Oxford News
Stroke Cognition Calculator could help predict thinking problems after stroke
The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care research (NIHR), and led by researchers at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences was published in the Lancet Health Longevity.
Many people experience changes in thinking after stroke. This can include difficulties with memory, attention, language, planning, or decision-making. For some, these problems improve over time. For others, they can last much longer and affect day-to-day life, work, relationships, and independence.
There is no single typical recovery pattern for cognition after stroke and families have reported feeling unprepared for these “invisible” effects when someone leaves hospital.
If clinicians can make an earlier and more informed estimate of who is more likely to have longer-term thinking problems, this could help plan more effective support for patients and families.
A team led by Professor Nele Demeyere have created a prediction tool that uses information already collected during a typical hospital stay, including age, gender, severity of the stroke. alongside results from the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS), a short bedside test of thinking skills carried out soon after the stroke and now widely used across the NHS.
Data was collected on an initial 430 participants in Oxford, with the accuracy of the predictions tested by looking at the development data of the same group after six months.
The Stroke Cognition Calculator was 76% accurate in predicting a patient’s cognitive difficulties six months after their stroke, whereas other tools that have been published for the same purpose had a 53%-66% accuracy rate. These previous tools have focused on predicting a decline in thinking skills, whereas the Stroke Cognition Calculator allows for the fact that after stroke cognition can improve or stay stable, giving a more accurate result.
Further testing on an additional 264 participants recruited from 37 hospitals across England looked at how the calculator would apply to patients in different healthcare settings and showed that accuracy of predictions remained similar at 74%.
This research is a major step toward more personalised care post-stroke. By using routinely available data, the tool would be easy and equitable to implement across different health systems. Used appropriately, a Stroke Cognition Calculator could eventually support clinician’s decision making about a patient’s needs following discharge. This could help patients and families understand what to expect, and help services plan the right support at the right time, while recognising that every recovery is different.
The team hope that this study will pave the way for further testing in a wider range of stroke services and patient groups, ultimately looking at whether use of the calculator can improve care and outcomes for patients and families.
First author Andrea Kusec says: ‘The Cognition Calculator has a lot of potential for everyday clinical use because it uses predictors and risk factors that should be in every stroke patient’s medical records, making it affordable and easy to implement. I hope it will lead to more conversations on supporting long-term cognitive outcomes and dealing with uncertainty about future change in thinking skills in people with stroke and their loved ones.’
Professor Nele Demeyere says: ‘Cognitive difficulties after stroke are common and highly varied but predicting who will continue to struggle has been challenging. What makes this model different is that it incorporates information already collected in routine care using the Oxford Cognitive Screen, which is widely adopted within NHS clinical practice. The next step is to test how these predictions can be used responsibly to improve follow-up and support for patients and families.’
The paper, ‘Multidomain post-stroke cognitive impairment: Development and validation of a clinical prediction model’ is published in the Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
READ MORE: Oxford probe launched after ‘shocking assault’ of 60-year-old by teen boys
Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
READ MORE: Police race to ‘fear for welfare’ incident by Oxford BMW factory
“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
READ MORE: Probe launched as Oxford woman ‘assaulted’ in Vauxhall Astra car
On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ amid Oxford attack manhunt
He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
The alert comes ahead of the September ’76 number plate change.
New research from temporary car insurance provider Tempcover reveals that one in five drivers would not check if they were insured before test-driving a vehicle in a private sale.
With more than 4.3 million private used car sales each year in the UK, Tempcover analysis warns that uninsured test drives could top 2 million annually.
The warning follows SMMT Q2 data showing that the UK used car market recorded more than 2 million transactions, including a 67% rise in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales.
Test drives of used electric vehicles are becoming more thorough, with 43% of drivers saying they drive EVs further and for longer than petrol or diesel models, averaging an extra 2.8 miles per test.
This is often to assess battery health and charging capabilities, but driving without insurance remains illegal and carries serious penalties.
What is the punishment for being caught test-driving without correct insurance?
Motorists caught test-driving without valid cover face a £300 fine and six penalty points, or, if prosecuted in court, an unlimited fine, six to eight points, and a criminal record.
Many drivers are unaware that ‘Driving Other Cars’ (DOC) clauses in standard policies rarely cover private test drives.
Tempcover also found that 43% of motorists did not know they could purchase temporary insurance for as little as an hour to stay protected during a test drive.
This marks a sharp rise from an estimated 1.3 million during the September ’75 plate change and 1.5 million during the March ’26 plate change.
Jake Lambert, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “Second-hand electric cars are changing hands at an increasing pace, and buyers looking to grab an EV bargain during the September ’76 number plate change are likely to take longer, diagnostic test drives – covering more miles and driving to public charging points to vet battery performance before handing over their hard earned money.
“These extended test drives make proper insurance coverage even more crucial.
“Private sellers have no legal obligation to insure a buyer, and relying on outdated policy assumptions without verifying cover leaves drivers at risk of taking to the road without valid insurance.
“Securing fully comprehensive, temporary insurance is a simple fix that protects buyers from severe out-of-pocket costs if an accident happens.”
How does the September ’76 number plate change impact this?
UK number plates change twice a year in March and September for newly-registered vehicles, which are associated with different numbers.
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March releases use the last two digits of the year, so 2026 becomes 26, while September releases add 50 to the same figure, turning 2026 into 76.
There is usually a seasonal rush when the new plates comes in which is typically driven by sellers looking to avoid the immediate depreciation that comes with an older registration.
As a result, this period may see an increased period of test drive taking place for private car sales.
Have you checked to see if you have the correct insurance to test-drive a car? Let us know in the comments.
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