Post-Stroke Cognition and Mental Health.

Stroke survivors frequently experience cognitive impairment and mental health disorders that substantially limit recovery, participation, and long-term outcomes. Despite their prevalence and impact, these “invisible” sequelae remain under-recognized and inconsistently addressed in routine clinical care. This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the dynamic interplay between post-stroke cognitive deficits and mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, and to identify evidence-based, integrated interventions that improve recovery trajectories. We seek contributions that bridge neurobiology, clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and patient perspectives to inform more comprehensive models of post-stroke care.Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While motor recovery often receives primary clinical focus, cognitive and emotional sequelae remain comparatively under-recognized. Post-stroke cognitive impairment is common, affecting domains such as attention, executive function, memory, and processing speed. Depression occurs in approximately one-third to one-half of stroke survivors, with anxiety and emotional dysregulation also highly prevalent. Increasing evidence supports a bidirectional relationship between these domains: cognitive impairment can hinder coping, engagement, and self-management, while mood and anxiety symptoms negatively influence cognitive performance, neuroplasticity, and participation in rehabilitation. Despite this interdependence, clinical care and research remain largely siloed, and integrated models addressing both cognition and mental health are limited.We welcome original research, systematic reviews, and clinical perspectives addressing:Mechanisms: Neurobiological, behavioral, and psychosocial pathways linking cognitive impairment and mental health after strokeAssessment & Screening: Validated or novel tools for detecting cognitive and emotional changes, including brief and scalable approachesRehabilitation & Interventions: Cognitive rehabilitation, psychotherapy, pharmacologic strategies, and integrated or multimodal care modelsReal-world Impact: Effects on activities of daily living, return to work, participation, and long-term disability outcomesImplementation & Health Systems: Care models, interdisciplinary workflows, and strategies to integrate cognitive and mental health care into routine practiceEquity & Access: Disparities in diagnosis and treatment; culturally responsive and resource-sensitive interventionsCaregiver Perspectives: Impacts on caregivers and family systems, including bidirectional effectsWe are interested in quantitative and qualitative research, case reports, clinical guidelines, and studies incorporating patient-centered outcome measures. Submissions demonstrating rigorous methodology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and relevance to real-world clinical practice are particularly encouraged. Studies focusing on understudied populations, including younger stroke survivors, minoritized groups, and low-resource settings, are strongly encouraged. Topic editors: Jennifer E.S. Beauchamp, John Baratta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79291/post-stroke-cognition-and-mental-health