[Neuropsychological assessment early after stroke--an overview of diagnostic instruments available in German and introduction of a new screening tool].

Stroke-induced neuropsychological sequelae are frequent and highly relevant for the patient's prognosis, so that their diagnostic assessment at an early point in time is highly advisable to allow for the initiation of appropriate treatment. Because stroke patients in the acute and sub-acute phase of a stroke often show a general slowing and restricted resilience, investigation may be limited and is often only manageable by means of instruments that can be used at bedside. Preferably such neuropsychological tests should also be normalised for the target group. An overview of the neuropsychological instruments available in German, which were developed for or applied to stroke patients in the early phases of stroke and rehabilitation, is provided here. One of the nine instruments presented is the newly developed Cologne Neuropsychological Screening for Stroke Patients (German: Kölner Neuropsychologisches Screening für Schlaganfall-Patienten), which is introduced here. The instruments differ in form of investigation, duration, material volume and standardisation. The choice of a particular instrument in a given clinical or scientific context explicitly depends on the diagnostic goal as well as the resilience of the patient. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.