Abstract: Objective To explore the characters of cognitive dysfunction for first-ever lacunar infarction (LI). Methods 136 first-ever diagnosed LI patients were evaluated with Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS) 72 h, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after attack. The scores were compared with the baseline and those of 76 normal control. Results Memory: during the first 72 h, significant difference was shown between the every location of LI (including the basal ganglia, corona radiate,frontal lobe, temporal lobe,parietal lobe, periventricular location, centrum semiovale, thalamus) and normal control (P<0.05); but between the certain location of LI and that of normal control 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months after attack (P<0.05). Language: there was significant difference between every location of LI and normal control 72 h, 2 weeks and 1 month after attack (P<0.05), but between the certain location of LI and that of normal control 3 and 6 months after attack (P<0.05). Practice: there was significant difference through every visit time point of all the LI patients compared with normal control (P<0.05). Attention: Significant difference (P<0.05) was found between every location LI patients and normal control 72 h after attack, but between certain location LI patients and normal control 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months after attack (P<0.05). Orientation:LI was insufficient to cause to decline in orientation. Conclusion There are mild to severe cognitive dysfunctions in the first-ever diagnosed LI patients, which need pay attention to and intervene in time.

Key words: lacunar infarction, congnitive function, memory, language, practice, attention, orientation