Among cerebrovascular diseases, cerebral infarction is one of the most severe forms with a frequency of ischemic strokes. Forecasting the long-term consequences of ischemic strokes remains difficult and controversial.

The purpose of the study is to determine the features of cognitive functions in patients with ischemic stroke, taking into account the course of the disease, the size of the ischemic focus, and the severity of the stroke.

105 people with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar pool were included in the study. Research groups were formed depending on the catamnesis, type of ischemic stroke, size of the ischemic lesion, and severity of the stroke. The state of cognitive functions was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

The largest number of patients, regardless of the type of ischemic stroke, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (80.95 %), while the smallest number had severe impairment (4.76 %), while the severity of the stroke was associated with an increase in the severity of cognitive impairment in patients, who suffered an ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar pool (r = –0.43; p < 0.001). As the size of the stroke center increases, cognitive disorders increase in patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar pool (r = –0.52; p < 0.001).r = –0,43; p < 0,001). With an increase in the size of the stroke focus, cognitive impairment increases in patients with ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar basin (r = –0,52; p < 0,001).

When comparing the obtained results of the MoCA test by rubrics, the lowest values of the MoCA test were established for the size of the stroke over 100 cm3 in the analysis of visual and constructive skills, naming, memory, attention to speech and orientation in relation to the smaller size of the lesion; with a severe degree of stroke when analyzing visual and constructive skills, naming, memory, attention and orientation in relation to a mild degree of stroke severity. Catamnesis in patients who suffered an ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar pool affected visual-constructive skills, which probably decreased after 3 years to the values of the index in the subacute period.

The development of cognitive disorders in patients with ischemic stroke is related to the severity of the stroke upon admission and the size of the lesion.