[Neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment]

The mild cognitive impairment (MCI), has emerged as an identifiable condition and in many cases is an intermediate state preceding diagnosable Alzheimer disease (AD) characterized by acquired cognitive deficits, without significant decline in functional activities of daily living. The aim of this study was to determine both the presence and type of neuropsychiatric manifestations in MCI patients and to compare them with both those suffering from mild AD and normal controls.

86 subjects were assessed, 27 were classified as having MCI, 39 as having presumable mild AD, and 20 normal controls matched by age and education. The Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI-Q) was used to assess the neuropsychiatric manifestations.

The most common symptoms in the MCI group were irritability (55%), dysphoria (44%), apathy (37%), and anxiety (37%). Statistically significant differences were observed between the MCI and control groups regarding the above mentioned symptoms (p0.05). However, the differences between the MCI and mild AD groups were not found to be statistically significant.

MCI is associated with a high rate of neuropsychiatric symptoms (irritability, depression, anxiety and apathy). These symptoms have serious adverse consequences and should be considered in diagnosis criteria.