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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

Is mild cognitive impairment prodromal for vascular dementia like Alzheimer's disease?

John Stirling Meyer1, Gelin Xu, John Thornby

  • 1Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Houston, Tex 77030, USA. jmeyer@bcm.tmc.edu

Stroke
|August 3, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can precede vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some VaD subtypes, especially small-vessel disease, show prodromal MCI with similar cognitive deficits to AD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gerontology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increases risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias.
  • Vascular dementia (VaD) subtypes may share neuropathological features with AD, contributing to cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if MCI serves as a prodromal stage for VaD and AD.
  • To characterize the cognitive profiles of MCI preceding VaD and AD.

Main Methods:

  • Serial Mini-Mental State Examinations and annual neuroimaging were used.
  • MCI criteria were applied to assess subtle cognitive dysfunctions.
  • Subjects with MCI were followed for approximately 3.9 years for dementia diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • 25.1% of subjects developed MCI during follow-up.
  • 55.6% of VaD cases had preceding MCI, often small-vessel disease.
  • 47.9% of MCI subjects progressed to AD; VaD and AD after MCI showed similar cognitive impairments.

Conclusions:

  • MCI can precede certain VaD subtypes, particularly those linked to subcortical microvascular disease.
  • Prodromal MCI in these VaD cases shares cognitive domains and progression with AD.

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