Background: Post ischemic stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is one of the most prevalent complications of ischemic stroke affecting the brain with negative impact on daily activity, quality of life of ischemic stroke survivors, their families and society. These topics are gaining scholarly attention and may indicate to new avenues for action in the prevention and treatment of PSCI so that they have better quality of life. Previous studies about novel diagnostic biomarkers of PSCI are rare. We speculated that circulating retinoic acid (RA) level might be a prognostic biomarker relating to PSCI.

Aim: Early detection of cognitive impairment among patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This prospective cohort study has been carried out in Stroke and Intensive Care Units, Neurology Department, Zagazig Universty Hospitals on patients who develop first ever acute ischemic stroke within 7 days of stroke onset. Retinoic acid was measured in all cases.

Results: Retinoic acid was significantly higher among patients with PSCI compared to patients without. Only lower levels retinoic acid and severe NIHSS were significantly associated factors with PSCI.

Conclusion: In a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke, lower blood RA levels was associated with an increased risk of 3-month PSCI.