Correlation Between Internal Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness and Cognitive Function In Patients With and Without Cognitive Impairment Following Ischemic Stroke

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a frequent complication of ischemic stroke and is strongly influenced by vascular factors such as atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been proposed as a non-invasive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cognitive decline. This study analyzed the association between internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (ICA-IMT) and cognitive function in post-ischemic stroke patients. A total of 60 patients with ischemic stroke at the Neurology Department of RSUP Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Makassar, were enrolled between July and August 2025. Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina), and ICA-IMT was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. The results showed that 41.7% of participants had cognitive impairment, and a strong negative correlation was found between CIMT and MoCA-Ina scores (r = −0.664, p < 0.001). Dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease were significantly associated with abnormal CIMT, while diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not. Older age was also significantly related to cognitive impairment. These findings highlight CIMT as both a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cognitive decline in post-ischemic stroke patients, supporting the use of carotid ultrasound screening to detect early risk and optimize long-term outcomes.