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Published on: October 13, 2016
Prediction of transition from cognitive impairment to senile dementia: a prospective, longitudinal study
S Artero1, M C Tierney, J Touchon
1French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, INSERM EMI 9930 Epidemiology of Nervous System Pathologies, Montpellier, France. artero@montp.inserm.fr
Objective:
The purpose of this investigation was to replicate the statistical approach used in a previous investigation (Toronto study) within a French population to determine the best predictive model for Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Method:
Data from neuropsychological tests from two prospective studies were entered into a regression model.
Results:
Replication of the statistical approach in the Montpellier sample produced a three-test model with a specificity of 99% and sensitivity of 73%. This model consisted of a delayed auditory verbal recall test, a construction test, a category fluency test and provides probability estimates for the transition to dementia in individual cases.
Conclusion:
The models derived from these two longitudinal studies provide an empirical basis for the selection of tests for the definition of mild cognitive impairment of the Alzheimer type (MCI-A). The small set of tests derived are suitable for use in general practice.
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