunction and left frontal WMH are correlated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in these patients.