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Behavioral symptoms in mild cognitive impairment.
H Feldman1, P Scheltens, E Scarpini
1Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. hfeldman@interchange.ubc.ca
Neurology
|April 14, 2004
Summary
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), affecting 59% of individuals. These symptoms indicate a more severe form of MCI, impacting cognitive and functional abilities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia.
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are frequently observed in aging populations and can impact quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
- To determine if neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with the severity of cognitive and functional decline in MCI.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline data from the Investigation in the Delay to Diagnosis of AD with Exelon (InDDEx) study, including 1,010 participants.
- Assessed neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).
- Compared global, cognitive, and functional scores between subjects with (NPI+) and without (NPI-) neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Main Results:
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms were present in 59% of the MCI cohort.
- Subjects with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI+) exhibited significantly greater impairment across global, cognitive, and functional assessments compared to those without (NPI-).
Conclusions:
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms are a prevalent feature in mild cognitive impairment.
- The presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms serves as a significant indicator of increased MCI severity and associated cognitive and functional deficits.