Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious central nervous system disease. Post-IS complications, such as post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), post-stroke depression (PSD), hemorrhagic transformation (HT), gastrointestinal dysfunction, cardiovascular events, and post-stroke infection (PSI), result in neurological deficits. The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) facilitates bidirectional signal transduction and communication between the intestines and the brain. Recent studies have reported alterations in gut microbiota diversity post-IS, suggesting the involvement of gut microbiota in post-IS complications through various mechanisms such as bacterial translocation, immune regulation, and production of gut bacterial metabolites, thereby affecting disease prognosis. In this review, to provide insights into the prevention and treatment of post-IS complications and improvement of the long-term prognosis of IS, we summarize the interaction between the gut microbiota and IS, along with the effects of the gut microbiota on post-IS complications.

BACKGROUND: Branch atheromatous disease (BAD)–related stroke has emerged as a meaningful subtype of ischemic stroke yet remained understudied. We aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics of BAD-related stroke. METHODS: The BAD-study was a nationwide, multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study in 20 Chinese hospitals from June 2021 to June 2023, enrolling patients aged 18 to 80 years with BAD-related stroke within 72 hours of onset. Eligible single subcortical infarct in the territory of lenticulostriate artery and paramedian pontine artery was included. Clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were collected at baseline. The primary outcome was a proportion of good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2) at 90 days. Main secondary outcomes included early neurological deterioration (END), cerebrovascular event, major bleeding, and excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–1) during 90-day follow-up. RESULTS: We finally enrolled 476 patients, with a median age of 60 (interquartile range, 53–68) years, and 70.2% were male. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 3 (interquartile range, 2–6) at enrollment. Involvement of the lenticulostriate artery was more common than the paramedian pontine artery (60.7% versus 39.3%). END occurred in 14.7% of patients, with a median time from onset of 38 (interquartile range, 22–62) hours. The rates of good and excellent outcomes were 86.5% and 72%, respectively. Its 90-day stroke recurrence rate was 1.9%. Acute-phase therapy (from onset to 7 days of enrollment) showed heterogeneity and was not associated with prognosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4 at admission and END as negative predictors and extracranial artery stenosis as a positive predictor of good outcomes. Age ≥60 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4 at admission, and END were negative predictors of excellent outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: With distinct demographic, clinical, and prognostic characteristics, along with a high incidence of END and a low risk of stroke recurrence, BAD-related stroke could be categorized as a separate disease entity. Moreover, its acute-phase treatment strategies were undetermined, awaiting further high-quality studies.

Objective: To investigate the effects of sleep disorders on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and other factors affecting post-stroke cognitive impairment.Methods: A total of 1,542 first-ever stroke inpatients in department of neurology of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from 2015.6.1 to 2016.12.31. We recorded the personal history of patients. The MMSE (mini-mental state examination), MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), HAMD (Hamilton Depression Scale), BI (Barthel index), mRS (Modified Rankin Scale), PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), Berlin questionnaire, nocturnal TST (total sleep time) were assessed before discharge. All patients were followed up at 3 months, 6 months, and 4 years (2019–2020) after stroke. During follow-up, the above scales should be evaluated again to assess the sleep status and cognitive function of patients at that time.Results: Nocturnal TST (>8 h) (OR 3.540, 95% CI 1.692–7.406, P = 0.001) was a risk factor for cognitive impairment 3 months after stroke. Nocturnal TST (<7 h) (OR 6.504, 95% CI 3.404–12.427, P < 0.001) was a risk factor for cognitive impairment 6 months after stroke. Low sleep quality (OR 2.079, 95% CI 1.177–3.672, P = 0.012), sleepiness (OR 3.988, 95% CI 1.804–8.818, P = 0.001), nocturnal TST (<7 h) (OR 11.334, 95% CI 6.365–20.183, P < 0.001), nocturnal TST (>8 h) (OR 4.096, 95% CI 1.682–9.975, P = 0.002) were risk factors for cognitive impairment 4 years after stroke. The prevalence of cognitive impairment with TIA were 79.3% at admission, 68.1% at 3-months follow-up, 62.1% at 6-months follow-up and 52.2% at 4-year follow-up.Conclusion: Long or short nocturnal TST (8 h) was a risk factor for cognitive impairment after stroke (3 months, 6 months and 4 years). Poor sleep quality and sleepiness were shown to be risk factors for cognitive impairment at 4-year follow-up. Cognitive impairment was very common in patients with TIA.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of sleep disorders on the prognosis of neurological function after stroke and other factors affecting the prognosis after stroke.Method: We designed a cohort study. A total of 1,542 patients with their first stroke were hospitalized in the department of neurology of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from 2015.6.1 to 2016.12.31. We recorded the personal histories of patients. The MMSE (mini-mental state examination), MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), HAMD (Hamilton Depression Scale), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, mRS (Modified Rankin Scale), BI (Barthel Index), PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), Berlin questionnaire, and nocturnal TST (Total sleep time) were assessed before discharge, 3 months, 6 months, and 4 years (2019–2020) after stroke.Result: Low sleep quality (OR 2.019, 95%CI 1.199–3.398, p = 0.008), nocturnal TST (8 h) (OR 5.928, 95% CI 2.134–16.464, p = 0.001) were risk factors for poor neurological function recovery at 3 months after stroke. Nocturnal TST (8 h) (OR 11.559, 95%-CI 2.108–63.390, p = 0.005) were risk factors for poor neurological function at 6 months after stroke. Nocturnal TST (8 h) (OR 2.516, 95% CI 1.080–5.861, p = 0.033) were risk factors for poor neurological function at 4 years after stroke. High risk of OSA (HR 1.582, 95%CI 1.244–2.012, p < 0.001) was a risk factor for all-cause death in patients followed up for 4 years after stroke.Conclusion: Low sleep quality is associated with short-term poor neurological function after stroke. Unusual nocturnal TST (long or short) is associated with short-term or long-term poor neurological function after stroke. A high risk of OSA is associated with a higher risk of all-cause death after stroke.

Objective: Few data are available on the prevalence of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) in rural China. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CIND in individuals aged 60 years and older in a large rural community, and to analyze the associated risk factors. Methods: A two-phase, door-to-door epidemiological study was used for residents aged 60 years and older in Ji County, a rural county near Tianjin in Northern China. In phase 1 of the study, the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were administered for screening purposes. In phase 2, the subjects who screened positive were further examined by neurologists. A total of 5,744 individuals underwent the home visit interview, where demographic variables and comorbidities were recorded; 5,550 individuals completed the two phases. CIND was diagnosed by the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study on CIND criteria. The odds ratio (OR) for each risk factor was calculated by logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of CIND among those aged 60 years and older was 23.3%. The prevalence of CIND was lower among those with a higher level of education or social involvement. CIND was more prevalent in females, older individuals, those with a past history of stroke, and those living without a partner. Significant risk factors were found by multivariate analyses: past history of stroke (OR = 1.889; 95% CI: 1.437-2.483); being female (OR = 1.546; 95% CI: 1.305-1.832); and having no partner (divorced, widowed or single; OR = 1.250; 95% CI: 1.042-1.499). In turn, level of education (OR = 0.560; 95% CI: 0.460-0.681) and engagement in social activities (OR = 0.339; 95% CI: 0.258-0.404) were protective factors. Conclusions: This is the first large-scale community-based epidemiological study assessing the prevalence of cognitive loss in the rural Chinese population. The total prevalence of CIND observed was 23.3%, which was higher than in other studies in Western and Asian countries. Living without a partner, female gender and previous stroke increased the risk of CIND, whereas a higher level of education and engagement in social activities reduced the risk of CIND.