Memory disturbance after stroke: frequency and associated losses

138 patients who survived an acute stroke had their memory assessed at 3 months. As a group these patients had no impairment of digit span when compared with published age-matched normal data. Immediate logical memory (of a story) was poor in 29 per cent, and 14 per cent could not draw a picture immediately after seeing it. Poor memory function was not associated with more severe strokes, but was associated with poor functional ability on everyday tasks. Poor visual recall was associated with lower abilities at ADL, independent of any effect of age. Statistically significant recovery was detected in immediate logical memory and visual recall between 3 and 6 months.