Effects of post-stroke depression on cognitive and linguistic recovery

The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between functional recovery from stroke and depression. Stroke leads to depression both directly (through the location of the lesion) and indirectly (through decreased functional status and aphasia secondary to stroke). Consequently, depression may limit functional recovery and recovery from aphasia. The relationship between decreased functional status post-stroke and depression appears to be bidirectional and mutually-reinforcing (decreased functional status leads to depression and depression limits functional recovery). Similarly, the relationship between aphasia recovery and depression is likely bidirectional and mutually reinforcing. Antidepressants may be useful in disrupting these relationships and thereby improving functional recovery from stroke.