%0 Case Reports
%T A - 77 Case Study of Bilateral Thalamic Infarction with Persistent Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms.
%A Matyi J
%A O'Hara J
%A Castellon MG
%A Phatak V
%J Arch Clin Neuropsychol
%V 38
%N 7
%D 2023 Oct 20
%M 37807221
%F 3.448
%R 10.1093/arclin/acad067.094
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Bilateral thalamic infarction due to artery of Percheron (AOP) occlusion is rare (0.01-2% of all ischemic strokes) and neuropsychological sequelae are not well-defined. We present the case of a 50-year-old, right-handed, Caucasian woman, with 12 years of education, who presented with cognitive and behavioral symptoms following AOP stroke.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Following AOP stroke, the patient experienced seven-day hospitalization and one-month subacute rehabilitation. Symptoms after discharge from the latter included vertical gaze palsy, mild balance difficulties, impulsivity, and amnesia (retrograde and anterograde). Compared to neuroimaging five days after stroke, follow up imaging at three months revealed bilateral thalamic encephalomalacia (Figure 1), as well as small bilateral cerebellar infarcts. Neuropsychology was consulted six months post-stroke to evaluate persistent cognitive and emotional/behavioral symptoms.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>(Test results in Table 1). Test results demonstrated average estimated premorbid functioning, amnesia (anterograde and retrograde) and executive dysfunction (including emotional lability, stimulus bound behaviors), which interfered with performances on processing speed and verbal fluency tasks. Attention, working memory, and core language/visuospatial skills were spared. These symptoms contributed to difficulty navigating/exacerbation of psychosocial stress and necessitated external support for daily functions. Neuropsychological evaluation data were used to identify strategies to optimize patient coping and reduce caregiver burnout. At 16-months post-stroke, persistent amnesia and reduced emotional lability were reported by her family.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This case highlights the presence and need to characterize cognitive and behavioral deficits following bilateral thalamic infarction. Additionally, this case demonstrates the role of neuropsychology in characterization of cognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae, including identification of relevant interventions/recommendations to inform treatment planning.