Improved Cognition and Preserved Hippocampal Fractional Anisotropy in Subjects Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

A growing body of data indicates that extracranial carotid artery disease (ECAD) can contribute to cognitive impairment. However, there have been mixed reports regarding the benefit endarterectomy (CEA) as it relates preserving function. In this work, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and neurocognitive testing are used provide insight into structural functional brain changes occur in subjects with significant stenosis, well response CEA. The study design was a prospective, non-randomized, controlled enrolled patients asymptomatic stenosis. Thirteen had severe ECAD (>70% stenosis at least one artery) were scheduled undergo surgery. <70% therefore not requiring All underwent using Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA) high angular resolution, multi-shell dMRI baseline 4 6 months follow-up. Changes MoCA scores fractional anisotropy (FA) along hippocampus compared At baseline, FA significantly lower ipsilateral without ECAD. these individuals, but did reach statistical significance. follow-up, increased who CEA remained statistically equal control unchanged group decreased group. This suggests improves cognition preserves hippocampal white matter structure undergoing