Poststroke Impulsivity: A Narrative Review

Abstract

In this narrative review, the authors examine the multidimensional nature and presentations of impulsivity after stroke. Impulsivity manifests as immediate or premature responses, impaired delayed gratification, perseverance despite punishment, and other displays of impaired emotional and behavioral regulation. The literature on the assessments, outcomes, and treatment of patients with these various manifestations after a cerebrovascular injury is reviewed. Findings from case reports indicate that poststroke impulsivity may manifest across neurobehavioral syndromes that are not well defined in the psychiatric nomenclature, such as alien hand syndrome and atypical impulse control disorders. Overall, impulse control disorders appear to be rare poststroke. Therapeutic approaches for poststroke impulsivity require further evidence. The field would benefit from refinement of impulsivity definitions and integration with psychiatric nomenclature.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular disease; Impulse control disorder; Impulsivity treatments; Neuropsychiatric diagnosis; Poststroke impulsivity; Stroke rehabilitation.