Assessment of Cognitive Function in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stent Placement

Single Center, Case Controlled design using pre and post stent cognitive function testin.
Patients will serve as self controls to observe the effect, if any, of carotid stent
placement on cognitive function in asymptomatic patients with high grade carotid artery
stenosis

Inclusion Criteria:

- 40-80 years of age

- Right hand dominate

- Asymptomatic:defined as: no symptoms of TIA/stroke in the previous 6 months

- Baseline doppler study with a peak systolic velocity of 400cm/sec

- Patient is deemed candidate for carotid artery stenting

- TIMI flow of 1,2 or 3

- 80% or greater stenosis of distal common or internal carotid artery, as determined
angiographically, as defined in ACAS

- Subjects are able to give informed consent

- Subjects are willing/able to complete follow-up visits

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of major stroke: within the past 6 months

- History of Alzheimers disease or Dementia

- Unable or willing to complete the baseline and 20 days neuro-cognitive testing
planned major surgery within the next 2 months

- Planned intervention opposite carotid artery within 2 months

- Ineligibility for carotid stent procedure due to anatomy, thrombus, or inability to
complete anti-platelet therapy

- Any individual identified with cognitive impairment which would affect their
performance during cognitive testing.