Neuropsychometric Outcome After Carotid Endarterectomy

The purpose of this study is to determine how well patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy will perform on a battery of tests to assess brain function before and after surgery as compared to a control group of patients undergoing spine surgery. This study will serve to: (a) determine incidence of neurologic/neuropsychometric change in patients undergoing carotid artery surgery, and (b) to ascertain the time it takes for these changes to resolve.