Post-Stroke Depression

Ricardo E. Jorge, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Robert G. Robinson, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

In most western countries, 0.2 % of the population suffer a stroke each year. One-third of them die over the next year, one- third remain permanently disabled, and the other third make a good recovery. Depression is one of the most common emotional disorders associated with cerebrovascular disease. Longitudinal studies of stroke patients have shown that about 20% of these patients will develop major depression and another 20% will develop minor depression during the first year after stroke. Depression has also been demonstrated to significantly effect clinical recovery and mortality and, more important. Post-stroke depression responds to antidepressant treatment.

Key words: stroke, mood disorders, antidepressants, cognitive disorders, disability.