Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
Predictors of clinical outcome in MCI
Leszek Bidzan1, Maria Pachalska, Mariola Bidzan
1Clinic for Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic Disorders and Old Age Psychiatry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Background:
It remains an open issue in old age psychiatry whether or not persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk for developing a dementia syndrome, and if so, to what extent and under what circumstances. The purpose of the present study was to examine a population of older patients 5 years after a diagnosis of MCI.
Material/Methods:
From an initial group of 158 older patients from our clinic who had been tested neuropsychologically and diagnosed with MCI between 1994 and 1996, and who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 were available for follow-up five years later.
Results:
Of the 52 subjects we successfully recruited, 12 had developed dementia within the five-year follow-up period, including 8 with DAT, 3 with mixed dementia, and 1 with vascular dementia. The rate of cognitive decline is a good predictor of later dementia.
Conclusions:
Patients with MCI are at some risk of developing a dementia syndrome, most commonly DAT. Evaluating both the cognitive and neuropsychological functioning of individuals affected with MCI, as well as their global functioning, can be useful in terms of predicting the clinical outcome in these patients.
Insights
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) face a risk of developing dementia, particularly dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Cognitive decline rate predicts future dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Old age psychiatry
- Neurology
- Cognitive neuroscience
Background:
- The risk and circumstances of dementia development in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remain unclear in old age psychiatry.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the long-term outcomes for patients diagnosed with MCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of dementia development in older patients diagnosed with MCI.
- To assess the clinical outcomes five years after an initial MCI diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 158 older patients diagnosed with MCI between 1994-1996 was identified.
- 52 eligible patients were followed up five years post-diagnosis for dementia development and cognitive changes.
Main Results:
- Within the five-year follow-up, 12 out of 52 patients (23%) developed dementia.
- The diagnosed dementias included 8 with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), 3 with mixed dementia, and 1 with vascular dementia.
- The rate of cognitive decline was identified as a significant predictor of subsequent dementia.
Conclusions:
- Patients with MCI have a notable risk of progressing to dementia, most frequently DAT.
- Assessing cognitive, neuropsychological, and global functioning in MCI patients aids in predicting clinical outcomes.
