Does stroke laterality predict major depression and cognitive impairment after stroke? Two-year prospective evaluation in the EMMA study

Depression and cognitive impairment are common conditions following stroke. We aimed to evaluate stroke laterality as predictor of post-stroke depression (PSD) and cognitive impairment (PCI) in a stroke cohort. Major depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, score ≥ 10) and cognitive impairment (Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, score 3 times, 2 years after stroke. The results support the hypothesis that involvement of networks in the left, but not in the right hemisphere, contribute to long-term cognitive impairment. Lesion laterality did not influence the risk of PSD. •Overall, major depression after stroke had not relationship with stroke laterality.•Right-sided stroke occurs more often than left-sided one, but the last was more associated to a poorer cognition status after stroke.•Left-sided stroke was an independent predictor of a worse cognition along 2 years after stroke event.