Stroke impairs associative learning independent of lesion side

Background: Stroke increases the risk of dementia, possibly by a global disintegration of extended cortical networks supporting cognition, or by more localised impairments in cortico-hippocampal connections. After stroke, learning deficits may then be present even before onset of dementia, and might contribute to often poor rehabilitation success. Design: In the present study, 16 chronic stroke patients with infarction in the territory of the middle cerebral artery, but without dementia or aphasia, were compared to 16 healthy controls. Groups were matched for age, education, gender, and vascular risk factors. Al…