Kunying Zhao

1 Introduction Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) affects a substantial proportion of stroke survivors, undermining independence, quality of life, and long-term prognosis (El Husseini et al. 2023; Rost et al. 2022). Despite guideline attention, clinically actionable tools for early and accurate PSCI risk stratification remain limited (El Husseini et al. 2023; Rost et al. 2022; Filler et al. 2024).

1 Introduction Depression is primarily characterized by enduring and pronounced feelings of low mood, diminished interest, decreased energy and impaired cognitive functioning [1, 2]. Patients also exhibit a high relapse rate. In China, an estimated 95 million people struggle with depression, which is increasingly affecting younger generations. As the pace of modern society accelerates and social competition intensifies, the incidence of depression is expected to increase.

1 Introduction Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in modern society, ranking as one of the leading causes of mental illness worldwide and a major contributor to disability [1, 2]. The primary clinical symptoms of depression include persistent low mood, feelings of hopelessness, and cognitive difficulties such as difficulty concentrating and making decisions [3, 4].