Longitudinal Neurocognitive Trajectories in Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke
Project Overview
The highest lifetime risk of stroke is the week surrounding birth, with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) the most common stroke subtype during this period. Perinatal AIS is an acquired brain injury resulting in cerebrovascular insult to the developing brain; however, to date, there has been no longitudinal research to characterize neurocognitive trajectories (i.e., general thinking skills), and predictors, in perinatal AIS with follow-up at multiple time points across development. Instead, existing research has been cross-sectional and yielded contradictory results due to methodological heterogeneity including small cohorts, varying age at assessment, differing/non-standardized measures, restricted follow-up, and differing stroke subtypes. My novel, large scale, multi-study research will explore neurocognitive trajectories across 1) infancy and early childhood and 2) early and late childhood post perinatal AIS with methodological consistency for children having received longitudinal follow-up at The Hospital for Sick Children. Predictors of neurocognitive trajectories will be examined, including stroke/neurological, demographic, and early intervention factors. Differences in neurocognitive trajectories will be explored between children with neonatal (acute diagnosis; presentation in neonatal period) relative to presumed perinatal (retrospective diagnosis; presentation later in first year) AIS, as well as children who received early intervention relative to those who did not. Improved understanding of neurocognitive trajectories, and risk and protective factors, will inform recovery expectations around whether early deficits resolve, remain stable, or become more pronounced over time. This will inform early intervention planning during this period of neuroplasticity to maximize neurodevelopment.
Principal Investigator
Bianca Bondi , York University
Partners and Donors
Brain Changes Initiative